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Developing a MS4 Program

Managing the Challenges andExpectations of Permit Implementation

Eric W. Larson, PE, AICP, CPSWQ, CFMDirector of Environmental Engineering & LandManagement – Beaufort County, SC

Fowler Del Porto, PEProject Manager, Water ResourcesKCI Technologies

What We Will Cover

Introduction of MS4 MS4 Coverage Area

MS4 Program Elements

Expectations and Understanding Elected Official

Community

The Development Community

Getting the Word Out (using the Media)

Program Management (tips and tricks)

Staffing

Funding

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What is MS4?

US EPA’s Clean Water Act

Enacted in 1972

Amended in 1987

Point source pollution

Non-point source pollution

Municipal Separate Stormsewer Systems (MS4)

Phase I – 1999

Phase 2 – 2003

2010 U.S. Census expanded urban areas of manyCounties and Towns and SC-DHEC responds

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What does MS4 mean to us?

We will expand our scope of services

Regulations will get tougher

MS4 Requirements will dictate more effort &resources

Cost saving can be found through partnerships

Where is the MS4(s)?

The Urbanized Area of a Jurisdiction

50,000+ population

1,000 people/square mile

Adjacent to another MS4

MS4 boundaries can get tricky when municipalareas are incorporated within theunincorporated urban fringe

Municipal Limits overlay

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How is an MS4 implemented?

This “unfunded mandate” by the federal andstate governments has numerous programelements that must be established.

These elements are referred to as “MinimumControl Measures”

The MS4 Program Elements

Minimum Control Measures (MCM)

1. Public Education

2. Public Outreach and Involvement

3. Illicit Discharge, Detection, and Elimination (IDDE)

4. Construction Run-Off

5. Post – Construction Best Management Practices(PC-BMP)

6. Good Housekeeping in Municipal Operations

MCM1Public Education

Permit requires:

Identify target audiences

Develop focused messages

Goal = Continue past efforts and grow the programwith an unified message

Our greatest opportunity for partnerships amongmunicipalities

Includes employee training in all six MCMs

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MCM 2 – PublicOutreach andInvolvement

Permit requires

Development of informal advisory groups

Create involvement opportunities

Storm drain marking

Stream clean up

Volunteer stream monitoring programs

Speaking / Exhibiting at public events

Educating students via school curriculum

MCM 3 - IDDE

Permit requires System map

Ordinance prohibiting non-stormwater flows

Inspection program

Enforcement

Pushes DHEC authority to the local level

Consistent regulation is needed

MCM 4 – Construction Run Off

Permit requires Ordinance requiring local erosion

control program, includingStormwater Pollution PreventionPlans (SWPPP)

Inspection Enforcement

Like IDDE, a consistent program isneeded as DHEC jurisdiction isdelegated to multiplemunicipalities in the County

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MCM 5 – PC-BMP

Permit requires Ordinance requiring PC-BMPs

Plan review and inspection(public AND private)

Enforcement

Our stormwatermanagement plan willinclude revisiting your currentstandards Add the program components

not in place

MCM6 – Good Housekeeping Permit requires

Inventory and assessment of the “MS4”

Buildings and facilities, stormsewers, BMPs

Identify high priority areas

Inspect annually

Have plan to prevent pollution in ALL maintenanceactivities

Have a program to maintain the “MS4”

Goal = Assess our “Assets” and develop a strategyfor long term maintenance and operations thatprotects water quality

Monitoring

Permit requires

Identification of Outfalls (See IDDE)

Wet and Dry Weather screening

Constituents for testing will likley grow from your currentlist

Lab and field analysis

TMDL requires additional effort

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Expectations & Understanding

Restoring Elected OfficialKnowledge

Hold a workshop when the camerasaren’t rolling

Talk to them one on one

Find a “champion” or two

Take them on a tour of yourinfrastructure

Develop a business plan

They won’t understand the permitrequirements, so remind them of theO&M and CIP needs

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Set up a Sounding Board

Stormwater Advisory Committee Staff

Your elected “Champions”

Related agencies

Development Community

Target citizen groups

Target Services and Industry

Partnerships

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Put a name and face on yourprogram

Marketing / Branding

Acronym

Logo

Catch Phrase

Decide how to use it to “sale” theprogram to kids and adults

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The Marketing Effort

Letterhead

Business Cards

Billboards

Giveaways Stress Balls

Water bottles

Sponsored discount cards

Trucks, Uniforms

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Get the Word Out

Seek opportunities to speak tocommunity groups and leaders Rotary, Lions Clubs

Leadership groups

HOA meetings

Home Builders Meetings

The message is simple, but focused

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Make Friends in High Places

Media relationships are critical

Newspaper “political beat” reporter

Local TV news - Get to know the weather girl!

