CASQA Training and Education Program

CASQA offers up-to-date, high quality training to educate CASQA members and stormwater professionals. CASQA training is taught by qualified professionals in the subject matter and in providing training.

The following are the current CASQA Training course offerings:

The CASQA Construction BMP Handbook was updated to be consistent with the new statewide Construction General Permit (CGP). The focus of this training is to provide an understanding of the Construction BMP Handbook Portal and how it can be used to help meet compliance with the CGP.  On June 23, 2010, CASQA put on a webinar of the Construction BMP Handbook / Portal that attracted almost 900 viewers.  The Portal site includes a free archived recording of the webinar, a PDF copy of the presentation, and a list of frequently asked questions and answers.

 

Construction General Permit Fact Sheet

CASQA’s Construction Subcommittee produced this fact sheet as a brief primer on the State’s new permit that took effect July 1, 2010.  The fact sheet provides basic information on the permit’s applicability, risk-based design and calculation, required training and plans, reporting, and references to additional information and guidance.

Construction General Permit Fact Sheet (click to view or download)

Construction General Permit Training

In 2007, CASQA and the State Water Board first collaborated on an idea to develop training to meet the requirements identified in the Construction General Permit through convening a cross-section of professionals involved in construction stormwater regulation, compliance, and training known as the California Construction General Permit Training Team (CGP Training Team). CASQA, as a member of the CGP Training Team, assisted in development of the Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) and Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) training required by the CGP. CASQA is now managing and administering the CGP Training Program on behalf of the State Water Board. A memorandum of agreement between the CASQA and the State Water Board defines this relationship, including roles and responsibilities, and more fully describes the program.

In 2011, CASQA worked with the Water Board and the Office of Water Programs (OWP) at Sacramento State to develop and institute a major overhaul of the Construction General Permit Training Program -- automating every major element of the program from exam taking and scoring to registration and certificate issuance. For more information about this training program, see the Construction General Permit Training section of this website.

Low Impact Development Training & California LID Portal

In 2008 CASQA began coordination with members of the California Water and Land Use Planning (CalWaLUP) partnership to develop coordinated statewide Low Impact Development training. A subgroup of CalWaLUP has developed a framework for development and implementation of statewide coordinated LID training and is pursuing options for training implementation. CASQA in coordination with other LID stakeholders is developing a California LID Portal to provide a suite of resources that will assist in the development and implementation of successful municipal LID programs in California to meet state and federal water quality requirements for LID.

Stormwater management is a multidisciplinary challenge practiced largely by professionals with a background in a single discipline. Understanding the range of stormwater management requirements and implementation approaches and gaining fundamental program skills across this spectrum is the focus of this training. Topics for the training include watershed and stormwater runoff concepts; the regulatory framework; compliance implementation approaches and program/activities; Best Management Practices (BMPs); public education and outreach strategies; and program assessment tools.

NOTE: Trainings are given at the 7th Annual Stormwater Conference, which was held in late September 2011. CASQA is working on making a video of the training that would be viewable anytime. That video is expected by Spring, 2012.

Next training: November 2012 - At the 8th Annual Conference, San Diego, CA  

Effectiveness Assessment is a fundamental and necessary component for developing and implementing successful stormwater programs. CASQA has developed a Municipal Stormwater Program Effectiveness Assessment Guidance Manual to assist stormwater programs in performing effectiveness assessments and meeting permit requirements. The focus of the training is to understand stormwater program effectiveness assessments using CASQA’s EA Guidance Manual.

Effectiveness Assessment Workshops are offered on demand for a fee to groups upon request. An EPA webinar that featured the CASQA Effectiveness Assessment manual is at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/courseinfo.cfm?program_id=0&outreach_id=366&schedule_id=1010
 

No trainings are scheduled at this time.

CASQA now offers Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the CASQA Training Courses. This includes CEUs for the following certifications:

AICP - American Institute of Certified Planners
CASQA is now an approved Certification Maintenance (CM) Provider through AICP. CASQA will be providing each AICP certified planner with up to CM credits for the CASQA Training Courses and attendance at the CASQA conference. AICP certified planners can achieve these credits through the self reporting attendance option for achieving AICP CM credits.

CPESC - Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control
CPSWQ - Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality 
CESSWI - Certified Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater Inspector
Professional Development Units (PDUs) are available for the CASQA Training Courses and attendance at the CASQA Conference. These professionals can claim these credits through the self reporting procedures with Envirocert International Inc.

CWEA - California Water Environment Association
CWEA contact hours are available for the CASQA Training Courses and attendance at the CASQA Conference. CWEA contact hour verification forms must be filled out by those requesting CWEA contact hours and CASQA will issue a Certificate of Completion.