California Surveyors Forums

Greetings:

My client has been told by a certain City official, that a Licensed Land Surveyor can certify
a SWPP plan.

I do not think this is correct, UNLESS that Land Surveyor has a QCD certification. (Which I do not)

Am I correct in my thinking ? or should I be proactive to assist this client towards his permit ?

Good
bad and ugly

Only a QSD can certify a SWPPP. They are typically also PE's or RCE's. A PLS cannot sit for the QSD exam unless he has qualifying education and / or experience.

Short answer, surveyors cannot sign SWPPPs.
The confusion may be because the state water board has an alternative method for QSD certification for those they describe as C-BPELSG licensees.
However that process is only available for civil engineers, geologists and engineering geologists.
see here: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/pr ... lsg_fs.pdf

Thank you very much.

I think the City official was mistaken.

My son, who has a PE and LS, did SWPP's for years. They have become so big that the contractors only read the first couple of pages the the rest of the ream of paper is ignored. Not hard to do but some company bought legislation requiring special certification, licensing fees, and retesting for license renewals to do them. Quite lucrative for them and an unnecessary added expense for the public as not all PEs can justify the expense.