MCM 1 Public Education and Outreach

Anoka Conservation District staff giving a tour of a streambank stabilization project. Credit: Anoka Conservation District

Introduction

An educated and informed community can not only prevent pollution in stormwater, but also identify and report illicit discharges or construction activities that may negatively affect stormwater. Therefore, Minimum Control Measure (MCM) 1 of the MS4 General Permit requires every MS4 permittee to run an education and outreach program to teach their community about the impacts of stormwater discharge. The education and outreach program should fostering proper stormwater management behaviors.

Requirements

The MS4 General Permit requires MS4 permittees to:

• Distribute educational materials focused on high priority, stormwater specific issues and illicit discharge recognition and reporting.
• Develop an implementation plan that includes target audiences; activities and schedules; measurable goals for each audience; the staff in charge of implementing the plan; coordination with any outside organizations (if any); and an evaluation to measure whether the goals are being, or on track to be, met.
• Document activities, as described here.

Resources

Click on the blue links above in the "Requirements" section to get more information and resources specific to those permit requirements. In addition, all resources related to MCM 1 are below.

Fact sheets and guidance documents

• EPA MCM 1 guidance - EPA's guidance and suggested BMPs for an effective public education program

Documentation and tracking templates

• Documentation of dates and locations of input activities - City of Faribault's tracking template to document dates and locations of events for the annual public opportunity to provide input
• Documentation of dates and locations of input activities - City of Prior Lake's tracking template to document dates and locations of events for the annual public opportunity to provide input
• Documentation of public education activities held - East Metro Water Resource Education Program's method to document public education activities
• Documentation of public education activities held - City of Fairbault's method to document public education activities
• Documentation of public education activities held - Scott Soil and Water Conservation District's method to document public education activities
• Documentation of quantities and descriptions of educational materials distributed and activities held - City of Prior Lake's method to document quantities and descriptions of educational materials distributed and activities held
• Documentation of quantities and descriptions of educational materials distributed and activities held - City of Faribault's method to document quantities and descriptions of educational materials distributed and activities held

Example procedures

• Public education implementation plan - Scott Soil and water Conservation District's public education implementation plan
• Public education implementation plan - Arden Hills' public education implementation plan
• Public education implementation plan - City of Crystal's public education implementation plan

Educational materials

• EPA Outreach toolbox - EPA's outreach materials that can be used to promote proper stormwater management in your community
• EPA's Soak Up the Rain Campaign - Provides template and customizable outreach tools and resources to educate and engage your community on the impacts of stormwater pollution and how to help solve the problem
• Red Wing Public Lawn Mowing Public Service Announcement - Short video on the importance of mulching grass and keeping grass clippings in residents' lawns and out of the storm sewer.