Together Were Better Katie Teague County Extension Agent – Agriculture/Water Quality.

““Together We’re Better”Together We’re Better”

Katie Teague

County Extension Agent – Agriculture/Water Quality

Historically, CES’ water quality educational emphases in Northwest Arkansas focused on agricultural BMPs

In 1998, water qualityprograms expanded toinclude urban nonpoint

pollution prevention

“What you do in and around

your home and in conjunction with

your business as an individual can

have a regional impact on

community water resources”

Message:

The Clean Water Act - 1972, 1977

… gave EPA the authority to implement pollution control programs

and

... established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States.

The cornerstone of surface water qualityprotection in the United States …

Phase I Storm Water Regulations

“Medium” and “ large” municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) generally serving a population of 100,000 or more

Construction activity disturbing 5 acres of land or greater

Ten categories of industrial activity

In 1990, EPA’s Storm Water Phase I programaddressed storm water runoff from:

Phase II Storm Water Regulations

• “Small” municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) generally serving a population of 10,000 or more or “urbanized areas”

• Construction activity disturbing >1 acre of land

In 2003, EPA’s Storm Water Phase II programexpanded the Phase I program by addressingstorm water runoff from:

Big changes, BIG challenges…

In 1990, new EPA regulationsrecognized urban runoff as

point source pollution

In 2003, 54 jurisdictions in Arkansas were required to have a plan and

a permit for storm water management

In Northwest Arkansas…

12 Cities, 2 Counties and University of Arkansas

all meet EPA’s criteria as “small” MS4sand had to address the six minimum control measures outlined in the Phase II Storm Water regulations

EPA minimum control measuresfor Phase II Stormwater regulations:

1) Public Education/ Public Outreach

2) Public Involvement/ Public Participation

3) Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination

4) Construction Site Runoff Control

5) Post-Construction Runoff Control

6) Pollution Prevention/ Good Housekeeping

NWA Storm Water Focus Team

• Initiated in 2002

• Composed of representatives from MS4s, CES and NWA Regional Planning Commission

• Purpose: To better understand and prepare for Phase II compliance by March 2003

• Extension served as educational resource for presentations, fact sheets and coordination of a “Storm Water Forum” for local governments officials

Storm Water ForumJanuary 2003

161 Participants

Mayors

City Aldermen

Planning Commissioners

County Judges

County JPs

Phase II regulations, legal implications, funding options

EPA minimum control measuresfor Phase II Stormwater regulations:

1)1) Public Education/ Public Education/ Public OutreachPublic Outreach

2)2) Public Involvement/ Public Involvement/ Public ParticipationPublic Participation

6)6) Pollution Prevention/ Pollution Prevention/ Good HousekeepingGood Housekeeping

4) Construction Site Runoff Control

5) Post-Construction Runoff Control

3) Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination

NWA Urban Storm NWA Urban Storm Water ProgramWater Program

• Concept evolved from storm water focus team

• 15 Jurisdictions paying into NWARPC to support CES program based on percent of urbanized area population

• “CES fits the bill perfectly as far as public education” Jeff Hawkins, NWA Regional Planning Commission

Shared Regional Support

MS4 Jurisdiction % Urbanized Area Population

Bentonville 10.77

Bethel Heights 0.38

Elkins 0.42

Elm Springs 0.02

Farmington 1.89

Fayetteville/U of A 32.52

Greenland 0.32

Johnson 1.11

Little Flock 1.01

Lowell 2.68

Rogers 20.08

Springdale 25.72

Benton County 1.09

Washington County 1.27

172,630 individuals

Shared Regional Support

MS4 Jurisdiction % Urbanized Area Population Program Cost

Bentonville 10.77 $61,679

Bethel Heights 0.38 2,156

Elkins 0.42 2,395

Elm Springs 0.02 113

Farmington 1.89 10.849

Fayetteville/U of A 32.52 186,173

Greenland 0.32 1,831

Johnson 1.11 6,328

Little Flock 1.01 5,781

Lowell 2.68 15,359

Rogers 20.08 119,111

Springdale 25.72 147,249

Benton County 1.09 6,265

Washington County 1.27 7,263

172,630 individuals $572,552

4½-Year Workplan4½-Year Workplan

• Input and Planning

• Educational Material Development

• Public Outreach

• Public Education

• Public Participation

• Municipal Employee Training

• Evaluation and Reporting

Input and PlanningInput and Planning

• Establish steering committees (representation based on urban population)

• Committee members identify and prioritize educational needs

• Provide input to guide public awareness campaigns and educational programs

• Committees evaluate program impact and plan further efforts

Committee Kickoff – July 2004

Program:• Background on Phase II

• Storm water dynamics

• Regional program

• Role of CES

Committee Discussions:• NWA storm water issues

• Educational priorities

• Target audiencesSouthern CommitteeSouthern Committee

Northern CommitteeNorthern Committee

Outcomes

• When re-convened, committee priorities were nearly identical

• Emphases: construction runoff and fertilization

• Audiences: Youth, construction community, local officials, general public

• Meet twice a year to evaluate progress and plan next steps

Educational Materials DevelopmentEducational Materials Development

• Printed materials

• PSAs

• Displays

• Website

• Regional Urban Home*A*Syst

• Industry-specific materials

EPAOutreachMaterials

Your “Watershed Footprint”affects regional water quality

steps for properLawn and Garden

Care• Leave grass clippings on the lawn to recycle nutrients and reduce phosphorus runoff into water resources

