PHASE II HOME

Measure 1 home

1a: Establish a program

1b: Informational web site

1c: Develop materials

1d: Disseminate materials

Education Partnerships

SITE MAP
 
NC-CES

 

 Education partnership

This is not a measure required under your Phase II stormwater permit. However, reading and applying this section may make it easier for you to meet the requirements of your permit.

Partnerships are paramount in educating the public about stormwater. A successful partnership can help you save money and reach a broader audience. The NC Division of Water Quality encourages all Phase II local governments to develop partnerships for public education on stormwater.

Make sure to contact your local county extension agent to see if he or she can either assist your jurisdiction with its educational programs or provide complimentary stormwater education programs (for example, if your jurisdiction is doing a campaign on reducing fertilizer use, the agent may be able to provide specialized training for professional landscapers.)

Other possible partners include:

  •  Schools,
  •  Universities,
  •  Civic groups,
  •  Environmental organizations,
  •  Locals businesses and industries, and
  •  Nearby Phase II local governments.

Partnerships can be developed around sharing expenses for a project, contributing work hours towards a project, providing meeting space, sharing information. Be sure to acknowledge your partners in your efforts by promoting their logo, name, or web link. Agree on how this will be done to avoid conflicts further down the road.

Two examples of partnerships between local governments are:

  •  The Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP) The Clean Water Education Partnership (CWEP) is a cooperative nonpoint source pollution education and awareness program involving almost 30 local governments in the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse River Basins. CWEP's stormwater awareness campaign includes four media: television, radio, print, and internet.
     
  •  The Piedmont Triad Water Quality Partnership is a collaboration of eleven member governments, located in the North Carolina Triad, working together to educate  citizens and businesses about issues related to stormwater; including nonpoint source pollution, regulations, and best management practices. 

The most important partnerships will be the ones that you develop through local planning and involvement. It is crucial that your education coordinator and his or her cooperators be provided with financial support from the community to carry out a meaningful stormwater education program.