stormwater education and involvement programs through clemson extension urban water quality issues...

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!