New Classes Announced!

By desconsultants | Published: July 10, 2010

Environmental Training

Level 1A Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control “Certified Personnel”

The Level 1A Fundamentals Seminar is a one day course designed to train contractors, builders, developers, site superintendents, grading and utility contractors, and monitoring consultants in the proper installation, maintenance, and inspection of BMPs on construction sites.

Topics covered in this course are fundamentals of erosion and sediment control, the Georgia Erosion & Sedimentation Act, NPDES Permits, field maintenance, stream buffers, vegetative and structural BMP practices.

Upcoming Dates for Level 1A Course:

Wed: Sept 29 / 8:30am-5:30pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga

Contact: Registration deadline is 3 business days before the class starts.

For additional information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at
sreid@desconsulants.com

Register

Level 1B Advanced Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control
“Certified Inspector”

The Level 1B Advanced Fundamentals Seminar is a two day course designed to train regulatory enforcement inspectors and non-regulatory personnel inspectors contracted to do regulatory work to accurately inspect land disturbance areas for compliance with state erosion and sedimentation laws. The course will cover several topics such as the role of the inspector, ES&PC planning and review, and local program overview criteria.

In order to take this class you must have completed 60 days work experience in the field of erosion and sediment control, or have obtained the Level 1A certification.

Upcoming Dates for Level 1B Course:

NO CLASSES SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME

For additional
Information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at sreid@desconsulants.com

Level II Introduction to Design
“Certified Design Professional” or “Certified Plan Reviewer”

Level II Introduction to Design is a two day course to train both plan reviewers and design professionals. Topics included in this course include those in the Level 1 courses plus design and review of Erosion, Sedimentation, and Pollution Control Plans.

In order to take this class as a Plan Designer you must provide proof of professional licensure in the field of engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, forestry, geology, land surveying or CPESC.

In order to take this class as a Plan Reviewer you must have completed at least 6 months of work experience in the field of erosion and sediment control, or have obtained the Level 1B certification.

Upcoming Dates for Level II Course:

Thurs & Fri: Nov 11-12 / 8:30am-5:30pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Contact: Registration deadline is 3 business days before the class starts. For additional
Information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at sreid@desconsulants.com

Register

Certified Subcontractor Awareness Seminar

The Subcontractor Awareness Seminar is a two hour seminar with no exam that is designed to give individuals working in a subcontractor capacity an overview of erosion and sedimentation, the impacts erosion and sedimentation have on the environment, minimal vegetative and structural Best Management Practices (BMPs), and laws governing erosion and sedimentation.

The Subcontractor Awareness seminar is required for individuals involved in land disturbing activities working in a subcontractor capacity under a primary, secondary or tertiary permittee. Common subcontractors include, but are not limited to: grading personnel, landscapers, well drilling personnel, plumbers, and electricians.

Upcoming Dates for Subcontractor Awareness Seminar:

NO CLASSES SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME

For additional
Information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at sreid@desconsulants.com

Re-Certification of all Levels (1A, 1B, II)

Four (4) hours of updates and new materials provided by the state as applicable to each of the separate levels of certification. These courses can be taken only within 1 year prior to the expiration date on your certification card.

Upcoming Dates for Recertification of Level 1A:

Fri: Sept 17 / 8:30am-12:30pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Register

Fri: Nov 4 / 8:30am-12:30pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Register

Thurs: Dec 9 / 8:30am-12:30pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Register

Contact: Registration deadline is 3 business days before the class starts. For additional Information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at sreid@desconsulants.com

Upcoming Dates for Recertification of Level 1B:

Oct 12 / 8:30am-12:30pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Contact: Registration deadline is 3 business days before the class starts. For additional
Information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at sreid@desconsulants.com

Register

Upcoming Dates for Recertification of Level II:

Wed: Oct 12 / 1:00pm-5:00pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.

Register

Fri: Dec 9 / 1:00pm-5:00pm

Trainer: Jeret R Elwell, CPESC Location: Peachtree City, Ga.


