Construction & Materials

There are two types:

• Erosion & Sediment Control Basics (ESC Basics) training: This is a web-based training course.
• Erosion Control Technician (ECT): This is a 2-day certification course.

The ESC Basics training course is not a prerequisite for the ECT certification course. However, if someone has completed the ECT certification course, they then are considered to have satisfactorily completed the ESC Basics training course. Please note ESC Basics training requirements will begin for contracts let on or after October 15, 2013, and ECT requirements will begin for contracts let on or after April 15, 2014.

Both an ECT and an ESC Basics trained individual will be required on projects where there is a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) storm water permit. Projects that require NPDES storm water permit will have a Pollution Prevention Plan in the contract documents. Please note ESC Basics training requirements will begin for contracts let on or after October 15, 2013, and ECT requirements will begin for contracts let on or after April 15, 2014.

No, but an ESC Basics trained individual, such as the project superintendent, will be required to be on the project on a daily basis when construction activities are taking place. For this daily requirement, the Contractor may delegate responsibility to a Subcontractor. Additionally, when the Contractor is not mobilized onsite, the Contractor may delegate to a subcontractor the responsibility to attend required storm water inspections.

No. The ECT will be required to have responsible oversight of the project’s erosion control. The ECT will not be required to be onsite at all times and can delegate day-to-day oversight to those working on the project on a daily basis, such as the project superintendent or foreman who has completed the ESC Basics training.

See Question 10 for ECT responsibilities.

No, except for as described in Question 3. Even though the erosion control portion of the contract may be subcontracted, the Contractor will have to have both an ECT and an ESC Basics trained individual on staff.

Both will be required for Contractors and strongly recommended for local public agency staff on all local agency projects let through the Department where there is a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) storm water permit. Projects that require NPDES storm water permit will have a Pollution Prevention Plan in the contract documents.Please note ESC Basics training requirements will begin for contracts let on or after October 15, 2013, and ECT requirements will begin for contracts let on or after April 15, 2014.

Yes, see Materials IM 213.  Contact Iowa DOT TTCP training coordinator for more information.

ESC Basics training is available through web-based training. To register and take this training, go to the Iowa DOT's web-based training website and follow step-by-step instructions. Training is listed as “Erosion Control Basics”.

The online training takes approximately one to two hours and does not have to be completed in one sitting. Individuals must complete training on his/her own. Training a group of individuals under one log-in will not be accepted.

For ECT: Certification shall be valid for five years (expiring on December 31st of the fifth year). A 90 day grace period will be allowed for the individual to renew their certification. If the technician fails the recertification exam, they will be required to attend the ECT class and pass the exam.

For ESC Basics training: Training is valid for two years. After this date, an individual must retake the ESC Basics training course.

The following will be responsibilities of an ECT:

• Carefully review and be familiar with the details in the contract documents
• Assign erosion and sediment control monitoring responsibilities to ESC Basics trained field staff
• Review copies of storm water inspection reports
• Provide input on initial Erosion Control Implementation Plan (ECIP) submittal and ECIP updates
• Provide onsite reviews when requested by Contracting Authority or Contractor field staff

• Attend required storm water inspections with the Contracting Authority
• Coordinate all erosion and sediment control operations, including those of subcontractors and suppliers
• Prepare required initial ECIP submittal and ECIP updates
• Attend construction progress meetings to discuss erosion and sediment control issues