The Rouge River Project
Bringing the river back to life!
Public Education/Information Plan Guidance
Guidance for preparing a Public Education Plan The Public Education Plan is a required component in an application for coverage under the NPDES General Wastewater Discharge Permit, Storm Water Discharges from Separate Storm Water Drainage Systems. The guidance set forth here reflects recommendations from the Rouge Program Office and municipalities with substantial public education experience. The Public Education Plan and other sections of the General Storm Water Permit Application should be submitted to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), Surface Water Quality Division, for review and approval. For further information on MDEQ review schedules, contact the Livonia District Office, 38980 Seven Mile Rd.., Livonia, MI 48152.
Appendix 1 available in PDF Format (14 K)
Public Education Program
for Stormwater Management in the Prepared by the Rouge Program Office A. Watershed-Wide Strategy for Public Education and Involvement 1. Introduction The Rouge River, with 127 miles of river channel, flows through 48 communities in southeastern Michigan. More than 467 square miles of land area is contained within the Rouge River Watershed. The Watershed is home to more than 1.5 million people in Wayne, Oakland, and Washtenaw Counties -- the most urbanized and densely populated watershed in Michigan. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs), raw sewage discharges, leaking septic systems, illegal connections, soil erosion, hazardous substances, and other pollutants pose challenges for Rouge River restoration. On the positive side, 50 miles of riverfront parks, interagency cooperation, and expanding leadership offer hope and a strong vision for continued Rouge restoration. The Rouge Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project (Rouge Project) is a comprehensive program to restore the water quality of the Rouge River. This federal/state/local cooperative watershed management program is supported by multi-year federal grants with matching funds provided by local communities. The goal of the project is to restore all tributaries of the Rouge River to meet public health standards. The comprehensive restoration strategy is (1) to recognize the connection between the Rouge River and the social and economic future of the region; (2) to implement a multimedia approach to pollution control (e.g., addressing air, land and water); and (3) to maintain a locally-driven program. Major progress has been made to date in remediating combined sewer overflows and direct sewage discharges to the Rouge River. These accomplishments have led to a cleaner river, enhanced opportunities for recreation, and a heightened level of awareness and interest in the Rouge River. As restoration efforts continue, partnerships among diverse organizations are becoming increasingly important. Partnerships are essential to effective education and public involvement. Through the partnerships, the vision of quality recreation opportunities linked with water quality remediation is becoming a reality. As stated in the 1994 Rouge River Remedial Plan Update, "The only way that the Rouge River will have a better future is for all watershed stakeholders to share in the responsibility of cleaning it up." Sustained stewardship of the Rouge, carried out on a day-to-day basis, needs to involve grassroots neighborhood organizations, businesses, municipalities, schools, citizens and community organizations throughout the Watershed. 2. Why Public Education and Involvement? Public education and public involvement are essential, interrelated components of the Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Program. Through education outreach to a wide range of target audiences, efforts are being made to strengthen the connection of the Rouge River with community life and identity. Through public involvement, a two-way communication network is being established to ensure that project activities reflect local community priorities. Public education and involvement are interrelated. Without strong outreach and education of the public, the widespread participation in river restoration and protection activities will not occur. The types of restoration and protection actions are widely varied, including the following:
These specific types of actions will be built upon the vision that has already been formulated and projected -- a Rouge River that is an asset to the quality of life of local communities with a wide range of recreation opportunities available. 3. The Challenge of Storm Water Runoff and River Restoration During 1997, five major CSO (combined sewer overflow basins) were completed and 800 acres of combined sewers were separated. Monitoring results show that removals of sewage are generally in excess of 85%. While costly, these engineering improvements can be effectively designed, financed, constructed and monitored. Other sources of pollution include illegal connections to storm drains, septic systems, and storm water runoff. These sources are difficult to control and require the involvement of many individuals and agencies to achieve results. Education and public information, leading to a wide range of small projects and actions, are believed to be essential for achieving the "next steps" in storm water quality improvements. Storm water runoff is a significant source of pollution because it often carries bacteria, heavy metals, nutrients, oil and grease, pesticides, and soil particles. Rain and snow melt carry these pollutants into storm drains and overland into water bodies. Many of the pollutants carried in storm water runoff require oxygen to break down, thereby depleting the Rouge River of oxygen needed by fish and other aquatic species for survival. Habitat protection and restoration, including wetlands protection and restoration, log jam removal, streambank planting, and other activities can benefit storm water quality and help support recreational activities in all sections of the Rouge River. Michigan is now administering the nation's first voluntary storm water general permit. Habitat restoration projects, including enhancements to the Inkster wetlands, participation in state wetlands banking, Newburgh Lake and stream restoration, log jam removal, and other projects are underway or completed. Storm water quality and habitat restoration improvements are believed to be some of the most challenging aspects of Rouge River restoration. Nationally, there are few examples of urban success stories to draw upon. Because significant portions of the Rouge River are urbanized and paved, restoration -- rather than prevention -- is needed. In developing and undeveloped areas of the watershed, the challenge is to motivate developers and landowners to minimize soil erosion and storm water runoff, so that development proceeds with strong water quality safeguards. The public education challenge for the future will be to build on past successes and the increasing strength of partnerships with a wide range of organizations. Continued outreach with watershed-wide public information messages and activities are vital to the future. At the same time, the variations among subwatersheds and individual communities supports the need for community-specific education and public involvement efforts. 