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Stormwater Education and Involvement Programs Through Clemson Extension

Stormwater Education and Involvement Programs Through Clemson Extension. Urban Water Quality Issues Greensboro, NC July 17, 2008. What Is Carolina Clear?.

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Stormwater Education and Involvement Programs Through Clemson Extension

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  1. Stormwater Education and Involvement Programs Through Clemson Extension Urban Water Quality Issues Greensboro, NC July 17, 2008

  2. What Is Carolina Clear? 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.

  3. Why 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

  4. 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

  5. Who Can Carolina Clear Target? • 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

  6. 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

  7. The Cornerstones of Carolina Clear • 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 1992

  13. 2001

  14. 2010 3:1

  15. 2020 3:1

  16. 2030 3:1

  17. 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.

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. Questions? THANK YOU!

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