Find local radio

Local public information station on Cable?

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Training, Training, Training

Sounds so simple, but often overlooked

Don’t underestimate the value of frequentcommunication with the elected officials,development community, SWAC, communitygroups, staff Deliver the same message every time (reinforcement)

Keep it simple

Make it relevant

EPA has free Training Materials available on theirwebsite

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How to get them to listen

Budget money for: Lunch and Learn, snacks

Handouts (brochures, flyers, freebies, etc.)

Website development

Laptop, projector, screen

Find out the best time and location, and go tothem

Train in small Groups - no more than 20 at atime

Be willing to work overtime

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They’re “informed”, nowwhat? Use your connections and get them involved

Ordinance development

Policy / Procedure development

Enforcement

Outreach events

Facilitate Sub-committees

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Tips for MCM 1 and 2

Find a way into the schools

Soil Conservation Service

Science Teachers

Use the Carolina Clear toolkit

Find volunteers that are good teachers

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Pick an Annual Event

Do you have a community event that you canset up a booth? Arts Show

Street Festival

County Fair

Parade

Make it the focus of your annual effort

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Be Seen

Uniforms

Vehicles

Banners

“Do”, don’tjust “Say”

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More “being seen”

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Lead by example

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• Recycling

• Share media in partnershipwith event organizers

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Give citizens a chance to beinvolved

Stream Clean-ups *

Stenciling *

Litter Clean-ups *

Rain Barrels

Workshops

What are othersdoing?

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* Budget for “Stuff”

Let them be heard

Citizen Complaint /Concern Database

Can be linked toGIS for long-termassetmanagement

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Tips for MCM 3

Invest in a good map Makes dealing with complaints and investigations easier Enhances record keeping

Partner with your Code Enforcement Departmentand Attorney

Finding Common Threads Sewer Dept. I&I program Lab Work

Find a lab partner Establish a relationship/

MOU with your SanitarySewer Utility

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Tips for MCM 4

Staff inspection Find teachable moments

Work with the Developer and Contractor,not against them Make expectation clear and consistent up

front

Meet your DHEC inspector and work withthem Ditto for Building Inspection

Establish a local permitting program Identify your problem areas

Make it easy and cheap to submit aSWPPP

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Tips for MCM 5 Routine Inspection and

Inventory

Keep As-Built Drawings

Private Owner Education /Outreach

Teachable moments

Have a plan to maintainthe BMPs if you requirethem

Maintain your BMPs –Practice what you preach

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Tips for MCM 6 Good data management Training for Public Works staff Do something the citizens can see Maintain your system Be seen when doing inspections

Find those common threads Water and Sewer Department Parks Public Works (street sweeping) Recycling Co-permittees

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Staffing You will need more help

Staffing isn’t always hiring more people

Partner with Non-profits and VolunteerGroups Boy Scouts

Churches

Consultant Help

Interlocal Agreements with: P&Z

Building Inspection

Water and Sewer Department

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Funding We all know the General Fund isn’t the answer Develop your business plan and budget to distinguish

between: Permit Compliance O&M Capital Improvements Everyone will see the permit “bean counting” is the small

cost

Use your “Champions” to encourage dedicatedfunding

Look for grants, partnerships 319 Grants, etc. Volunteer Groups

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Final ThoughtsThe most important thing to keep in mind…

Keep your DHEC representative happy!

Stock your office kitchen with their favorite snacks!

Know the location of their favorite Restaurant in town!

Seriously, a good working relationship with DHEC isimportant

Communicate your status regularly and ask for advice

They are there to help I have found you get credit for “trying”

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Questions?

Eric W. Larson, PE, CFM,CPSWQ, AICP

Beaufort County, SCStormwater Utility

Department120 Shanklin RoadBeaufort, SC 29906(843) 255-2805 or (843)

255-2812 direct(843) 592-1252 mobileelarson@bcgov.net

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Fowler Del Porto, PEKCI Technologies2456 Remount RoadSTE 308, SC 29412(843) 225-4122(843) 568-2095 mobileFowler.DelPorto@kci.com