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.