Register

Contact: Registration deadline is 3 business days before the class starts. For additional Information contact Shelly Reid at 770-631-1555 or email at sreid@desconsulants.com

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Administrator Jackson Tours Areas Potentially Impacted by BP Spill

By desconsultants | Published: May 4, 2010

WASHINGTON – EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson is touring areas in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana that could be impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico today and tomorrow.

Today, Administrator Jackson joined U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for an overflight of the oil spill, and a meeting with state and local officials.  Later today, the Administrator will tour a stretch of the Mississippi coastline that could be impacted by the spill and hold a community meeting in Waveland, Miss. to discuss the spill and the government’s response. The Administrator will also visit EPA employees at a mobile air monitoring station that EPA has established in the area.

Tomorrow, the Administrator will hold an 8:30 a.m. meeting with community leaders in New Orleans. The Administrator will also tour Plaquemines Parish in New Orleans and meet with representatives of the fishing, oyster and shrimping industries. Additional details on those visits will be released as they become available.

April 30, 2010

4:00 p.m. CST              Administrator Jackson Holds Community Meeting

Leo Seals Community Center

527 Hwy 90

Waveland, Miss.

May 1, 2010

8:30 a.m. CST               Administrator Jackson Holds Community Meeting

Greater Little Zion Baptist Church

5130 Chartres St.

New Orleans, La.

R138

Note: If a link above doesn’t work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.

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EPA Establishes Web site on BP Oil Spill

By desconsultants | Published: May 4, 2010

EPA launches site to inform the public about health, environmental impacts of spill

WASHINGTON – As part of the ongoing federal response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, EPA today established a website to inform the public about the spill’s impact on the environment and the health of nearby residents. The website – http://www.epa.gov/bpspill – will contain data from EPA’s ongoing air monitoring along with other information about the agency’s activities in the region. Also today, Administrator Jackson joined Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to tour the region. The Administrator will spend the next 36 hours visiting with community groups and meeting EPA staff responding to the spill.

Additional information on the broader response from the U.S. Coast Guard and other responding agencies is available at:  http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com

“We are taking every possible step to protect the health of the residents and mitigate the environmental impacts of this spill,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. “For several days, EPA has been on the ground evaluating air and water concerns and coordinating with other responding agencies.  We are also here to address community members — the people who know these waters and wetlands best.  They will be essential to the work ahead.”

EPA has established air monitoring stations along Plaquemines Parish on the Louisiana coast. EPA established those facilities to determine how oil set on fire in the gulf and oil that is reaching land is impacting air quality. EPA is monitoring levels of a number of chemicals potentially emitted by oil, including volatile organic compounds such as xylene, benzene and toluene.

EPA has also deployed two Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzers – mobile laboratories that collect and analyze air quality samples in real time – to monitor air quality in the region.

EPA tested smoke from the controlled burn two days ago and found the Louisiana coast had not been affected because an off-shore breeze was blowing away from land and out to sea during that time. The agency will continue to collect and share data with the public, and will coordinate and share information with local health officials.

In addition to monitoring air quality, EPA is also assessing the coastal waters affected by the spreading oil. EPA deployed our twin-engine aircraft to assist in the collection of air sampling data and photograph the spill and surrounding area.

All of the data EPA collects will be posted to http://www.epa.gov/bpspill , along with frequently asked questions, fact sheets about potential health impacts of the spill, and links to more information on the spill and the government’s response.

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EPA to Cut Mercury, Other Toxic Emissions from Boilers, Solid Waste Incinerators

By desconsultants | Published: May 4, 2010

Cost-effective proposals would reduce harmful air pollution in communities across the United States

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing proposals that would cut U.S. mercury emissions by more than half and would significantly cut other pollutants from boilers, process heaters and solid waste incinerators. These pollutants include several air toxics which are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health problems and environmental damage. The proposed rules are estimated to yield more than 5 dollars in public health benefits for every dollar spent.

