SYNOPSIS
Erosion and sedimentation due to land clearing and development (agriculture, construction, mining etc) is the main source of river pollution in Malaysia. This does not only result in deterioration of water quality and deleterious impact on river aquatic life, but marine ecology is also affected as large sediment loads continue to spread along the coastline which smother out spawning grounds and coastal sea-beds. Inland, sediment chokes up culverts and river-beds, increasing flash floods frequencies.  The ubiquitous phenomenon of “teh-tarik” colored rivers is almost synonymous to Malaysian landscape during rain events. To bring back the glory of the rivers in Malaysia and mitigate the occurrence of erosion, concerted efforts from all parties involved in land development process are required.  Underscoring these efforts is the need to fortify the understanding and development of expertise in the best practices in erosion and sediment control at all levels. Experience from successful training programs implemented elsewhere can be used to expedite the learning process in Malaysia to produce large number of the much needed professionals in erosion and sediment control to address soil erosion issues in the EIA as well as non-EIA projects.  Competent professionals are needed to assess the erosion risks, design and review Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (ESCPs) in EIA & EMP reports and supervise the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) on-site.  Generally, there is a lack of appreciation on the importance of and expertise in erosion and sediment control among the professionals in Malaysia.  
With a view to improve the standard of erosion protection in Malaysia, the Department of Environment Malaysia through EiMAS in partnership with Enviro Cert International, Inc (USA) has been organizing training under the Certified Professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) Certification Program. CPESC certification is an internationally recognized credential for professionals who have met established standards of expertise, experience and knowledge in soil erosion and sediment.  The certification program has been conducted regularly in Malaysia since 2007. Other related certification programs in erosion and sediment control under Enviro Cert International include Certified Erosion, Sediment and Storm Water Inspector (CESSWI) and Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ). Currently, there are over 3000 professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control and Storm Water Quality who have been from all over the world including Australia, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland and Malaysia certified under the various programs.

In early 2011, DOE introduced a new requirement that any consultant wishing to be involved in the write up on the soil erosion aspects in the EIA reports to be competent in soil erosion and sediment control.  An evidence of the competency in the field is certification as CPESC. All team leaders of EIA studies are also encouraged to undertake CPESC program (if qualified) to enable them to plan and understand issues related to development better.  ESCP preparers for EIA projects must not only be professional civil engineers but also CPESC certified. The above requirements are in line with the DOE’s vision to have competent professionals both for the preparation of the EIA reports as well as the ESCP plans. Additionally, many of DOE staff too, who are involved in the processing of EIA, EMPs and EIA enforcement are CPESC certified.



BIODATA OF SPEAKER
Dr. Ir. Shamsudin Haji Ab Latiff is a registered chemical engineer who holds a B. Sc. in Chemical Eng. from Leeds University, United Kingdom., a M. Eng. in Environmental Eng. From Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand, and a Sc. D in Public Health, from Tulane University New Orleans, USA. He was a member of the Board of Engineers Malaysia (B.E.M.) and is currently Deputy Director General (Development), Department of Environment, Malaysia. Dr. Shamsudin’s experience in industrial pollution control spans over 30 years with several technical guidance documents to his credit. He is instrumental in initiating and developing competency certification programs for the DOE’s officers and the industry. Dr. Shamsudin is a certified trainer and a certified training evaluator and holds a CERT (IV) certification in training from Australia. He was an adjunct professor at the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia (2009-2011) and currently serving in the same capacity at the Department of Engineering Sciences in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. Dr. Shamsudin also holds certification from U.S.A. as Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) and Certified Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater Inspector (CESSWI).