Course Description:

This 4-day lecture and field course will focus on the standard North Carolina methodology (V. 4.11, Sept. 1, 2010) that is used statewide by the Division of Water Resources (DWR) and many local governments for identifying intermittent and perennial streams and their origins. Environmental consultants, federal and state agency personnel, and local government staff members who deal with regulatory programs related to streams are encouraged to attend. Emphasis will be on Piedmont streams with a portion of the field work being conducted on coastal plain streams. For more information on the stream identification methodology, see the DWR website at https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-quality-permitting/401-buffer-permitting-branch/surface-water-identification-training-and-certification-switc-course. During the course, we will visit streams of various conditions in three of the Level IV Piedmont ecoregions (Northern Outer Piedmont, Triassic Basin, and Rolling Coastal Plain) in and around North Carolina. This course is offered in coordination with the DWR and follows the same curriculum as the course taught by DWR instructors. The course will include a written and field test. Staff within DFR, DWR, or local delegated programs who take the course and pass the written and field tests will be certified to make official determinations of stream origins subject to the buffer rules. Individuals other than those authorized for certification who take the course and pass the written and field tests will receive a "Certificate of Training” that can be used with delegated or designated local governments. Although the method is specific to North Carolina, this course will also be useful for professionals who work in other states, such as Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia. In the past, continuing education credits have been requested and approved for Foresters (SAF), Engineers (NCBELS), Landscape Architects (NCBOLA), Erosion & Sediment Control (CPESC), and Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ). In addition, others can be sought upon request. Applicants interested in continuing education credits must notify us by email well before the class so appropriate arrangements can be made.