“Strong cuts to mercury and other harmful emissions will have real benefits for our health and our environment, spur clean technology innovations and save American communities billions of dollars in avoided health costs,” said EPA  Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “This is a cost-effective, commonsense way to protect our health and the health of our children, and get America moving into the clean economy of the future.”

Combined, these proposals would cut annual mercury emissions from about 200,000 industrial boilers process heaters and solid waste incinerators, slashing overall mercury emissions by more than 50 percent. Industrial boilers and process heaters are the second largest source of mercury emissions in the United States.

Mercury can damage children’s developing brains and nervous systems even before they are born. When emitted to the air, mercury eventually settles in water, where it can change into methylmercury, which builds up in ocean and freshwater fish and can be highly toxic to people who eat the fish. This sometimes leads to fish consumption advisories to protect public health.

When fully implemented, today’s proposal would yield combined health benefits estimated at $18 to $44 billion annually. These benefits include preventing between 2,000 and 5,200 premature deaths, and about 36,000 asthma attacks a year. Estimated annual costs of installing and operating pollution controls required under these rules would be $3.6 billion.

These actions cover emissions from two types of combustion units. The first type of unit, boilers and process heaters, burns fuel such as natural gas, coal, and oil to produce heat or electricity. These units can also burn non-hazardous secondary materials such as processed tires and used oil. Boilers are located at large industrial facilities and smaller facilities, including commercial buildings, hotels, and universities. The second type of unit, commercial and industrial solid waste incinerators, burns solid waste.

Large boilers and all incinerators would be required to meet emissions limits for mercury and other pollutants. Facilities with boilers would also be required to conduct energy audits to find cost effective ways to reduce fuel use and emissions. Smaller facilities, such as schools, with some of the smallest boilers, would not be included in these requirements, but they would be required to perform tune-ups every two years.

EPA is also proposing to identify which non-hazardous secondary materials would be considered solid waste and which would be considered fuel. This distinction would determine whether a material can be burned in a boiler or whether it must be burned in a solid waste incinerator. The agency is also soliciting comment on several other broader approaches that would identify additional non-hazardous secondary materials as solid waste when burned in combustion units.

EPA will take comment on these proposed rules for 45 days after they are published in the Federal Register. EPA will hold a public hearing on these rules soon after they are published in the Federal Register. For more information on the proposals and details on the pubic hearings: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/combustion

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EPA Requires Contractors to Become Lead-Safe Certified

By desconsultants | Published: April 9, 2010

Agency expects more than 125,000 contractors to be trained by April 22 deadline

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it expects more than 125,000 renovation and remodeling contractors to be trained in lead-safe work practices by April 22, the effective date for a rule requiring such training. The agency is on target to implement the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which will protect millions of children from lead poisoning, on
April 22, 2010. Read More »

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Clean Water Continues to Be a Focus Point at EPA

By desconsultants | Published: March 18, 2010

The folks at the EPA are serious about enacting new legislation and enforcement relating to water pollution.  They are asking for input from water professionals around the country.  This is a chance for those who want things done right to have an impact on future regulation.  Clean water is an important issue, but it can be achieved without adding to the level of bureaucracy already in place.  See the link in the article below to join the discussion.

Read More »

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EPA Announces Environmental Justice Video Contest: Faces of the Grassroots

By desconsultants | Published: March 3, 2010

The following was announced March 1st in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Daily Digest Bulletin:

“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is sponsoring an environmental justice video contest that challenges professional or aspiring filmmakers to create videos that capture the faces of the environmental justice movement. The Faces of the Grassroots contest is an opportunity to publicly exhibit creativity with environmental justice stories, and connect with others working to raise awareness of the movement.”

