Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Stormwater Education Update AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 9/17/2012 Meeting Type: Work Session Staff Contact/Dept.: Rachael Chilton/DPW Meghan Murphy/ DPW Bill Hamann/DPW Len Goodwin/DPW Staff Phone No: (541) 726-3695 Estimated Time: 40 minutes S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Preserve Hometown Feel, Livability, and Environmental Quality ITEM TITLE: STORMWATER EDUCATION UPDATE ACTION REQUESTED: No action is requested; this is for information only. ISSUE STATEMENT: The City of Springfield Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) establishes goals, policies, and implementation actions that will achieve the City Council’s long-term objectives and ensure compliance with the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, which is currently under formal review for renewal by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). In support of the SWMP’s Minimum Control Measure #1 (Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts), City staff has developed a number of community programs. Staff will provide a brief update on the status of the City’s NPDES Phase II MS4 permit renewal process with the DEQ and give a presentation detailing a few of the stormwater education and outreach programs. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Council Briefing Memo DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City’s NPDES Phase II MS4 stormwater permit was issued in January, 2007 and expired December, 2011. A timely permit renewal application was filed in June, 2011 and is currently being reviewed by the DEQ. At this time, the City is operating under an administratively extended permit until the permit is renewed by DEQ. The SWMP was first adopted in 2004 and readopted in February, 2011. The SWMP provides policy and management guidance for activities affecting stormwater throughout the City. It is intended to help the City meet State and Federal water quality requirements and to meet local water resources management objectives. The SWMP includes six minimum control measures, each with a series of Best Management Practices and measurable goals that the City will implement. The Federal NPDES stormwater program places significant emphasis on public education to reduce stormwater pollution and increase watershed health. As such, the City has also placed significant emphasis on Minimum Control Measure #1, Public Education & Outreach on Stormwater Impacts. In recent years, staff has developed and implemented a number of stormwater education and outreach programs in order to increase awareness and stewardship throughout the community including Clean Water Gardens, Canines for Clean Water, Clean Water University, and Adopt-a-Waterway. Attachment 1 Page 1 of 3 M E M O R A N D U M City of Springfield Date: 9/12/2012 To: Gino Grimaldi From: Len Goodwin, Development & Public Works Director Bill Hamann, Environmental Services Supervisor Rachael Chilton, Public Information & Education Specialist Meghan Murphy, Environmental Services Technician II COUNCIL BRIEFING MEMORANDUM Subject: Stormwater Education Update ISSUE: The City of Springfield Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) establishes goals, policies, and implementation actions that will achieve the City Council’s long-term objectives and ensure compliance with the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, which is currently under formal review for renewal by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). In support of the SWMP’s Minimum Control Measure #1 (Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts), City staff has developed a number of community programs. Staff will provide a brief update on the status of the City’s NPDES Phase II MS4 permit renewal process with the DEQ and give a presentation detailing a few of the stormwater education and outreach programs. COUNCIL GOALS/MANDATE: Preserve Hometown Feel, Livability, and Environmental Quality. DISCUSSION: In 2004, the City Council first adopted Springfield’s SWMP. The Plan was readopted in February of 2011. One of the primary purposes of the SWMP is to establish a means for measuring, reporting, and adaptively managing the City’s water resources, through a set of established benchmarks that will ensure meaningful progress toward City Council objectives, and ensure compliance with the City’s NPDES Phase II MS4 stormwater permit. Springfield is obligated under the Federal Clean Water Act to apply for and maintain an MS4 permit under the NPDES program. Springfield was first issued such a permit in January, 2007 and filed a timely permit renewal application in June, 2011. The original permit expired in December of 2011 and the City is currently operating under an administratively extended permit while the permit renewal is being reviewed by the DEQ. The SWMP includes six Minimum Control Measures: #1: Public Education and Outreach on Stormwater Impacts #2: Public Involvement/Participation Attachment 1 Page 2 of 3 #3: Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination #4: Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control #5: Post-Construction Stormwater Management for New Development and Redevelopment #6: Pollution Prevention in Municipal Operations The federal NPDES stormwater program places significant emphasis on public education as part of the long-term solution to stormwater pollution. As such, education is a required element of the SWMP and has been a primary area of focus for staff. Recently, staff has developed and enhanced a number of stormwater education programs. Clean Water University In partnership with Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission, the City of Springfield began offering this program to Springfield School District 5th grade classes over the 2011/2012 school year. The program consists of ten hour long sessions and a half-day field trip over an eight week period. All of the sessions are hands-on and the interactive instruction is provided by City staff, along with all the necessary materials. At the end of the eight week period students participate in a “graduation” celebration. Canines for Clean Water In 2011, staff adapted Canines for Clean Water, originally developed by Clean Water Services in Hillsboro, Oregon, to fit with Springfield’s stormwater education program. City residents can pledge to pick up after their pet and receive a small recognition package that includes a bandana and a pet waste bag holder that attaches to a leash. Staff organizes pledge events at the local dog park on a periodic basis. Photos of dogs wearing the bandana are featured on the City’s website. Staff has also developed printed outreach materials to support the Canines for Clean Water program including a 2012 wall calendar, a poster series and a yard sign available free of charge for residents. Clean Water Gardens The Clean Water Gardens program was developed to help residents improve water quality and wildlife habitat in their landscapes. The program covers several subjects including: rain gardens, naturescaping, rainwater harvesting, invasive species, streamside gardening and pervious surfaces. Residents who participate in the program by planting a naturescape or installing a raingarden, pervious hardscape, or rainwater harvesting system receive a recognition package that includes a metal “Clean Water Garden” sign with a 24” stake, a native plant, two pairs of gardening gloves, and a recycled glass sun-catcher. Starting summer, 2012 staff will set up a Clean Water Gardens booth at local plant nurseries in order to heighten participation in the program. Adopt-a-Waterway Staff has developed the framework for an Adopt-a-Waterway program in order to improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and the aesthetics of Springfield’s urban waterways. Local groups (such as high school science classes, civic organization and youth groups) will adopt a local urban waterway over a two-year period. During that time, staff will work with the group to create site plan that would include a minimum of two work parties per year. Activities include trash clean-ups, invasive weed removal, plantings and other tasks identified in the plan. Attachment 1 Page 3 of 3 Staff will provide the group with guidance and a long-term enhancement plan for the adopted waterway. In addition, an on-site training and safety meeting, led by City staff, will be mandatory for all program volunteers. Staff is prepared to implement a pilot of this program in the coming weeks. CONCLUSION After a number of years of program development, the City’s stormwater outreach and education efforts are beginning to engage the community in a way that promotes stewardship and pride in our local environment. Staff will continue to improve existing programs and create new programs in order to reach additional audiences and motivate behavior change that will protect and enhance the community’s waterways. RECOMMENDED ACTION: No action is necessary, this is for information only.