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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 - Education, Outreach, and Public Involvement Plan1 City of Raleigh Stormwater Management Division Education, Outreach, and Public Involvement Plan Program Overview and Background This City of Raleigh Stormwater Management Public Education Program Plan sets forth the context, objectives, and activities for implementing the Public Education and Outreach program elements of the City’s Stormwater Management Plan. Objectives of the Public Education Program are to raise public awareness on the causes and impacts of stormwater pollution on Raleigh’s surface water quality; inform the public of actions they can take to reduce or prevent stormwater pollution; educate the public via in-person, virtual, website, social media, print, and mass media contact; provide educational materials to the citizens, businesses and community at large; participate, coordinate and conduct public outreach activities to increase awareness of surface water pollution; and identify common pollutants and causes, effects, and ways to reduce stormwater pollution. Since the 1990s, the City’s Water Quality Section has conducted public education and outreach activities that fulfill the requirements of its Phase I NPDES MS4 permit. In 2009 a permanent, fulltime Stormwater Education Specialist position was created to manage the Stormwater Public Education and Outreach Program. This position since has been dedicated to educating the community and conducting outreach activities focused on the impacts of stormwater runoff and discharges to surface waters. In addition to these activities, the public is educated on identifying common pollutants, changing behaviors to reduce harmful impacts, protecting water quality, and reporting stormwater pollution. Target Pollutants Sediment Increases MS4 maintenance, degrades stream and lake biological abundance and diversity, reduces lake depth and storage volume, aesthetically unattractive 2 Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) Promotes growth of algae in lakes and streams which can degrade biological abundance and diversity, toxic to aquatic species and humans, impede recreation, aesthetically unattractive Trash Increases MS4 maintenance, aesthetically unattractive Metals Degrades stream and lake biological abundance and diversity Bacteria Public health, pet health Oil & Grease Degrades stream and lake biological abundance and diversity Target Sources of Stormwater Pollution Common sources of pollutants are identified through published information and staff’s awareness of types of activities conducted and materials used in business, industry, institutions, transportation, and government in Raleigh. Known pollution of a surface water, identified through monitoring of water quality, sometimes can be attributed to a specific source using knowledge of locations of common pollutant sources, inspections of those sources through other programs within the SWMP (e.g., inspections of municipal and industrial facilities and illicit discharge detection and elimination) and routine monitoring of surface water quality. These relationships and associations are communicated through outreach to schools, businesses, churches, City staff, and the public. These associations include: Target Pollutant Sources Illicit Discharges 3 Target Pollutant Sources Target pollutant sources include: • Illicit Discharges – Unlawful disposal, emptying, dumping, spillage, leakage, pouring, or other discharge of a substance other than stormwater into the stormwater system, to surface water, or on land in such that the substance is likely to reach the stormwater system or surface water. • Sewage and Septic Tanks – Wastewater leaking or flowing from a public or private sanitary sewer, often resulting from blockage or deterioration of the sewer pipe or sewage pumping system, such that the wastewater is reaching or is likely to reach the stormwater system or surface water (i.e., illicit discharge). Sewage overflows often occur at cleanout risers of private sewer connections to the City’s main sewers, caused by blockage within the private connection. Sewage and Septic Tanks Vehicle Storage and Maintenance (fuels, lubricants, cleaners, etc.) Construction Sites Streambank Erosion (resulting form increasing impervious in the watershed) Landscape Maintenance and Lawn Care Litter and Dumping Pet Animal Waste Wastewater from Washing and Rinsing Material and Chemical Storage Paints and Finishes Restaurants/Food Trucks 4 • Vehicle and Equipment Storage and Maintenance – Petroleum products and automotive fluids used and improperly managed by private citizens, municipal government automotive service facilities, and automotive businesses. • Construction Sites – Soil erosion from and improper management of materials at/ from construction sites and other land-disturbing activities. • Streambank Erosion- Loss of sediment along a stream bank as a result of increased runoff from nearby development-increase in impervious surface area. Degrades stream habitats. • Landscape Maintenance and Lawn Care – Improper use and management of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides and improper placement and disposal of leaves and yard waste by property owners and landscape and lawn care businesses. • Litter and Dumping – Negligent or intentional management or placement of trash or other cast-off substances on the ground or in a stormwater system or surface water . • Pet Animal Waste – Improper or lack of collection and disposal of waste from pets and other animals. • Wastewater from Washing and Rinsing – Improper management and/or disposal of water containing soaps, detergents, cleaners, or debris resulting from vehicle washing or other cleaning activities such that the wastewater is reaching or is likely to reach the stormwater system or surface water. • Paints and Finishes – Improper management and/or disposal of paints or finishes or solvents, thinners, or cleaners used in association with painting and finishing such that any of these substances is reaching or is likely to reach the stormwater system or surface water. • Restaurants/Food Trucks-Improper disposal of grease and oil dispensed into storm drains, degrades stream, lake biological abundance and diversity. Clogs pipes and contributes to sewar overflows. 