• Test your soil to determine nutrient application needs

• Read the label, measure the area to be treated and apply nutrients and chemicals precisely

• Scout your property regularly to detect and prevent pest problems as early as possible

• Sweep any fertilizer/pesticides spilled on driveways, sidewalks or streets back onto your lawn • Irrigate (0.25 to 0.5 inch) after applying fertilizer to get the nutrients into the soil where it can be used by the plants • Mulch or compost fall leaves

- Think about reducing packaging and product waste before buying a product (pre-cycling)

- Read labels to look for options that are not listed as toxic, caustic, flammable, poisonous, etc.

- Read and follow label directions precisely!

- Share leftovers (properly labeled) with friends and neighbors

- Some products like antifreeze, used motor oil, paint, and tires can be recycled. Residents of Madison County can bring household quantities of hazardous wastes including paint, batteries, solvents, cleaners, and pesticides to:

Haz-M.E.R.T., Inc.2633 Laurel Circle in Rogers(479) 621-9707open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (M-F), 8 a.m. - noon (Saturday)

Siloam Springs Recycling Center & Transfer Station(479) 524-8512Open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (M-F), 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Saturday)

steps to manageHazardous

Household Products

A watershed is an area of land which all drains to one point - usually a stream or lake. A bathtub is a good analogy, where all of the water from a shower head runs down the sides and bottom,ultimately flowing into the drain.

What is a watershed?

Because the waterways in the countyflow to Beaver Lake residents should:

- Understand drainage pathways - Recognize potential pollution impacts - Adopt pollution prevention actions - Promote public awareness/education

What does that mean forBenton County?

When vehicles are washed on paved driveways andparking lots, the soap and grime drains directly intostorm drains and waterways. Instead, wash your car ortruck on the lawn or take it to a commercial carwashwhere the dirty wash water is sent to a wastewater plantfor treatment.

Leaking vehicles deposit automotive fluids on driveways, parking lots and roads where they are easily washed into waterways with rainwater.

Prevention tips include:

- Using carpet strips to catch drips

- Performing routine vehicle maintenance to prevent and identify potential leaks

- Cleaning up outdoor spills of automotive fluids such as gasoline, oil, and antifreeze

- Never dumping used oil, antifreeze, or gasoline down a storm drain, in a ditch, or onto the ground

steps for properVehicle Maintenance

For more steps on protectingcommunity water resources visit:

www.arnatural.org

In towns, water running off of parks, lawns, driveways, streets, and parking lots flows untreated through ditches or storm drains directly to the nearest creek.

steps to protectRunoff Pathways

It is important to recognize that when water runs off your property, it carries soil, nutrients, chemicals, bacteria and oil and grease to regional water resources like Beaver Lake.

The Upper White River Watershed includes all of Benton County and parts of Benton, Boone, Madison, Newton and Washington Counties. It was ranked as the #1 priority in the state through “Arkansas’ Unified Watershed Assessment, 1998" as the watershed in mostneed of restoration practices as it includes:

- One state extraordinary water resource- One imperiled aquatic species- Drinking water supply for more than 300,000 people- One state impaired water body- Numerous state waters of concern- Interstate waters of concern

Beaver Lake and Illinois River Watersheds

In Process…

• Local watersheds fact sheet

• Fertilizer fact sheet to include with soil test results

• Regional Urban Home*A*Syst homesite evaluation guide

• List of stormwater resources and contacts

Public OutreachPublic Outreach

• Mass media promotion

• Displays

• Creek signs

• Utility bill inserts

• Nutrient management information with soil test results

• “Green Business” program

Newspaper Promo

• Northwest Arkansas Times

• Morning News

• Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

• Benton Co. Daily Observer

• Rogers Hometown News

Public Education

• School programs

• Creekside classrooms

• Civic presentations

• Lawn and garden programs

• Nutrient Applicator Trainings

Hands-On Youth Education

Project WETOutdoor classroomsEnviroScape runoff modelFishing simulator

ADEQ Inspection “Sweep”

• 120+ construction sites inspected in Benton & Washington Counties in July 2004

• 74 Sites without permit, inadequate sediment controls or sediment leaving site

• $245,000 in proposed fines, one company fined $17,500 for 5 sites

“NWA Construction Site Sediment and Erosion Control” workshop

202 developers, contractors,

engineers and planners

participatedInterest in what is expected and how

they can meet the requirements

November 2004

Evaluation

• 101 respondents

• 72% rated relevance of topics to their occupation as excellent or superior

• 47% gained new information

• 53% said workshop helped reinforce their understanding of storm water dynamics and compliance with Phase II regulations

