Department of Environmental ProgramsOCTOBER 2, 2014

GVMC BOARD MEETING

Overview Milestones Programs Partnerships Outreach

Milestones StaffStormwater Program CoordinatorBonnie Broadwater

GVSU Graduate AssistantBrian Zuber

KCAD Photography InternsAshley Dettloff & Christopher Struck

Environmental Programs 2009-2013

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013$0

$50,000

$100,000

$150,000

$200,000

$250,000

Revenues Expenses End Year Fund Bal

Combined NPDES with LGROW

ProgramsLower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW)NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) PermitEnvironmental EducationCommunity Resiliency and SustainabilityFarmland PreservationGrand River Restoration

LGROW Completed Business Plan August 2014 The Organization and its Environment The Programs/Services and Social Return on Investment Sustainable Human Resource Plan Governance and Leadership Sustainable Income Plan The Financials Articles of Organization & Bylaws Statement of Assets, Revenue, Expenditures, and Changes in

Fund Balance Strategic Plan Logic Model

Call to Action!

LGROW History & Purpose Began in the late 90’s as a Stormwater Task Force Relationships firmed up in 2002 Early efforts included the 2003 Grand River Beacon Focus has always had two parts

Governmental Compliance Environmental Stewardship

Scott Conners, P.E.

LGROW/MS4 What has LGROW done for you?

Collaborative Savings for Walker! 2002 Estimated cost of NPDES Compliance - $100,000 2003 Actual cost of NPDES Compliance - $13,000

Tremendous cost savings was realized as communities firmed up relationship and partnerships to share in the

cost of compliance. Scott Conners, P.E.

2003 Permit

Requirements

MS4 Stormwater Ordinance LGROW has led the state in collaboration on regional stormwater ordinance

creation.

The MDEQ’s MS4 Stakeholder Group has representation from Walker, Grand Rapids, & KCRC…..all of which represent LGROW and our entire region!

Kent County’s Model Ordinance has set the stage for continued cooperation and now this ordinance is the backbone of our proposed 2014 rewrite to meet the new regulations proposed as part of our new MS4 permit requirements.

LGROW and our local MS4 group is now reaching out to state officials with alternative approaches to proposed design restrictions in an effort to balance development with good environmental practice. AS A REGION! This process has been engaged by local government agencies, local MDEQ staff, the design community, and even the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce..

Scott Conners, P.E.

LGROW/MS4

City of Grand RapidsWatershed approach allowed transition from Phase I to Phase II Community to join other communities in watershed-based permitCommittee structure promotes sharing of resources and expertiseStormwater Ordinance (the SWOrd)Public Education Plan/Public Awareness and Marketing

(PEP/PAM) Data, Information, and Procedures (DIP)

Carrie Rivette, P.E.

LGROW/MS4

City of Grand RapidsPublic Education Plan/ Public Awareness and Marketing (PEP/PAM)

Carrie Rivette, P.E.

LGROW/MS4

City of Grand RapidsData, Information, and Procedures (DIP)

Carrie Rivette, P.E.

LGROW/MS4

Village of Spring LakeJurisdictional to Watershed PermitConverted Stormwater Management Plan to align with Watershed Management Plan and other communities’ SWPPIsRegional cooperation allowed for cost savings and assistance in meeting permit compliance

Roger Belknap

Environmental Education

Building partnerships and presence in region Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative Groundswell Program

Lower Grand River Education Initiative GrantGrand Rapids Public Schools, Fountain Street Montessori School (4-6)Forest Hills Eastern Middle School (7-8)Kent Innovation High School (9-12)

Grand Rapids Public MuseumParticipation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) eventCollaborating on 3rd floor renovation – river exhibitsHosting LGROW 2014 Spring Forum

Grand Valley State University programsAnnis Water Resources InstituteDepartments of Geology, Biology, and Natural Resources Management

Mike Posthumus and Clay Pelon

Other ProgramsCommunity ResiliencyFarmland Preservation and ConservationGrand River Restoration Project

PartnershipsGrant Funded ProjectsTimberland RC&DOttawa Conservation DistrictPlaster Creek StewardsGR Public MuseumKent Conservation DistrictTrout UnlimitedGroundswell Ionia Conservation District

Partnerships Regional PartnersMiddle Grand River Organization of Watershed (MGROW)

Grand River Environmental Action Team (GREAT)

Macatawa Area Coordinating Council (MACC)

West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission (WMSRDC)

Outreach Social MediaWebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramE-newsletterGoogle+

Outreach EventsConferencesFarmers’ MarketsCity, County, and Local

Planning CommissionsStudents & TeachersProfessional Society

Presentations

Other MediaWYCEDetroit TVThe RapidianGrand Rapids PressOther groups’

newsletters

What’s Next?Send survey to GVMC board members Prioritize programmingAdd more staff for programsContinue collaboration with partners