5 Target Audiences Based on the target pollutant sources, target audience for the stormwater education and outreach program are: • General Public – Education on widespread systemic impacts of daily human activities on the environment and specific impacts related to stormwater runoff. Overall desired outcome is to change behaviors that contribute to stormwater pollution. • Municipal Government- Targeted audiences conduct, oversee, use equipment and/or engage in and/or observe activities associated with chemical pollutant(s) and other sources of stormwater pollutants directly impacting water quality in streams and lakes. Desired outcome is general awareness of illegal discharges into the stormwater drainage system to reduce system backups and create behavior change to reduce pollution and improve water quality in streams and lakes. • Property Owners/Residents – Targeted education focused on changing behaviors pertaining to lawn care/maintenance, reading directions prior to applying/usage of fertilizer and pesticides, not applying lawn chemicals prior to rain events, composting lawn waste and other, using a mulching lawn mower, proper disposal of grass clippings, lawn waste, pet/animal responsibility, proper household chemical disposal, preventing sewer overflow, proper care and maintenance of stream banks if adjacent to property, Encouraging installation and use of rain barrels, rain gardens, and other stormwater treatment features. General Public Municipal Government Property Owners/Residents Construction contractors/developers Restaurant/Food Truck owners and operators Lawn Care & Landscape professionals Vehicle Repair/Wash professionals Painting contractors Restaurant and food truck owners/operators 6 • Construction Contractors/Developers-Audience conducts, oversees and, engages in land disturbing actives that increase impervious surface area and increases stormwater runoff directly impacting water quality in streams, lakes. Desired outcome is adherences to guidelines, rules and, regulations for land disturbing activities, general awareness of the impacts of stormwater runoff . • Restaurant/Food Truck Owners and Operators - Educational materials for restaurant staff and food truck vendors on proper grease and food waste disposal for reducing illicit discharges to the stormwater system and reducing sewer blockages, backups, and overflows. • Rental Property Managers – Education on proper lawn/landscape care, disposal of grease and chlorinated water. • Lawn Care/Landscape Professionals – Encouraging environmentally safe practices for lawn care and maintenance focusing on educating about proper use of fertilizers, pesticides, adhering to directions for applying chemicals, not applying prior to rain events, encouraging use of organic fertilizers, using mulching lawnmowers, keeping leaves and grass clippings out of the gutter area and out of the storm drains and proper techniques for disposal per City guidelines and/or ordinances. • Vehicle Repair/Wash Professionals – Using professional car wash and vehicle maintenance facilities where best management practices are followed and/or washing vehicles or equipment in grassy areas such that runoff from washing does not flow to the stormwater system or to surface water. Using recycling facilities for used vehicle fluids and proper disposal of tires. • Students/Youth – Younger people adapt and accept new behavior changes easier and with less resistance, therefore school presentations and outreach activities are a major component of the education and outreach program. Not all target audiences will be specifically addressed every year. However, each audience is addressed in some format throughout the permit cycle. Program Tools The following describes the tools the City uses to fulfill the Public Education and Outreach program elements of the SWMP. These publications are distributed and/or coordinated by the Stormwater Education and Outreach Specialist. The Stormwater Communications Analyst produces and posts to multiple media outlets and the City’s website. Website Staff maintains a portion of the City’s website dedicated to stormwater services. All services can be found at: https://raleighnc.gov/stormwater. Web content includes service pages, support 7 pages, project pages, events, and news items. There is a service page for water pollution that includes the main causes of pollution and how to prevent contributing to water pollution. The City’s Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP), which describes how City staff implement program components, complies with the NPDES MS4 permit, and defines annual reporting metrics, is posted at https://raleighnc.gov/SupportPages/stormwater-management-plan. Any updates to this document require a public review and comment period and notification of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). Print Materials Publications are developed, printed, and available for distribution and/or mailing to increase public awareness regarding stormwater