Collaborative Public Education Program (PEP) — Stormwater 2025

Background

The objective of the Public Education Program (PEP) is to increase knowledge and change the behavior of the public so that pollutants in stormwater runoff are reduced. Distribution of educational materials or equivalent outreach is considered Best Management Practices (BMP) for the PEP procedures. Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permittees may work collaboratively with watershed or regional partners on any or all BMPs.

Responsible Party

The collaborative permittees are all responsible for ensuring implementation of the PEP. The collaborative permittees will implement and provide leadership on the public education activities listed in this plan. The collaborative permittees are the City of Midland, Midland County Drain Commissioner, Midland County Road Commission, and Lincoln Township.

Target Audience

Target audiences which will be reached are listed below.

• General public/ residents
• Educational institutions
• Businesses
• Employees
• Contractors

Delivery Mechanisms

The delivery mechanisms are listed below, and the collaborative permittees will select appropriate mechanism(s) per educational topic.

• Social media campaign
• Display or presentation at in-person event
• E-mail newsletter
• Website
• Brochure rack in high traffic location
• Educational signage
• Posters
• Promote and/or participate in clean-up event(s) with educational component
• Storm drain markers
• Educational art installations
• Pet waste disposal signage/baggy stations

Implementation Schedule

Quarterly, a minimum of one key message will be communicated through either social media or other similar selected delivery mechanism. All topics from the Public Education Topics and Implementation Plan section below will be covered at least once annually. Ongoing information will be provided on the website. Displays, presentations, and promotion of events will be completed as relevant events are scheduled.

Overall Evaluation

Once per permit term, a survey will be provided to the public to determine behavior changes or perceived impression of pollutant issues. The surveys will be gathered at the end of each permit term and added to the information collected from previous permit terms. Such measures are expected to include public comment and feedback and level of participation in programs and events. These mechanisms can be useful in determining whether the education effort is reaching the audience; however, it is difficult to evaluate behavior change resulting from the education activity using these purely quantitative methods. It is understood and stated by EGLE that these surveys do not necessarily need to be statistically validated. The collaborative permittees will re-evaluate this PEP and make necessary changes that will efficiently utilize resources and available funds.

Public Education Topics and Implementation Plan:

Each topic will be messaged annually as detailed in the tables below. Each collaborative permittee will be responsible for selecting the delivery mechanism that they feel will work best for them and the associated measurable goal will apply. A minimum of one delivery mechanism will be selected per key message.