4. Purpose of this Report This report summarizes the education strategies and projects that have been implemented by the Rouge Program Office and its partners over the past two years. For 1998-1999, new attention is being placed on the municipal level. Municipalities which have voluntarily indicated their interest in obtaining a general permit will be preparing their own public information and education plans, working in cooperation with citizens and businesses in their communities. This report has been prepared, in part, to help inform local officials about the scope of public education and involvement activities on a watershed and subwatershed level which will help support local municipal efforts. Because of the broad extent of public education activities carried out to date, the report also serves the purpose of giving all partners a chance to reflect on the total education effort. B. Historical Evolution of Rouge River Public Awareness Until watershed-wide cleanup projects were initiated by Friends of the Rouge, broad understanding of the Rouge River's recreational and aesthetic potential was often overlooked. Long-term residents recall family picnics and canoe trips during the 1930s and 1940s -- opportunities which were made possible by the 50 miles of parkland acquired by the City of Detroit and Wayne County in the 1920 - 1940 period. However, extensive urbanization and development, combined sewer overflows (considered "state of the art" technology when they were built in the 1920s and 1930s), raw sewage discharges, soil erosion, and illegal dumping, among other problems, created a different image in many areas of the Rouge River watershed. The Rouge River Remedial Action Plan (RAP), originally published in 1989, sets forth an ambitious 20-year program of actions needed to protect public health and to make progress toward full cleanup of the Rouge River. In 1994, the RAP was updated. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (now the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) organized the Rouge RAP Advisory Council (RRAC) to represent all parties with an interest in the cleanup of the Rouge River. RRAC has formed subcommittees to deal with specific issues and has provided advice related to the RAP update and implementation. Turning around the negative image and addressing very serious water quality problems has represented a major challenge for public information and education over the past decade. Beginning in the mid 1980's, Friends of the Rouge, as a nonprofit citizen organization, has carried out two essential projects: (1) the annual Rouge Rescue, with more than 20 cleanup sites; and (2) the Rouge Education Project involving student monitoring of the river water quality. These projects have been systematically sustained for nearly 15 years, creating a base of awareness and grassroots support for additional water quality improvements. Of particular note is the success of the school river monitoring program, developed by Dr. William Stapp from the University of Michigan, in connecting high school students from throughout the watershed. The project has led to Project GREEN, an interactive water quality project now found in 136 countries throughout the world. Despite these program successes, the challenge of educating and motivating the public to participate directly in Rouge River watershed improvement remains. The first phase of the Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project has emphasized the following educational messages:
During 1996 - 1998, Rouge education outreach has been directed at the following audiences:
Examples of the education outreach strategies used to reach out to these audiences are outlined below. The results of the outreach and continuing education challenges are also noted.
C. Watershed-Wide Outreach to the General Public - Activity Description 1. Portable Display with Handout Materials: Watershed Awareness/Our Actions Affect the Rouge The portable display titled "Our Actions Affect the Rouge", featuring a map of the Rouge River Watershed with community boundaries, has been used at a wide range of community events throughout the watershed to raise awareness of the general public. The colorful portable display is set out with brochures, maps, magnets, and other materials selected with the community and audience in mind. The booth has been systematically placed in visible locations throughout the watershed. Through the Speaker's Bureau maintained by the Rouge Program Office, sections of the booth and brochures are presented to civic groups on a request basis. In the 12 months from January - December 1997, the display booth was set out at over 40 community events, ranging from the Detroit Yard and Garden Fair to the Michigan Petroleum Association conference and the Southfield Fishing Derby (see Attachment #1 for list of display locations). At almost all of these events, a staff person or volunteer has been available to greet the public and help them find their "watershed home." Through the 1997 program outreach, an estimated 25,000 people of all ages have learned about their watershed homes through some interaction with the display and/or kiosk, and an additional 30,000 people have made a connection with the Rouge River by briefly observing the booth display. Spin-offs from the booth outreach have been numerous:
The challenge for the future will be to engage volunteers (especially Rouge River Stewards) in the process of community outreach with the booth materials, especially for the purpose of helping citizens understand what they can do in their own home and landscape for water quality protection. 2. Brochures and Printed Materials A series of illustrated brochures has been prepared and distributed. Brochures have been prepared to convey specific education messages and uses, such as "storm drains are not garbage cans", and a notification to residents that storm drain stenciling has been completed (in the form of a "fish" door hanger). Printed materials have been distributed with the portable display, provided to local governments, and incorporated into packages for local officials and staff. Selected examples of brochures and printed materials distributed to sustain awareness and citizen action include the following:
A video focusing on Southeast Michigan Headwaters has been widely shown and received a national award. For a complete list, a matrix has been included as an attachment to this report. The matrix lists all basic public information brochures and indicating their potential use by municipalities in meeting education requirements under the voluntary general permit. Work is now in progress to make all Rouge documents available digitally for use by local communities. In some cases, brochures and printed materials can be revised by adding the logo of the municipality while keeping the credit box intact. Through this approach to information and materials sharing, duplicative efforts will be avoided.