runoff, surface water pollutants’ impacts on water resources, infrastructure, and landscapes and for educating citizens, businesses, and industries regarding pollutant sources and reducing urban stormwater runoff pollution. The following print material is maintained by Raleigh’s Stormwater Management Division. This list is reviewed yearly to determine the need for content updates and printing. Flooding • FEMA Flood Insurance brochure • Spanish translation is also available • FEMA Flood Insurance Flier and Fact Sheet Utility Bill Newsletter Article • Flooding and other stormwater information is included in the Your Service Connection newsletter that’s mailed with the City of Raleigh utility bill. Pollution Prevention Postcards for the following are target specific on a yearly rotation: • Vehicle and Equipment Washing • Carpet Cleaning Industry • Landscape Maintenance Industry • Food Service Industry • Report Water Pollution • Pet Waste (card) Stormwater Volunteer Opportunities • Adopt a Stream • Storm Drain Marking • Stream Monitoring 8 Raleigh Rainwater Rewards • Commercial • Residential Raleigh Stormwater Fee Raleigh’s Stormwater System/Maintenance School Education Program Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP) Booklet • Six major water pollutants Scoop the Poop Postcard The City also prints the Your Service Connection newsletter to reach utility customers. Example article topics include the City’s stormwater fee rates, hurricane preparedness, preventing stormwater pollution from car washing, and proper disposal of paints and finishes. These articles are included on an as-needed basis depending on the focus of the current stormwater campaign. Mass, Earned & Social Media Mass media includes commercial and informative messaging via TV, radio, and newspapers. Much of this content is handled through membership with Clean Water Education Partnership. The Stormwater Management Division also gets earned media from local, regional, and national outlets, especially around rainy weather and hurricane season. Outlets include print, television, and broadcast. Social media platforms include Twitter and Facebook. These platforms are specifically dedicated to all City water services, including drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater. Messages are amplified on other City channels and accounts, such as YouTube, Instagram and Nextdoor. Targeted messaging lets customers know about important city information. There are three main goals with the types of content posted: raise awareness, engage, and build excitement or advocate. Messaging is focused on providing customers with information and engage them in an engaging way. Twitter has approximately 7,100 followers. The Stormwater Management Division reaches 2,000 people pr month through Facebook, on average. Email Marketing The Stormwater Management Division maintains an email marketing strategy. Staff develops and distributes content through GovDelivery. Content goes to about 3,330 subscr ibers. Information includes meeting reminders, program/initiative promotions, project updates, and interesting how-to content. Public Events, Presentations and Meetings 9 The City participates in a variety of public events, presentations , and meetings, often in partnership with other City departments and other organizations, to reach large segments of targeted audiences. Events and presentation formats can be in-person or virtual. Education/Outreach Specialist and other City staff attend several long-standing events throughout the year and many attend public meetings that are more spontaneous. Long-standing events include: • Environmental Awards • Earth Day • Raleigh Neighborhood Exchange • Contractor, Developers meeting • Minorities and Women Business Expo • STEM Education Day • GIS Day • School -Career Days • Science Fairs The Education and Outreach Specialist also accompanies staff at public meetings, one-time events associated with Raleigh’s Stormwater Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects, virtual town hall-type meetings for upcoming regulation changes, specific high-profile Capital Improvement projects or related community events. In-person attendance at public events/meetings requires preparation and maintenance of a display, brochures and providing follow-up with contacts made at these events. Most meetings have a public comment/engagement process. The Stormwater Management Division uses the Public Input platform to create, distribute, and analyze surveys to customers. Types of surveys include feedback on stormwater system improvements, neighborhood flooding, and experience with specific stormwater programs. School Presentations The City’s Stormwater Education and Outreach Specialist leads school presentations within Raleigh and occasionally partners with neighboring municipalities for joint presentations outside Raleigh. School presentations can be live or virtual with additional asynchron ous learning resources available via the City’s website. School presentations occur throughout the year as participation is requested , and some requests reoccur annually. School presentations offered include: 10 • Storm Drain Model (all ages) • Create Your Own Watershed Model • Disposing Pollutants Correctly Board Game (all ages) • Stormwater Runoff and Sediment Activity (all ages) • Story Time (pre-K-2nd grade) • EnviroScape Watershed Interactive Model (mostly grades 6-8, and all ages when appropriate setting) • Green Stormwater Infrastructure (high school and above) These presentations are approximately 45 minutes long and can be modified to fit a teacher’s schedule. Associated resources include Clean Water Education Partnership Pollution videos and other age appropriate related in-house or internet-based videos. Additionally, a yearly student contest is offered in partne rship with the City’s Office of Sustainability’s Environmental Awards Program. Students in grades 8-12 are encouraged to submit artwork or a 60-second video describing the harmful effects of stormwater runoff on our streams, creeks and rivers and ways to reduce or eliminate them. Signage The City has installed branded educational signs across Raleigh to educate the public about stream restoration projects, promote Adopt a Stream (AAS) locations, and educate/highlight green stormwater infrastructure projects and other infrastructure projects. 