CPESCs and the Residential Construction Industry
Trends in stormwater regulatory increases and thresholds for land disturbance decreases have left one very large audience somewhat unprepared for controlling construction-site runoff. This audience is the residential construction industry. Because of these trends in regulatory requirements and changes in land disturbance thresholds, the residential construction industry is quickly changing the way homes are being built. Oftentimes they are looking for assistance as to the best way to make this change.
This industry is paying closer attention to the details of controlling erosion and sediment on their construction sites. Now, in addition to building code inspections, numerous project superintendents are now looking at inspecting erosion and sediment control practices on construction sites—or are they? This is the challenge our industry is currently facing. Some companies are taking this issue seriously and being proactive with respect to site management issues, and some are not. The opportunities for Certified Professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESCs) to provide education and training to this industry have never been stronger.
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One thing is certain: This change is costing the residential construction industry dollars to initiate and implement. Construction firms often hire someone qualified, like a CPESC, to assist them in creating comprehensive programs to control construction-site issues related to residential construction. Sometimes, these residential construction firms determine that someone with a CPESC-level qualification is better suited to manage this compliance issue on their behalf rather than trying to manage it in house. In some cases, residential construction companies are looking to become CPESC-certified.
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In Minnesota, the Builders Association of the Twin Cities and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency partnered to develop a comprehensive targeted four-hour educational program for residential contractors to understand the permit requirements and some options for compliance. This “Stormwater Basics for Builders” course has been extremely successful at delivering clear, consistent messages to an audience who felt unprepared for these permit compliance issues of Phase II of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
The most unique shift is the behavioral changes this industry is experiencing. Does it happen overnight? Absolutely not, but overall there is no disputing that the change is beginning to gain momentum. Also, this change in controlling construction-site runoff is significantly changing the way residential construction has traditionally been done. There are still companies out there who are turning a blind eye to this issue. However, there are several more residential construction firms who not only understand what CPESC stands for; they also understand what it can do for them.
November-December 2005
CPESCs and the Residential Construction Industry
Trends in stormwater regulatory increases and thresholds for land disturbance decreases have left one very large audience somewhat unprepared for controlling construction-site runoff. This audience is the residential construction industry. Because of these trends in regulatory requirements and changes in land disturbance thresholds, the residential construction industry is quickly changing the way homes are being built. Oftentimes they are looking for assistance as to the best way to make this change. This industry is paying closer attention to the details of controlling erosion and sediment on their construction sites. Now, in addition to building code inspections, numerous project superintendents are now looking at inspecting erosion and sediment control practices on construction sites—or are they? This is the challenge our industry is currently facing. Some companies are taking this issue seriously and being proactive with respect to site management issues, and some are not. The opportunities for Certified Professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESCs) to provide education and training to this industry have never been stronger.
|
One thing is certain: This change is costing the residential construction industry dollars to initiate and implement. Construction firms often hire someone qualified, like a CPESC, to assist them in creating comprehensive programs to control construction-site issues related to residential construction. Sometimes, these residential construction firms determine that someone with a CPESC-level qualification is better suited to manage this compliance issue on their behalf rather than trying to manage it in house. In some cases, residential construction companies are looking to become CPESC-certified.
In Minnesota, the Builders Association of the Twin Cities and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency partnered to develop a comprehensive targeted four-hour educational program for residential contractors to understand the permit requirements and some options for compliance. This “Stormwater Basics for Builders” course has been extremely successful at delivering clear, consistent messages to an audience who felt unprepared for these permit compliance issues of Phase II of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
The most unique shift is the behavioral changes this industry is experiencing. Does it happen overnight? Absolutely not, but overall there is no disputing that the change is beginning to gain momentum. Also, this change in controlling construction-site runoff is significantly changing the way residential construction has traditionally been done. There are still companies out there who are turning a blind eye to this issue. However, there are several more residential construction firms who not only understand what CPESC stands for; they also understand what it can do for them.