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*[https://www.epa.gov/soakuptherain 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
 
*[https://www.epa.gov/soakuptherain 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
 
*[https://youtu.be/V28LeETyLSQ 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
 
*[https://youtu.be/V28LeETyLSQ 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
 +
*[http://cgee.hamline.edu/WDD/|Water Down the Drain] - Hamline University Center for Global Environmental Education's interactive bilingual (English and Spanish) interactive educational website to teach about the impacts of impervious surfaces and stormwater pollution. For grades 4-8
 
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*[[media:Adopt-a-drain Pledge Info - St. Paul Park.pdf|Adopt-a-drain pledge]] - City of St. Paul Park's pledge to have residents adopt a stormwater drain to help prevent litter, leaves, and debris from entering the storm sewer system
 
*[[media:Adopt-a-drain Pledge Info - St. Paul Park.pdf|Adopt-a-drain pledge]] - City of St. Paul Park's pledge to have residents adopt a stormwater drain to help prevent litter, leaves, and debris from entering the storm sewer system

Revision as of 13:20, 13 February 2018

streambank stabilization tour photo
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 foster proper stormwater management behaviors.

MS4 General Permit requirements for MCM 1

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 "MS4 General Permit 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

Example procedures

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
  • Down the Drain - Hamline University Center for Global Environmental Education's interactive bilingual (English and Spanish) interactive educational website to teach about the impacts of impervious surfaces and stormwater pollution. For grades 4-8