MCM 7 : Public Education and Outreach / Public Involvement and Participation
I . Public Education and Outreach
The City of Arlington ’ s public education , outreach , involvement , and participation program encourages stewardship of the City ’ s surface water resources by raising awareness of the issues , providing information on best management practices that may be used to improve water quality , and providing opportunities for the public to provide meaningful input into the program . The education and outreach program promotes , publicizes , and facilitates public reporting of spills , fish kills , illicit discharges , and improper disposal of materials , and the management and disposal of HHW . The program also focuses on the proper use , application , and disposal of pesticides , fertilizers , and herbicides , pet waste management , and yard waste management . It also encourages citizens to report blocked or visibly broken storm drain pipes and other infrastructure to prevent flooding . The program is targeted to various audiences including children , residents , businesses , non-governmental entities , commercial and industrial facility operators / owners , and city staff .
During the reporting period , Stormwater and Recycling Educators continued to reach out to the public throughout a variety of educational activities . The following activities for the two divisions were provided during the reporting period . Supplemental Materials for all COA public education and outreach can be found in Appendix C .
A .
Stormwater : The Environmental Education Specialist ( henceforth , Stormwater Educator ) is responsible for all external education activities in support of the Stormwater Management Program . Stormwater education activities include outreach via social media , public outreach events and education material distribution , public and private elementary school education program , inlet decal program , and apartment program . The Stormwater Educator attended and / or held 15 external training and education events during the reporting period including 13 elementary school presentations reaching 1099 students .
** NOTE : Internal Education Programs ( PP / GH ) are described under MCM 4 : Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping .**
Public Outreach and Education via Web and Social Media :
A total of 10 web articles or listicles covering a range of stormwater topics were published using social media during the reporting period . In addition , important stormwater information is listed on the City ’ s Stormwater Management webpage .
Public Outreach and Education Material Distribution :
The Stormwater Educator attended or coordinated 14 public education and outreach events during the reporting period with combined citizen attendance totaling 1755 .
Materials Distribution :
The Stormwater Educator distributes educational material ( publications , pamphlets , brochures ) and promotional items at education events and presentations . The materials focus on either protecting surface water quality or flood safety and awareness . During the reporting period , the Stormwater Educator distributed the following :
CITY OF ARLINGTON TPDES STORMWATER ANNUAL REPORT – FY 2017
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