3. Rouge Kiosk A Rouge River Watershed computer kiosk has been prepared to provide an interactive and self-directed format for Rouge River education. The kiosk information has been targeted to two audiences: (1) the general public; and (2) students. It is expected that much of the information will also be useful to local officials, planners, environmental groups and businesses throughout the watershed. The kiosk is being delivered to nature centers, schools, education centers, and libraries throughout the Watershed on a rotating basis. Evaluation is essential to the success of the kiosk. It is equipped with a tracking system that allows program managers to document the portions of the kiosk that receive the most "hits". If the central screens are not frequently viewed, the information will be altered to improve the amount of viewing from the target audiences.
4. Rouge Project Web Site The purpose of the Rouge Project Web Site is to provide an up-to-date information source concerning Rouge River revitalization and the role of various stakeholders in the restoration process. Rouge Web Site audiences include: citizens, teachers, students, technical community, business and environmental groups. The web site is organized so that each stakeholder can easily find topics of interest and quickly understand, at a minimum, the overview section of each topic. The Web Site will be updated and actively marketed to the target audiences during 1998. On-line mechanisms for marketing include: reciprocal links, Michigan Electronic Library, and various search engines. Off-line marketing efforts will include press releases, direct mail and meeting handouts. A thorough evaluation of the Web Site has been planned. The number and quality of hits to the page will be recorded. Comments to the web master will be invited at the bottom of each page on the site. Improvements and changes will be made, reflecting comments and insights and project team members. The Web Site represents a major public education tool for 1998 and beyond.
5. Rouge Repair Kit What steps can citizens take to protect the Rouge River? The answers are in the Rouge Repair Kit, a 20-page illustrated booklet published by the Rouge Program Office in the fall of 1997. The Rouge Repair Kit was designed with a "self-audit" report card and refrigerator magnet. Citizens receiving the Rouge Repair Kit were asked to complete a self-assessment and identify the actions which are of most importance to them. Initial distribution on a pilot project basis was completed in fall 1997 in Southeastern Oakland County. This initial distribution showed that many citizens with an interest in the environment are not clear on all of the steps they can or should take for water quality protection. The Rouge Repair Kit helps citizens understand home and landscape activities which can make a difference. Plans for additional distribution in 1998, as well as initial evaluation and updates, are now being made.
6. Friends of the Rouge "Hands On" Participation Programs (selected examples) Friends of the Rouge, as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has steadily expanded and strengthened the Board of Directors, membership base, and programs available to interested citizens. Although working out of a small office, activities sponsored by Friends of the Rouge reach thousands of citizens who want to participate directly in river restoration and protection activities. Recognizing the importance of an independent citizen organization, programs of Friends of the Rouge have been strategically supported by Wayne County and the Rouge Program Office. Examples of particularly important activities include the following:
The impact of Friends of the Rouge activities has always depended on the involvement and support of citizens and municipal officials. In an effort to assist municipalities in developing and implementing their own public education plans, Friends of the Rouge has offered to conduct workshops, adopt-a-stream training, volunteer monitoring of streams and storm sewer outlets, storm drain stenciling and other activities for a reasonable cost.
D. Focused Outreach in Three Pilot Subwatersheds Three subwatersheds were selected for pilot project education and planning efforts. It is expected that the direct experience of the three pilot subwatersheds will contribute important lessons to other subwatershed planning initiatives which have just begun. The three pilot subwatersheds include: Upper 2 Subwatershed - Bell Branch and Tarabusi
Creek Subwatershed Middle 1 Subwatershed - headwaters of the Middle
Rouge River Middle 3 Subwatershed - The pilot subwatersheds were selected because of the potential for effective local government involvement, planning progress, and results. The land and water characteristics of these subwatersheds are varied, providing many opportunities to learn and transfer experiences to other subwatersheds. The following activities have focused on these three subwatersheds:
Special habitat, public information and recreation projects have been initiated, including the Salem/South Lyon Schools Outdoor Laboratory and interpretive trail, public information outreach in Canton Township, cleanup and deepening of Newburgh Lake (Livonia), and communication and support for a groups such as the Holliday Nature Preserve, and other projects. Many of these subwatershed activities have led to the publication of education materials that can be directly used by municipalities. Subwatershed planning for storm water improvements now underway. In some subwatersheds, targeted education outreach, cooperatively sponsored by the participating municipalities, has also been organized.