11 Partnerships The City partners with various organizations to reach large segment s of the targeted audience. Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP), managed by the Triangle Council of Governments, is one such partnership. Raleigh’s Stormwater Management Division serves on the Steering Committee of CWEP, which is a partnership that includes municipalities throughout the Triangle region. The partnership provides the following educational resources, social and mass media messaging for all partners who are interested in collaborating on education and outreach initiatives to meet NPDES MS4 stormwater permit requirements. Educational Components provided through the City/CWEP partnership Social Media Campaigns Cinema Campaigns NCM and Screen Vision Spectrum TV-Everywhere Broadcast and Digital Campaigns English and Spanish channels Capital Broadcasting Company Campaigns Broadcast, Digital and Radio La Noticia Spanish-language newspaper Specific messaging, once weekly for 10 months The City’s Stormwater Management Division also partners with other organizations throughout the year to facilitate presentations, seminars, and volunteer activities. Volunteers and Public Involvement The City’s volunteers’ programs are managed by the Stormwater Environmental and Sustainability Specialist. It provides opportunities for the public to get involved in volunteer programs for protecting and improving surface water quality. Some opportunities are self-guided with assistance provided by City staff, and others may require attendance in a workshop prior to participation in a particular opportunity. The following information summarizes the City’s public involvement programs: Adopt a Stream (AAS) Volunteers agree to adopt a local stream segment or lake shoreline to remove trash and visually assess and report water conditions a minimum of twice a year. One-time/drop- in cleanup opportunities are also available under the partner Foster a Stream program. Foster a Stream (City-led stream cleanup) typically scheduled for March and October. 12 Storm Drain Marking Volunteers glue markers, “Drains to the Neuse” on storm drain covers, alerting the public not to dump anything down the storm drain. Volunteer Stream Monitoring Volunteers, (Stream Monitoring Workshop attendance required) agree to collect samples a minimum of four times a year at streams and lakes, and report chemical, physical, and biological data about water conditions back to the Stormwater Division Environmental & Sustainability Specialist. Workshops are held in April and November. Rain Garden/Rain Barrel Workshop Attendees learn about the benefits of installing a rain garden and/or rain barrel on their property. Reducing the amount of storm water runoff from their homes and impervious surfaces and using native plants. Additionally, attendees are given information and resources about the City’s Rainwater Rewards Program. Workshops are held in March and October. Training for Municipal Employees City employees training is coordinated, managed, and tracked by the Stormwater Education Specialist with assistance from Water Quality staff and respective department training leads as requested. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination All City employees complete Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) training. The IDDE training module is assigned to City staff via the iLearn training platform, a web-based platform that allows employees to complete the training remotely, track completion status, notify the supervisor of their employees’ training status, and generate weekly reports for Stormwater staff and reporting requirements. IDDE training is part of the City’s new-hire, on- boarding process, which is implemented by the Human Resources Department. All new employees are assigned this training and must complete it to clear the required orientation process. IDDE training also then assigned to staff on a three-year cycle via the City’s iLearn internal/on-line training platform. Staff and their supervisors are notified of the upcoming required training and/or failure to complete the training as assigned. Stormwater staff also provide In-person training upon request. Stormwater staff coordinates with department staff to assist with the training implementation and ensure that all employees have access to the training. 13 The following IDDE module is assigned to all City staff through the iLearn platform: City of Raleigh Illegal Discharge Detection: Lessons on Spotting and Reporting Illegal Discharges to Water Bodies. City-wide IDDE training reports are generated weekly. