Two similar soil erosion control trainings are available to contractors in western North Carolina in early March. One is classroom-based and free, the other is in the field and has an admission fee.
The Mountain Soil Erosion Control training will be held on Wednesday, March 2, from 8:05am to 12:30pm at the Almond Campus, SCC. The presenter this year is Dr. Richard McLaughlin a lead soil scientist with NC State University. Dr. MacLaughlin is the director of the NCSU Sediment and Erosion Control Research and Education Facility located at the Lake Wheeler Road Laboratories near Raleigh. His presentation will cover three broad topics: erosion control, sediment control, and turbidity control. Register by calling the office of the Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River, info@WATRnc.org or 828 488 8418. Admission if free but attendance may be limited and pre registration is required.
The second training will be held twice, on two different dates: Thursday, March 3, and again on Friday April 15. The time and place will be 8:00 to 12:00 at the Highlands Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River. Dr McLaughlin is the instructor, and the title for this training is “Installation of construction site erosion & sediment control devices.” These will be “in the field” trainings, and the cost is $30. For more information and for registration, go to the WATR website for a link.
According to Roger Clapp, executive director of WATR, “Either of these trainings fulfills the Swain County requirement for annual erosion control training for everyone involved in “earth disturbing operations” who do business in Swain County. The local class is more convenient for Swain contractors, and it is free for participants because the program is partially sponsored by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. Cherokee contractors are especially welcome. We also encourage contractors from other counties to attend but we may have to limit the total attendance, with preference based on time of registration.”
– Source: WATR
