Stormwater Education and Involvement Programs Through Clemson Extension
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Stormwater Education and Stormwater Education and Involvement Programs Through Involvement Programs Through Clemson Extension Clemson Extension Urban Water Quality Issues Greensboro, NC July 17, 2008
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Stormwater Education and Involvement Programs Through Clemson Extension. Urban Water Quality Issues Greensboro, NC July 17, 2008. What Is Carolina Clear?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Stormwater Education and Involvement Programs Through Clemson Extension
Stormwater Education and Involvement Stormwater Education and Involvement Programs Through Clemson ExtensionPrograms Through Clemson Extension
Urban Water Quality Issues
Greensboro, NC
July 17, 2008
Carolina Clear is a comprehensive education and outreach initiative designed to inform South Carolinians about stormwater runoff and about practices they can undertake to minimize impacts.
What Is Carolina Clear?
Polluted runoff is the #1 water quality problem in South Carolina
60% of our lakes, rivers and creeks are listed by DHEC as impaired
Federal and state regulations require many communities to begin storm water outreach and education programs for their citizens.
Education is better than enforcement for addressing this important issue
Why Carolina Clear?
Why Clemson Extension?
Education is our mission. Expertise in water quality, soils, horticulture,
community and economic development, and other relevant natural resource issues.
Presence in every county and watershed Opportunity for a unified message Expertise in evaluating program
effectiveness Sound, thorough reporting mechanisms
already in place
• Homeowners• Community and
Homeowner Associations • Local Elected and
Appointed Officials• Developers and Realtors • Youth• Farmers
• Timber Industry
• Lawn and Landscape
Contractors• Nurseries• Business Leaders• Tourism Industry
Who Can Carolina Clear Target?
The Cornerstones of Carolina Clear
Direct Programs:– Web Pages– Carolina Yards and Neighborhoods– Home-A-Syst/Coast-A-Syst– Master Gardeners– Fairs, Festivals, Events– Household Hazardous Waste– Numerous other programs targeted at
adult, youth and under-represented populations
Public Education and Outreach
Indirect Programs:– Television PSAs– Radio PSAs– Billboards– Bill Stuffers– News Articles/Press Releases– Programs appearing on Your Day and
Making It Grow
Public Education and Outreach
The Cornerstones of Carolina Clear
4H2O Pontoon Classroom Adopt-A-Watershed/Storm Drain Volunteer WQ Monitoring Paint the Drain/Storm Drain Stenciling Neighborhood Associations Southeastern Phytoplankton Monitoring Network Varies for each MS4
Public Participation and Involvement
The Cornerstones of Carolina Clear
Consortium Approach
Way back in 2004… Idea was established for a consortium
approach in the Myrtle Beach UA– Clemson University Cooperative Extension– CCU – Waccamaw Watershed Academy– SC Sea Grant Extension Program– NIWB NERR
Each entity had education goals related to water quality
Joined with communities to discuss providing the stormwater education and involvement requirements
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Consortium Origin
Recognized need to coordinate stormwater education
Reasons:– Optimize regional education
efforts– Differentiate between
education providers– Assist with Phase II NPDES
compliance for regional MS4s
Initial Consortium Meeting
Attendees– MS4s:
Conway, Georgetown Co, Horry Co, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach
– DHEC-OCRM– Core Education Providers
Review Motivation for Consortium Select Name Brainstorm List of Participants Define Consensus Points
– Regional coordination IS a good idea– Push forward with education efforts
despite lack of Phase II general permit
1992
2001
2010 3:1
2020 3:1
2030 3:1
CWSEC Goal
Develop and implement effective, outcomes-based stormwater education and outreach programs that will meet federal requirements and satisfy the environmental and economic needs of the community that they serve.
Who Is Using Carolina Clear?
24 MS4s in 6 urbanized areas– Myrtle Beach UA
– Charleston UA
– Columbia UA
– Florence UA
– Sumter UA
– Greenville UA (Pickens)
Carolina Clear takes a regional approach, forming education consortia within watersheds
Coordinate development of public education and involvement strategic plans
Implement customized plan for each urbanized area
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Carolina Clear Reputation
SC DHEC has carefully reviewed the scope and plan for Carolina Clear, and provided an unequivocal endorsement:
"Carolina Clear is an excellent program (for educating about stormwater) and DHEC endorses the [program] and encourages it to be used by local government in administering their local NPDES MS4 program."
Marion Saddler, SC DHECFebruary 2002
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Questions?THANKYOU!
