UNION — Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) is sponsoring a Maine DEP certification course in Beginning Erosion and Sediment Control Practices. Contractors must take this course to comply with the 2013 statutory requirement to have a certified contractor on all sites within 250 feet of a water body, according to SWCD, in a news release.

The course will be held, Wednesday, October 30, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the downstairs meeting room of the Union Town Office, 567 Common Rd, Union.

Cost of the course is $70 and includes morning refreshments, lunch, and all training materials. Pre-registration with payment is required by Friday, October 25.

“If you are an excavation contractor, landscaper, well driller, or other individual involved with soil disturbance within the shoreland zone and have not yet taken a class, sign up now so that you won’t have to turn away jobs,
said SWCD.

John Maclaine of Maine DEP will cover best management practices; applicable regulations and standards for projects, such as shoreline riprap and culverts; and natural resource impacts. Maclaine will also discuss vegetated buffers, erosion control planning, walk through the permitting and planning process, and include new information that has not been presented in past trainings.

This course is intended for contractors and personnel who have not yet been certified, but recertification credits may be earned. To review the certification status of individuals or companies and find training locations throughout the state, visit www.maine.gov/dep/land/training/ccec.html.

Pre-registration with payment is required by Friday, October 25 (no refunds).

For more information or to register, contact Knox-Lincoln SWCD office at 596-2040, julie@knox-lincoln.org, or visit www.knox-lincoln.org/contractor-certification to register and pay online.