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Select City of Raleigh employees are required to complete Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Training (PPGH) based on their work location, job responsibilities, and/or involvement in City operations with potential to impact stormwater runoff. Stormwater staff assigns one of six versions of the PPGH training module based on the operations, activities, and facility types of each department. Stormwater staff works with individual departments contacts to assist management in selecting staff that will require PPGH training. At a minimum, Stormwater staff recommends that employees who work in a facility or conduct an operation that has a potential to impact stormwater should be included. This includes, but is not limited to, vehicle maintenance, vehicle washing, storm drain maintenance, parking lot and street cleaning, sewer and water line repair, and spill prevention activities and operations. Once assigned, PPGH training is coupled with the IDDE training, and is assigned to staff on a three-year cycle via the City’s iLearn internal/on-line training platform. Staff and their supervisor are notified of upcoming required training and/or failure to complete the training as assigned. Stormwater staff also provide in-person training upon request. Stormwater staff coordinates with each department staff to assist with the training implementation and ensure that all employees have access to the training. In addition to the Basic Program for MS4s Stormwater Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Training Module, one of the following PPGH modules is assigned to identified City staff through the iLearn platform based on their work location, job responsibilities, and/or involvement in City operations: • Complete Program • Parking Lots, Streets and Storm Drain System Cleaning • Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance • Municipal Facility Maintenance • Working Over or Near Surface Waters Site-Specific Training Eight City facilities operate under individual Industrial NPDES permits, which require a site - specific Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) be developed and maintained for the facility. For City staff working at these facilities, on-site stormwater training and documentation of training must be completed. This training is handled by each individual facility and/or department and is subject to inspection and enforcement by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). Stormwater staff visit these facilities annually to check whether facility SWPPPs are current and whether training has been documented. Stormwater staff are available to provide training assistance to facility staff upon request. 14 Post-Construction SCM Workshops for Property Owners and Developers The City provides targeted training for property owners, property managers, and developers regarding protocols and expectation for inspection and maintenance of post-construction stormwater control measures (SCMs) for which the City has issued operating permits. This yearly training addresses inspection and reporting requirements and common issues encountered during the post-construction period. Annual Reporting The City’s Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) defines annual reporting metrics that are monitored throughout the year and are included in the annual report to North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). The following metrics are monitored: 1. Target pollutants and the associated sources and reason each target pollutant was chosen 2. Target audiences identified for each target pollutant and reason each target pollutant was chosen 3. Number of hits to the Stormwater website 4. Number of educational materials distributed by type 5. Number of calls handled by helpline by type of call 6. Events and number of handouts distributed at each event 7. In-school events and number of participants 8. Number of participants in each City volunteer opportunity 9. Dates for meetings of the City’s Stormwater Management Advisory Commission and topics of discussion pertaining to MS4 compliance 10. Webpage link for the City’s SWMP 11. Mechanisms used for public review and comment on the SWMP 12. If public notice occurred, report mechanism(s) used to advertise public review and comment and public notice period 13. Types of fact sheets/educational brochures developed and maintained for developers 14. Training events held for developers and number of participants PROGRAM ASSESSMENT The stormwater public education program is routinely evaluated using several mechanisms throughout the permit cycle. Most initiatives have either schedules or goals to meet. All program activities, events, presentations, school participation, and social and mass media are tracked throughout the year for reporting and goal setting. Stormwater Education and Outreach staff meets with the Water Quality Supervisor/Manager twice a year to set goals and 15 to review and determine whether goals have been achieved or need to be revised. The following additional mechanisms ensure regular program assessment occurs: 16 Public Survey Surveys are done multiple times a year related to specific target audiences and/or projects. Additionally, a survey is sent upon competition of a Raleigh Rainwater Rewards project. Stormwater Management Advisory Commission The City’s Stormwater Management Advisory Commission (SMAC) is a volunteer residents advisory board composed of 10 members serving 2-year terms. SMAC meets on the first Thursday of each month to review the City’s stormwater management policies and programs and reports annually to the Raleigh City Council on matters in its work plan and other matters of importance. SMAC members review Drainage Assistance and Raleigh Rainwater Rewards projects and make recommendations to staff and the Raleigh City Council when appropriate. Additionally, they serve as the jury for the Stormwater Management Capture it! Education/Water Quality art contest. Revision History Revision Date Description of changes Requested by