NCS000513_Public Education and Outreach Plan_20220506

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Public Education and Outreach Program
Draft
March 2022
Incorporated by reference into the Town's MS4 Program Plan
The Town of Harrisburg operates a Stormwater Management Program in compliance with the National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
Permit and the applicable provision of the Clean Water Act. The Town strives to improve local surface
water quality and environmental stewardship through Program Implementation, as well as sound technical
guidelines, criteria, and practices for stormwater management. Engaging the public is critical to achieving
these goals. In accordance with Part II, Section B.2.h of the MS4 General Permit, the Town will
implement a Public Education and Outreach Program (PEOP) on stormwater impacts. The PEOP aims to
achieve the following goals as stated in the Stormwater Management Plan:
1. Increase community awareness about urban runoff pollution and its impacts on the community's
water resources.
2. Educate the community about specific pollutant sources and what individuals can do to reduce
urban runoff pollution.
3. Foster participation through community -based projects or volunteer activities focused on
pollution prevention.
To meet these goals, the Public Education and Outreach Program implement the following components:
1. Identify target pollutants and stressors, as well as likely sources, within Town limits.
2. Identify target audiences likely to have significant impacts on the stormwater system.
3. Promote and maintain and internet website to distribute additional information material and
convey the program's message.
4. Distribute stormwater educational material to the target audiences identified within the PEOP.
5. Promote and maintain a stormwater hotline for the purpose of public education and outreach.
6. Evaluate all components of the PEOP on an annual basis in the SM4 self -assessment in order to
assess success of the PEOP.
Identified target pollutants, potential sources, and the target audiences likely to have a significant impact
on these pollutants can be found in Part 5 of the Town's Stormwater Management Plan.
The Town utilizes the Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas (RSPC) as a partner to assist in
the development and distribution of stormwater educational material to the target audiences identified in
Harrisburg, found in the SWMP. The FY21 Annual Report of activities performed by the partnership in
2021 can be found in Appendix A of this section. Key accomplishments of the partnership include a
media campaign covering TV, Radio, and social media, as well as extensive workshops and municipal

'004� Harrisburg NC
training made available to members of the partnership. Engagement and impressions from the previous
year's media campaign are made available in the RSPC annual report.
In addition to the material distributed by the RSPC, the Town Engineering staff distribute informational
flyers to target audiences. Examples of the informational flyers distributed by Engineering Department
staff can be found in appendix B of this document. Social media posts, catered to the identified target
audiences, are posted to the Town's Facebook page on a monthly basis.
The Town maintains an up-to-date website with information on the size minimum control measures stated
in the SM4 permit as well as information specific to Public Education and Outreach. Located on the
website are several links to educational materials, resources for homeowner's associations on stormwater
issues within the neighborhoods, as well as links to RSPC where residents can find resources for
educators on stormwater topics. Also located on the website is contact information that residents, schools,
or other organizations can call to schedule a stormwater presentation by Engineering Department staff on
drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, and the municipal stormwater system.