What does this mean?  It means the EPA is giving monetary prizes to people for developing short informational videos or public service announcements focusing on any environmental justice activity, issue, or topic.  Granted, the amounts are small and range from $500 to $2,500.  In fact, this might be seen as a cost saving exercise since developing professional advertising is much more expensive.  Looking at it from a different perspective, why is the EPA advertising at all?  While the prize money amount is miniscule compared to the national debt, imagine all of the bureaucracy behind this effort and what it costs.

Read the full text of the announcement here.  To see another example of what the EPA is spending money on, check out EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s Facebook page.

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EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson Responds to Senators Regarding Greenhouse Gases

By desconsultants | Published: March 1, 2010

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has issued a response to a request by eight U.S. Senators about the Agency’s plans for 2010.  The letter addresses the time frame for addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the impact of Senator Lisa Murkowski’s resolution of disapproval of EPA’s endangerment finding on the light-duty vehicle standard and the historic agreement among states, automakers, the federal government, and other stakeholders.  She goes on to say that a vote to vitiate (make legally defective or invalid) the greenhouse-gas endangerment finding would be viewed as a vote to reject the scientific work of the thirteen U.S. government departments that contribute to the U.S. Global Change Research Program.  She also says that this would be viewed by many as a vote to move the United States to a position behind that of China on the issue of climate change, and more in line with the position of Saudi Arabia.

This is evidently Administrator Jackson’s own view as she states the following, “After the EPA staff conducted a comprehensive survey of the soundest available science and carefully reviewed hundreds of thousands of public comments, I determined last December that greenhouse-gas emissions do endanger Americans’ health and welfare.”  She assures the Senators that she will ensure that no stationary source will be required to get a Clean Air Act permit to cover its greenhouse gas emissions in calendar year 2010.  Permit requirements will be phased in beginning in calendar year 2011.  The largest stationary sources will be required to apply for permits in 2011 with the smallest sources not being subject to permitting until 2016 at the soonest.  Whether a phasing in of permitting over the next six years will make this any more palatable to affected businesses remains to be seen.  The full text of Ms. Jackson’s letter can be found on the EPA website along with her recent statement at a legislative hearing on EPA’s 2011 Budget Proposal

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Will Algae Solve the Pentagon’s Jet Fuel Problem?

By desconsultants | Published: February 18, 2010

The latest news on the biofuel front is that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) claims that algae is going to solve the Pentagon’s jet fuel problem.  Darpa says it is just months away from producing a jet fuel from algae for the same cost as its fossil-fuel equivalent. While researchers have been able to turn pond scum and seaweed into fuel, they have not found a cost-effective method to do so.  Predictions for operation of a larger scale refining operation range anywhere from 2011 to 2013.

The history of biofuel development has been fraught with problems as researchers have touted many sources including corn and other vegetable oils, wood based products, and even kudzu as the answer to the energy crisis.  Is algae the latest in a long line of impractical solutions or is it really the answer?  Only time will tell.

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Proposed National Rulemaking to Strengthen the Stormwater Program

By desconsultants | Published: February 11, 2010

EPA is announcing plans to initiate national rulemaking to establish a program to reduce stormwater discharges from new development and redevelopment and make other regulatory improvements to strengthen its stormwater program.  This affects owners, operators, developers, and contractors of new development and redevelopment as well as the owners and operators of MS4s.

EPA has issued a Federal Register Notice (PDF) (6 pp, 76K) seeking stakeholder input to help EPA shape a program to reduce stormwater impacts. Input will be provided through both written comments and during a series of public listening sessions. As described in the FR Notice, EPA seeks input on the following preliminary regulatory considerations:

  • Expand the area subject to federal stormwater regulations
  • Establish specific requirements to control stormwater discharges from new development and redevelopment
  • Develop a single set of consistent stormwater requirements for all MS4s
  • Require MS4s to address stormwater discharges in areas of existing development through retrofitting the sewer system or drainage area with improved stormwater control measures
  • Explore specific stormwater provisions to protect sensitive areas

Written comments must be submitted on or before February 26, 2010 to the address specified in the Federal Register notice.

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