52 participants interestedin a follow-up workshop focusing

on Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan development

and BMP design

Public Participation

• Master Gardener program

• Storm drain stenciling

• Creek clean-ups

• Stream Teams

Master Gardener Volunteers

Rain GardensRain GardensGardening with Water Quality in Mind

Rain gardens work for us in many ways… Increasing the amount of water that filters into the ground, which recharges groundwater supplies

Helping protect communities from flooding and drainage problems

Helping protect streams and lakes from pollutants carried by urban storm water – lawn fertilizers and pesticides, oil and other automotive fluids, and other harmful substances washing off roofs and paved areas

Enhancing the beauty of yards and neighborhoods

Providing valuable habitat for birds, butterflies and beneficial insects

Planting andMaintenance

Hardy NWA native speciesthat thrive in our ecosystemswithout chemical fertilizersand pesticides are the bestchoices.

Many rain gardens featureshrubs as well as wild flowersand grasses.

Weeding will be needed thefirst couple of years. By the third year, the native plants will begin to mature and out-compete the weeds.

After each growing season, the stems and seedheads can be left for winter interest, wildlife cover and bird food.

Once spring arrives, and new growth is

4-6” tall, cut all tattered plants back.

Placement andSizing

Where should a rain garden be built? Strategically placed near to hard surfaces such as sidewalks and drives or at gutter downspout outlets

At least 10 feet from the house foundation

In full or partial sun

In a fairly flat part of the yard (digging is easier!)

Not directly under a tree

Not directly over a septic system

Not where water already ponds (infiltration is slow!)

The size of the garden depends on: Lawn slope for depth

The soil type at the site

The size area that will drain to the rain garden

Lawn slope is < 4%, build a 3 to 5-inch deep gardenLawn slope is 5 - 7%, build a 6 to 7-inch deep gardenLawn slope is 8-12%, build an 8-inch deep garden

Integrate rain gardens intoexisting and future landscaping!

Construction

If the lawn is almost flat, you will digthe rain garden to the same depththroughout the rain garden, usingthe the soil to build a berm.

If the lawn is steeper, the high end will need to be dug out much more than the upper end and can be used to backfill the lower end to make it level.

After shaping the berm into a smooth ridge about a foot across, stomp on it so it is well-compacted. The berm should have very gently sloping sides; this helps to integrate the rain garden with the surrounding lawn and makes it less likely to erode.

Rain Garden: A landscaped area planted with wild flowers and other native vegetation to soak up rain water from the house roof, a sidewalk or driveway. When it rains, the garden fills with a few inches of water that slowly filters into the ground instead of running off into a storm drain.

While rain gardens help protect waterquality, they should also be an attractivefeature of your yard and neighborhood!

Municipal EmployeeTraining

• Nutrient management

• Integrated pest management

• Hazardous product management

• Vehicle maintenance

• Construction site inspections

Shared Regional Support = Cost-Effective!!!

Jurisdiction % Urbanized Pop.Program Cost (1st 6 months)

TotalProgram Cost

Bentonville 10.77 $6,838 $61,679

Bethel Heights 0.38 239 2,156

Elkins 0.42 266 2,395

Elm Springs 0.02 13 113

Farmington 1.89 1,203 10.849

Fayetteville/U of A 32.52 20,640 186,173

Greenland 0.32 203 1,831

Johnson 1.11 702 6,328

Little Flock 1.01 641 5,781

Lowell 2.68 1,703 15,359

Rogers 20.08 13,205 119,111

Springdale 25.72 16,325 147,249

Benton County 1.09 695 6,265

Washington County 1.27 805 7,263

Totals 172,630 individuals $63,475 $572,552

Average cost per capita/year = 74¢

But the partnerships include moreBut the partnerships include morethan just the participating MS4s …than just the participating MS4s …

• NWA Regional Planning Commission

• Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality

• Arkansas Natural Resources Commission

• Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

• Beaver Water District

• University of Arkansas

• Audubon Arkansas

• Lake Fayetteville Environmental Study Center

• Local watershed partnerships

and the list goes on and on!

• Educating each other about storm water

• Reducing the financial cost for implementing Phase II minimum control measures

• Increasing the effectiveness of public education and participation programs

• Protecting water quality on a regional basis

By working together, the Benton and Washington County MS4s are:

• Funding County Agent, secretary and para-professional positions through new city and County support

• Linking traditional Extension programs such as 4-H, Master Gardener and EHC with water quality education programs

• Increasing and enhancing urban partnerships with municipalities, schools, civic organizations, businesses and the construction community

• Expanding its clientele and reputation and in urban communities

At the same time, UACES is:

CES’ MS4-funded “Urban Storm Water Education Program” Model

• Program replicated in SE Arkansas among the cities of Pine Bluff and White Hall, UA Pine Bluff and Jefferson County

• Another possibly developing among the cities of Benton and Bryant and Saline County

Questions?