Nebraska Stormwater and Ethics 7 PDH Discount Package 2

This online engineering PDH course addresses EPA's BMP for the protection of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, protection of public health, flood control and more.

Erosion and sedimentation related to construction site storm water runoff can significantly affect the aquatic population and hydraulic characteristics of the receiving waters. Alterations in hydraulic characteristics of streams receiving runoff include higher peak flow rates, increased frequency and duration of bankfull and subbankfull flows, increased occurrences of downstream flooding, and reduced baseflow levels.

EPA recognizes that such alterations can be prevented by implementing an effective storm water management program.  Therefore the EPA published the Storm Water Phase II Rule on December 8, 1999, that describes a menu of Best Management Practices (BMP). “Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control” is one of the Best Management Practices that requires operators of small MS4s in urbanized areas to implement a storm water management program for the protection of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, improved quality of receiving water bodies, conservation of water resources, flood control, and protection of public health.

This 2 PDH online course is applicable to municipality owners and/or operators, construction contractors/workers, site developers, engineers, managers, and all other personnel involved in the implementation of runoff controls for storm water runoff from construction sites.

This online engineering PDH course introduces the reader to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) construction general permit (CGP). The NPDES regulations apply to nearly every construction site development.  Understanding the regulations, requirements, and coverage provided under the CGP is essential to staying in compliance with the law.  Following the requirements under the CGP will also reduce the impacts of construction on the environment.

Construction inevitably causes some degree of disturbance and compaction of the soil, the loss of vegetation density, and the creation of impervious surfaces. Water quality can be dramatically impacted by inadequate construction site erosion and sediment control measures.  For these reasons the Environmental Protection Agency regulates even relatively small construction sites under the Phase II NPDES regulations.

"Any construction activity that will, or is part of a "common plan" of development or sale that will, disturb one or more acres and has the potential to have a discharge of storm water to a water of the United States must either have a permit OR have qualified for a waiver.  If all of the storm water from the construction activity is captured on-site and allowed to evaporate, soak into the ground on-site, or is used for irrigation, you do not need coverage under this permit. Under the Clean Water Act, it is illegal to have a point source discharge of pollutants to a water of the United States that is not authorized by a permit. If there is a potential for a discharge, you need to apply for coverage under this permit." (EPA Fact Sheet, 2005).

This 4 PDH online course is applicable to practicing engineers, contractors, developers, regulators, and all other personnel involved with construction sites.

This online engineering PDH course will establish, through the presentation of many examples, the principles of distinguishing between a gift and a bribe.

The federal government has formulated detailed rules covering gifts given to executive-branch employees in many situations. The rules are published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and are illustrated through many examples. Even though the examples are intended for government employees (many of whom are engineers), they also apply to private-sector engineers in similar situations. This course presents selected CFR examples that furnish guidance on the ethics of gift giving in situations that are especially relevant to engineers.