Town Of West Monroe: Stormwater Management: Public Involvement and Participation [Digital Towpath]

The Public Involvement and Participation minimum control measure focuses activities on specifically involving the public in the development, implementation and evaluation of the local stormwater management program. Many of the public participation and public involvement activities undertaken by the MS4 are included in the discussion of other Minimum Control Measures included in this website. For example, public participation activities regarding construction and post-construction stormwater management should emphasize involvement of the public in the development of local laws, comments on Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans, and access to reporting hotlines. These activities are all discussed as part of those respective Minimum Control Measures. Additionally, the development and use of this website, itself, meets many of the requirements for public involvement and participation.

In the general sense, this Minimum Control Measure requires the MS4 to involve the public in all aspects of the local stormwater program. Activities may include, but are not limited to: ensuring compliance with public notice and open meetings law; identification of key stakeholders; publishing contact information; obtaining public input on local laws, annual reports and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs); and sponsoring volunteer activities that directly involve the public in stormwater management activities.

To meet the public involvement and public participation requirements, the MS4 has selected the following Best Management Practices (BMP's) and activities to ensure the reduction of all pollutants of concern in stormwater discharges to the maximum extent practicable. The activities include a number of practices designed to seek public input on programmatic requirements. They may also include specific activities that encourage hands-on public involvement and participation.

Published Stormwater Contact Information Description of BMP/Activity: Identify and publish information concerning the MS4's stormwater management contact. This activity may involve working with the MS4 staff, boards and agencies to identify the most qualified person(s). The name or title of this contact and the telephone number is published and kept updated with the State via the Municipal Compliance Certification Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity: Program Development: Supervisor Implementation: Supervisor Frequency of Activity: Program Development: Single Occurrence (Includes Updates As Needed) Implementation: Single Occurrence (Includes Updates As Needed) Status - Program Development: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [X] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [ ] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit. Status - Implementation: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [X] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [ ] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit.
Annual Report Public Notice and Presentation Description of BMP/Activity: The public is provided notice regarding the availability of the MS4's stormwater program annual report and the report is presented at a meeting open to the public or via the internet. The public has the ability to review the annual report, ask questions about the report and make comments on the report. Any public comments received on the draft annual report are attached to the respective Annual Report submissions to the State. Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity: Program Development: Supervisor Implementation: Supervisor Frequency of Activity: Program Development: Annually Implementation: Annually Status - Program Development: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit. Status - Implementation: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit.
Public Access to the Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMPP) Description of BMP/Activity: The development and use of this website, itself, provides the public with access to all aspects of the MS4's stormwater management program and plan. The public has the ability to review all documents, ask questions about the various programs, and submit comments. Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity: Program Development: Supervisor Implementation: Supervisor Frequency of Activity: Program Development: On-going/Continuous Implementation: On-going/Continuous Status - Program Development: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit. Status - Implementation: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit.
Stormwater Hotline Description of BMP/Activity: Establish a hotline by telephone, as a web-based tool, or by other means where the general public can contact the MS4 to report stormwater concerns such as spills, illegal dumping, flooding, washouts, or standing water. This activity may contribute to the MS4s understanding of local conditions and keeps the public actively involved in managing stormwater runoff Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity: Program Development: Supervisor Implementation: Supervisor Frequency of Activity: Program Development: Single Occurrence (Includes Updates As Needed) Implementation: Single Occurrence (Includes Updates As Needed) Status - Program Development: [X] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [ ] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit. Status - Implementation: [X] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [ ] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit.
Community Clean-up Events Description of BMP/Activity: Develop and sponsor programs to involve the public in the clean-up of streams, roadsides, beaches, wetlands or other areas that may influence water quality Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity: Program Development: Supervisor Implementation: Supervisor Frequency of Activity: Program Development: Annually Implementation: Annually Status - Program Development: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [X] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [ ] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit. Status - Implementation: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit.
Attitude Survey Description of BMP/Activity: Develop and implement a survey to determine how the public perceives stormwater management or specific stormwater management issues affecting the MS4. The results of the survey can enlighten both stormwater managers and the public on pollution sources, stormwater effects, and/or management options. Public attitude surveys can also reveal issues important to stakeholders and the information obtained can be used to determine how best to incorporate the public's needs and desires into the overall goals of a stormwater management program. Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity: Program Development: Supervisor Implementation: Supervisor Frequency of Activity: Program Development: Annually Implementation: Annually Status - Program Development: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [ ] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [X] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit. Status - Implementation: [ ] Completed - This activity has been completed [X] Short-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the current reporting year. [ ] Long-Term - This activity will be accomplished within the 3 to 5 year permit cycle. [ ] On-Going - This activity will be undertaken throughout all years of the permit.

Regulated communities are required to collect and report information about the development and implementation of their stormwater program. Specific information that the MS4 is required to collect is generally included in the Annual Report and may also be reflected in related Self-Assessments (as applicable). MS4s are also required to identify "Measurable Goals" that will help them evaluate accomplishments and progress over time. The following "Measurable Goals" have been specifically identified for this Minimum Control Measure:

Number of Annual Report comments received from the public
Number of SWPPP comments received from the public
Number of calls to the Stormwater Hotline
Number of participants in various events

Activities and BMPs that have been accomplished to date for this Minimum Control Measure are included within the required MS4 Stormwater Annual Report form and Municipal Compliance Certification. Copies of these documents can be found at the following link (Annual Reports). Copies of various documents and specific products relating to this minimum control measure are included under "Related Documents".

A summary of the effectiveness of this program, associated BMPs, activities and an assessment of measurable goals can be found under the heading "Program Reporting and Effectiveness".

EPA Public Involvement and Participation Fact Sheet
EPA Public Involvement and Participation Homepage
EPA Getting In Step: A Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns
EPA Getting in Step: Engaging and Involving Stakeholders in Your Watershed