UDC/NC State Stormwater BMP Inspection & Maintenance Workshop Certifies 34

By Andrea Herrera

CAUSES recently held a “Stormwater and BMP (Best Management Practices) Inspection and Maintenance Certification” program on Oct. 22-23. The pilot course offered a comprehensive program for stormwater-related professionals. In collaboration with UDC, a total of 34 registrants with vocational expertise spanning the spectrum of engineering, landscape architecture, stormwater management, public works, commercial landscaping, and the greater “Green Industry,” attended and received a certification awarded by NC State University Cooperative Extension, housed in NC State's the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department.

The main goal of the course was to train professionals in methods and strategies for conducting routine and thorough inspections of stormwater management practices. In order to achieve this, technical elements of stormwater management practice function and performance were described and specific maintenance tasks that are required to ensure the functionality of these installed practices were instructed. The various Stormwater BMPs that were covered thought the workshop included: (1) Water Sheds and Water Quality Problems, (2) Stormwater Regulations, (3) wetlands and wetponds, (4) Elements of BMP maintenance, (5) Retention pond maintenance, (6) Wetland maintenance, (7) Bioretention maintenance, (8) parking lot BMPs, and (9) Other Green BMPs.

The two-day training session workshop was instructed by William F. Hunt, III, Ph.D., P.E. (Professor and Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University), Bill Lord (Environmental Agent with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service), and Dwane Jones (University of the District of Columbia). These experts not only shared the best of their knowledge, but also provided guidance for inspection preparation, execution, documentation and safety. In addition, the continuous interaction between the participants and instructors stimulated effective brainstorming and networking.

Images courtesy of NC State

As a complementary part of the Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) Inspection and Maintenance Certification Program (IMCP), Dwane Jones, Ph.D., director, UDC Center for Sustainable Development, provided an “Urban Sustainability Campus” tour to showcase the different BMPs that the University of the District of Columbia has implemented. This includes 90,000 square feet of new green roof currently under construction, the UDC garden, and the conservation landscape that promote infiltration and reduce stormwater runoff.   

The Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) Inspection and Maintenance Certification Program (IMCP), which may have a second cycle next year, is an important science-based tool for low impact development practices that can help fight climate change and its effects on stormwater infrastructure operation and performance. For more information, click here or contact Dr. Jones at dwane.jones@udc.edu.