MS4 Permit Minimum Control Measure #1: Education and Outreach – Part I Meeting Requirements for Residents and Businesses or Institutions Audiences for Quality Limited Waters (Impaired for Phos and Nit) and TMDL Requirements (Bacteria and Phos) - 3 messages per year Message 1: Fertilizer – P and N Impaired (this set draws heavily from existing materials available through UNH Cooperative Extension (CE) and NH Sea Grant (NHSG) primarily for Do-It-Yourselfers) Year Objective NROC Activities MS4 Activities Measurement Desired impact 1 Residents to leave grass clippings after mowing. Design messages and messaging for transfer station Create and assemble materials for this action - (rulers, etc.) with messaging and URL Create entries with for SSC blog Purchase and sign(s) at transfer station Distribute promotional materials with a link leading to SSC blog (measures # of promotional materials distributed # of hits to blog More residents (esp. who would ordinarily remove clippings and bring them to transfer station) leave them on the lawn after mowing as a source of slow release nutrients. In addition, residents know associated mowing practices – mow high, no more than 1/3 blade, etc. 2 Residents adopt good turf cultural practices (sans fertilizer) including testing their soil in order to have a snapshot of soil condition before taking further steps. Repackage info piece of WQFriendly recommendations for practices regardless of fertilizer use, Draft a press release with a link to soil test info for MS4s to promote Track # of soil tests through soils lab UNHCE Distribute info materials or press release Pay for first #? soil tests (measures change in soil test submissions relative to historic averages for that town, possibly attributed to promotion) increase in # of soil tests submitted to Extension soil lab by town/city residents. More residents submit soil samples for testing in order to have site specific guidance on what to do (or not do) to improve their soil’s ability to grow grass. Soil test information, like soil phosphorus levels, potassium levels, pH and organic material, for example, should influence a consumer’s choice of lawn care products based on what is needed or not needed. 3 Residents that are going to apply fertilizer identify Repackage WQ friendly recommendations for applying fert Promote recommendations (measures reach) # of hits to webpage Residents who apply fertilizer apply according to WQFriendly
Year Objective NROC Activities MS4 Activities Measurement Desired Impact 1 (RB) Determine base line # of poop piles at a known site News readers OR or tax bill recipients learn about pet waste issue OR event attendees learn about pet waste issue. (RB) Develop assessment protocol and share with MS4s webpage or blog to link to information article and bill insert with link to webpage or blog Package existing templates of tags and other materials from “The Inside Scoop” NHDES program. (RB) Conduct assessment in spring – work with local animal control officer if there is one. Release article OR mail municipal bill insert Provide hand-outs and dog bones with pet waste tags about issues (RB) Re-assess # of poop piles. Yes/no results Count articles printed (maybe include readership?) OR count bills mailed Count website or blog hits bones distributed and/or sign pledge Dog owners or walkers increase knowledge about amount of potential pet waste from area dogs could get into the water and the impacts from bacteria and increased nutrients to water quality. 2 Dog license applicant & renewals learn about pet waste issue Prep materials for MS4 agents to distribute at town/city halls OR local veterinarians Distribute materials How many dog owners received materials website or blog hits Dog owners increase knowledge about amount of potential pet waste from area dogs could get into the water and the impacts from bacteria and increased nutrients to water quality. 3 Residents about pet waste ordinance & fines (if any) Provide MS4s with templates & guidance on ordinance & signage placement Develop signage & locate in key places (based on yr. 1 assessment or new problem spot) Redo poop pile assessment from yr. 1. Dog owners or walkers increase knowledge about financial incentives to pick up pet waste and pick up and dispose pet waste properly. 4 Dog owners sign pledge to pick-up pet waste 90% of the time Provide pledge & training to clerks OR local veterinarians Provide raffle suggestions for pledges Support clerks to gather pledges # of pledges Dog owners or walkers pick up and dispose pet waste properly and create norms around responsible pet waste behavior. 5 Provide bag dispensers and collection cans at Provide info on where to get materials and how to track. ID hot spots or need and buy, install, and # installed and amount collected in cans. Dog walkers or dog park users collect and dispose of pet waste properly.
garden club or UNH CE Master Gardeners OR host compost bin sale (Use NRRA or vendor) advertise (city of Nashua did this) number of bins sold 4 Residents abutting waterbodies understand regulations or impacts regarding dumping of leaf and yard near or in waterbodies. Draft targeted mailing template for waterbody abutters. signage text and SOP for posting near frequent dumping locations Create waterbody abutter mailing list, edit mailing template, and mail notice Purchase and place signs at dumping incident locations (measures “reach”) # of mailers and signs (if used) (measures “impact”) decrease in # of dumping incidents Incidents of leaf and yard dumping near or in waterbodies are reduced. 5 Redo any of above? CT NEMO Septic Systems – P Impaired and Bacteria or P TMDL (RB=Research-based) Year Objective NROC Activities MS4 Activities Measurement Desired Impact 1 (RB) Determine baseline of septic system inspection requests News readers OR water or tax bill recipients learn about septic system maintenance, cost (RB) Develop SOP for identifying method to track septic system pump outs (using change in WW Tx plant tonnage from haulers) or septic system inspection requests. Use EPA “Septic Smart” information to help draft webpage to link to Follow SOP and tracking spread sheet Release article OR mail municipal bill insert and provide at venues. Track tonnage hauled to WW Tx plant or # of calls for pumpouts and inspections. (measures Count articles printed (maybe include readership?) OR count bills mailed Residents increase knowledge about septic system maintenance and water quality impacts. Increased # of pumpouts and inspections recorded by industry
savings, and water quality issues Draft information article and bill insert with link to webpage or blog OR use EPA SepticSmart flyer with local information on sticker on back Count website or blog hits 2 Local cable access and on-line viewers see NHDES septic system videos Coordinate with SNHPC on inserting questions after video. Provide videos and SOP on using them Post on local cable access Track viewings (measures “reach”) # of viewers recorded Residents increase knowledge about septic system maintenance and water quality impacts. Increased # of pumpouts and inspections recorded by industry 3 Residents attend septic system care workshop Identify potential workshop presenters and draft agenda Promote and host workshop. Could include incentive of several free inspections or pumpouts # of attendees # sign-up for free inspections or pumpouts if offered Residents increase knowledge about septic system maintenance and water quality impacts. Increased # of pumpouts and inspections recorded by industry 4 Redo any of above? 5 Redo any of above?