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Environmental & Resource Protection
Erosion and Sediment Control Acronym List

Following is a brief list of acronyms associated with erosion and sediment control:

Acronym What it Stands For More Info
BMP Best Management Practice BMPs are the measures put in place to protect water quality.Example BMPs are erosion control blankets, straw rolls, seeding and straw, etc.
CDC County Design Criteria http://www.dpw.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/DESIGNCRITERIA.pdf
CESSWI Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector A professional certification for those interested in erosion and sediment control
CISEC Certified Inspector of Sediment and Erosion Control A professional certification for those interested in erosion and sediment control
CPESC Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control A professional certification for those interested in erosion and sediment control
CPSWQ Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality A professional certification for those interested in erosion and sediment control
MS4s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Polluted stormwater runoff is commonly transported through MS4s, from which it is often discharged untreated into local waterbodies. To prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into an MS4, the County was required to obtain a NPDES permit and develop a stormwater management program.
NOI Notice of Intent Owners of construction projects disturbing one or more acres of soil are required to submit a complete NOI package to the RWQCB and prepare a SWPPP.
NPDES National Pollution Discharge Elimination System As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the NPDES permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States.
QSD Qualified SWPPP Developer Effective September 2011, all projects that are required by the RWQCB to have a SWPPP must have the SWPPP prepared by a QSD.
QSP Qualified SWPPP Practitioner SWPPPs require monitoring and inspection of BMPs. Effective September 2011, all inspections must be performed by a QSP for site required to have a SWPPP.
RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board (State) Santa Cruz County’s Stormwater Management Plan is overseen by the Central Coast WQCB. http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb3/
SWMP Storm Water Management Program The County prepared a SWMP in order to obtain a NPDES permit from the RWQCB. The SWMP can be viewed at: http://www.dpw.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/pdf/SWMP-NOV_2010.pdf
SWPPP Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Projects that disturb one or more acres of soil or that disturb less than one acre but are part of a larger common plan of development, are required to obtain coverage under the General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity, which requires preparation of a SWPPP. The permit is based on a project's overall risk and requires measures to prevent erosion and reduce sediment and other pollutants in their discharges.