SWCS AND CPESC:An Evolving and Productive

Partnership

69th SWCS International Annual ConferenceJuly 29, 2014Lombard, IL

Earl Norton, CPESC, Auburn, ALSWCS -AL Chapter, CPESC Committee Chair

SWCS Liaison to CPESC Division, EnviroCert Int., Inc.earl_norton@yahoo.com 334.728.4107

SWCS – AL Chapter Current Activities

Provides continuing education for credentialed professionals (CPESCs, PEs, PGs, CCAs)

Supports state-wide erosion and sediment control program with state agency and partners

Supports CPESCs – exam review course & exams

Supports water festivals – judges & cash prizes

Sponsors 2 student chapters

Looking back at Chapter Membership

1982Downward trend in membership

during l970’s and early 1980’s

Merged North AL and South AL Chapters in 1982 - trend continued

Trend changed after mid-90’s Why??

Membership increased in 1990’s

Momentum began in 1995 Chapter began support of Certified

Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC)

• Provided CPESC exam tutorial and CPESC exam at annual meeting (4 CPESCs before meeting and added 4)

• Established CPESC Committee

1996Began Continuing Education For CPESCs (½ day study trip before Annual Meeting)

1997Added Continuing EducationFor Certified Crop Advisors (½ day seminar before Annual Meeting)

2001 Spin-offs from Expanding Continuing Ed1. Chapter developed strategic plan

2. Extended annual meeting from 1 day to Wed 1/2 day, Th all day, Fri 1/2 day, only 2 hours non-technical (business meeting)

3. Developed vision plan for state-wide erosion and sediment control program with state natural resources agency – more info later

4. Sponsored Auburn University student chapter

More Spin-offs from Expanding Continuing Ed

2002 Began supporting water festivals

2003Sponsored Alabama A&M student chapter

2011Sponsored Tuskegee student chapter

The Chapter in 2014

• About 105 members

• Annual meeting – 50 + -- supported annually by IECA SE Chapter- PDHs for CCAs, CPESCs, PEs, PG

• Supporting - state-wide ESC program - CCAs - CPESCs (100+) - Water festivals - Student chapters

A Typical Chapter Annual Meeting Program“Managing Our Landscapes for Multiple Uses”

Wednesday afternoon program- Keynote (on meeting title) - The Municipal Approach - The Ag Approach - The Forestry Approach - Wetlands – Functions and Values - Wetlands – Regulations - Mitigation Banking - Constructed Wetlands

Thursday field day and Friday technical session followed the theme

Chapter Support of Statewide Erosion and Sediment Control Program

• Chapter developed vision plan

• Signed MOU with AL Soil and Water Conservation Committee - funded in September 2001

• Chapter provides Coordinator

• Chapter Administers funds - 319 grant funds since 2001-2011 = $455,500- State funding currently $50,000/year- Revolving funds for Field Days, Handbooks,

and Field Guides

• Handbook for Erosion Control, Sediment Control and Stormwater Management

• Field Guide for Erosion and Sediment Control on Construction Sites

• Clear Water AL Seminars and Field Days

• Brochure “Let’s Look at Sediment”

Significant Activities

Chapter and AL Soil and Water Conservation Committee and partners

All activities important to CPESCs

Chapter hosts CPESC Exam Review Course and Exam twice a year

Chapter has 3 “CPESC Approved Instructors” One member is CPESC Regional Rep., also

CPESC Area Rep. for AL

Over 100 CPESCs in Alabama - most came through the Chapter Course and Exam

AL Chapter’s direct

support to CPESCs

CPESC recognized by AL environmental regulatory agency as “Qualified Professional”

This gives high value to CPESCs in Nonpoint Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater construction work

Importance of

CPESC Certification in

Alabama

Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee and Partners provide

Field Guide for Erosion and Sediment Control on Construction Sites, August 2004

• Contains most of Handbook Volume 2

• A few available free at local soil and water conservation district offices or

• Available for purchased from AL Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society: order form at www.swcc.state.al.us

Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee and Partners provide

Seminars – 36 since November 2003

Over 2,600 participants

24 through Auburn University Engineering continuing education program

1 through Tuskegee University

9 through Clear Water Alabama

2 with other partners

Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee and Partners provide Clear Water Alabama Field Days

2004 – 2013

Conservation district co-sponsors

Autauga (3), Baldwin (3),

Coffee (2), Cullman,

Jefferson (5), Lee (2),

Madison (2), Mobile,

Morgan, and Tuscaloosa Soil & Water Conservation

Districts

22 events, over 3200 participants

CPESC : The past 32 years (1982 – 2014)

1982 - SWCS leadership blessed formation of CPESC

• Central Coast Section of the CA Chapter started development of the program

• Supported by the CA Association of Conservation Districts

• CPESC Program announced by SWCS in Dec-Jan 1981 issue of ConservaGram

1994 – IECA (International Erosion Control Association) became official co-sponsor

CPESC : The past 32 years: 1982 – 2014

2000 – CPESC Council voted to incorporate as CPESC, Inc.

2001 – SWCS transferred program to CPESC , Inc.

2001 – Office of CPESC, Inc. relocated to Marion, NC

2013 – CPESC, Inc. became a Division of EnviroCert International, Inc.

CPESC : The past 32 years: 1982 – 2014

Growth of CPESC registrants – U.S. 1988 – 500

2000 – 850

2005 – 1,800

2010 – 3,700

2014 – 4,900

Opportunities for SWCS Chapters

• Offer CPESC Exam Review Course

• Proctor CPESC Exams

• Offer continuing education programs for CPESCs and others

• Establish CPESC Erosion and Sediment Control Committee

• Market SWCS to CPESCs in their state

• = new members & better annual meetings

SWCS AND CPESC:An Evolving and Productive Partnership

Thank you!

Questions?

Earl Norton, CPESC, Auburn, AL July 29, 2014CPESC Committee Chair, SWCS -AL Chapter

SWCS Liaison to CPESC Division, EnviroCert Int., Inc. earl_norton@yahoo.com 334.728.4107

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