13_NCS000467_Public Outreach Education SOP_20211208

TOWN of
WAKE FOREST
Stormwater MS4 —
Introduction
301 S. Brooks Street
Wake Forest, NC 27587
1919.435 9400
%v-.% w."-akeforestnc_gov
Public Outreach and Education
As specified in 40 CFR part 122.34, the regulated public entity must implement a public outreach and
education program. The program should focus on distribution of educational materials and hosting
outreach events which highlight proper stormwater management practices. The Town of Wake Forest
benefits from involvement in the Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP), a robust website, several
outreach events, and active public involvement/volunteer opportunities.
Involvement with CWEP has played a consistent role in the Town's outreach and education process.
This partnership influences the focus of the program regarding target audiences and pollutants. CWEP
has facilitated active collaboration between participating entities, and tailors their outreach according to
input from these entities. Additionally, Wake Forest has recently developed an annual stormwater
outreach schedule to create a consistent and well-rounded approach to educating the Town of Wake
Forest's residence about stormwater pollution prevention.
A summary of the Town's strategy for outreach and education program is found in the Stormwater
Management Plan (SWMP).
CWEP Involvement
As mentioned above, active participation with the Clean Water Education Partnership will continue to
be crucial for the success of the Town's Public Outreach and Education efforts. A representative from
the Town will continue to attend the quarterly steering committee meetings and provide an opinion on
the direction of the partnership.
For 2020, the focus of the partnership and the Town was proper management of yard waste and
landscaping materials (fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, etc.). The partnership will continue to develop
and advertise material geared toward these potential pollutants, as well as the relevant target
audiences (landscapers, homeowners, and students). CWEP posts quarterly meeting_ minutes online, as
well as annual reports. These documents highlight the future direction of outreach efforts as well as
campaign statistics. Relevant materials summarizing the relevant yearly performance have been
downloaded and stored on the Town's server.
CWEP centers their campaigns on "The Big 6 Stormwater Pollutants":
1. Household Waste
2. Auto Waste
3. Pesticides/Herbicides
�3

TOWN of
WAKE FOREST
4. Yard Waste
5. Pet Waste
5. Litter
301 S. Brooks Street
Wake Forest, NC 27587
1919.435.9400
wwwwakef orestnc.gov
As mentioned above the focus in 2020 was landscaping wastes (yard waste and pesticides/herbicides).
Media campaigns will continue to target these pollutants. The Town will reference, re -post, and
distribute these campaign materials via the Town Website, Social Media, and In -person events. The
focus of CWEP in 2021 will be on businesses and the impact fats, oils, and grease (FOG) have on the
stormwater system.
Additionally, the relationship with CWEP will be utilized to support 2 in -person events each year,
typically at a local elementary school.
In -Person Outreach Events
Aside from educational events supported by CWEP, Wake Forest's stormwater group will continue being
involved in Town events including Meet in the Street and Dirt -pay. Educational material from the
Town's current repository, as well as material made available or referenced by CWEP will be available
for participants in each event. Additionally, handouts and promotional items will reference the Town's
Stormwater Education 101 webpage as well as social media pages, and reporting/contact options.
An educational event for the proper application of fertilizer and pesticide is available to Town residents
annuals. This course, LawnCare101, is advertised on the town's website. Over the past 4 years over 280
residents have participated in the program. The course covers a variety of topics including the
importance of ground cover turfgrass provides, avoiding fertilizer runoff, potential for fertilizer leaching,
how to read labels, importance and how-to conduct soil and reading the report so nutrients aren't over
applied, and proper container disposal. Instructions and boxes are distributed to all participants.
The Town continues to utilize SeeClickFix and direct phone contact as the preferred means of
communication between citizens and Stormwater staff. These methods of communication are
advertised frequently on the Town's website and educational material. The repetitive advertisements
will facilitate citizen feedback as well as reinforcing its the importance. Social media will also be
monitored for any questions or comments.
Social Media Outreach
Aside from direct reference to CWEP's educational efforts, the Town website and social media will be a
primary means of distributing information relating to stormwater education. A social media outreach
plan has been developed in conjunction with the Town's communication staff as part of the Stormwater
Social Media SOP.

TOWN of
WAKE FOREST
Passive (Website) Education
301 S. Brooks Street
Wake Forest, NC 27587
t 919.435.9400
«-ww,wakclorc,,tnc gm
The Town's website has recently been updated to continue improving the quality and quantity of
material present. The Stormwater Education 101 webpage is the primary gateway into the
informational/educational material on the website. It mentions secondary Soil & Erosion 101 and
Watershed Education webpages as well as a Yard Waste webpage.
Current Program Status
Aside from the website updates, the Town is dedicated to a continual/successful transition into an
increasingly virtual environment. In -person events are, and will continue to be, critical for the success of
the program. Participation in two annual school events, Meet in the Street, and Dirt Day will be the
consistent, primary platform for in -person outreach. However, the methods and extent of virtual
outreach will continue to expand. Additional materials and events will be developed and advertised that
focus on the current target pollutant and audience.
The current focus on yard waste, as well as the new solid waste fee has motivated development of new
educational material, and training courses for contract landscapers and homeowners. This presentation
was offered virtually via Zoom and graphics developed for the presentation are available online.
Program Assessment
The success of the program will be evaluated annually based on the following:
• Number of in -person events (typically at least 2)
• Number of virtual presentations or events
• Documented impression statistics collected and distributed by CWEP
• Number of likes on social media
• Documented views on the website
• Number of reports, questions, or inquiries on SeeClickFix or through direct contact
These statistics will be reviewed and assessed to determine the effectiveness of the Public Outreach and
Education Program.

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