E. Rouge Friendly Neighborhood Program - Grassroots Outreach in Pilot Residential Neighborhoods The Rouge Friendly Neighborhood Program recognizes the strategic importance of raising awareness and taking steps for water quality protection on a block-by-block (or tributary-by-tributary) basis. The project is intended to foster and support citizen leadership by providing special workshops, public information materials, and technical support for selected neighborhood groups. During 1997 - 1998, the following three neighborhoods have received targeted attention:
The issues and concerns of these three neighborhoods are widely varied and program impacts have not been fully evaluated. It is not clear whether the grassroots neighborhood model is effective unless there is a Rouge River improvement project in the immediate vicinity of the neighborhood. Of note, however, is the apparent success of the Brightmoor neighborhood outreach. Brightmoor citizens are working to improve their neighborhood on all levels, and the outside support from the Rouge Program Office has helped them sustain their efforts to fight blight and maintain a quality neighborhood environment for their children. As part of the Rouge Friendly Neighborhood Program, support has also been given to river-based action groups such as the Friends of the Tarabusi Creek. A review of program options for grassroots neighborhood outreach, to be carried out in cooperation with Friends of the Rouge, is now underway.
F. Rouge Friendly Business Program The Rouge Friendly Business Program focuses on voluntary pollution prevention steps. Technical assistance and information is provided to businesses to help prevent pollution. Although any business located within the Rouge River Watershed is eligible for the program designation, businesses in the pilot subwatersheds are receiving priority attention. Business categories that are targeted for attention include:
As an initial step in business involvement, the Rouge Project Office convened a Vehicle Service Industries Roundtable. Roundtable members provided advice to program staff and became advocates for the program. The endorsement of the Rouge Friendly Business Program by the Roundtable members led to the involvement of individual businesses which otherwise would not have been interested. As of spring 1998, 31% of the businesses contacted are willing to participate. Outreach has focused on: (1) an industrial park in the City of Livonia; (2) Fenkell Avenue between Telegraph Road and Evergreen Road in the Brightmoor neighborhood, and (3) contacts through homeowner/neighborhood associations. Through mailed information and personal contacts, businesses are invited to complete an assessment form and action plan pertaining to their business. A site visit by the Rouge Program Office may then be requested. Businesses pledge to implement their own plan, leading towards improved practices which prevent pollution. To date, 20 businesses have completed all steps in the program and have received the Rouge Friendly Business designation. These businesses were recognized at the October 1997 Recognition and Appreciation breakfast.
To assist vehicle maintenance facilities, the "Environmental Guidebook for the Michigan Vehicle Service Industry" was prepared by the Environmental Assistance Division, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, in cooperation with the Wayne County Department of the Environment. Several business roundtables have been organized to provide advice to Rouge Program Office staff. The participating businesses are willing to be part of a positive, non-regulatory education effort. They tend to be businesses with a strong sense of community identity and a long-term stake in Rouge River improvements. Program evaluation is now underway. Consideration is given to the following recommendations:
Linking business, neighborhood and municipal programs together is a major opportunity for the future. Integration of progress creates a synergy that increases their effectiveness.
G. School-Based Education Outreach Helping students to connect with Rouge River water quality is both a short-term and long-term strategy. On one hand, students can make meaningful observations and statements about the Rouge which can influence adults. At the same time, youth involvement helps to support an informed citizenry, since some of the students involved will be living and working in the Rouge River watershed. 1. Friends of the Rouge - Rouge Education Project (Web site: http://www.motor-city.com/rouge.) Nearly 100 schools and over 135 classrooms participated in the Rouge Education Project in 1998. Twenty of the schools joined the project in 1997-98, reflecting the continued efforts to expand the impact of the program. For 1998, some additional schools are participating. Through the Project, elementary, middle and high school classes, across disciplines, take samples of Rouge River water and perform chemical, biological and physical analyses. Students compare their data with water quality samples collected by other schools. Students meet together in the annual Student Congress. In 1997, a web site was created and participating schools are able to share Rouge water quality data via the Internet. Students communicate with each other on the Rouge Education Project list serve. Links between the Rouge Project and the Education Project have been made.
2. Public Information Materials for Classrooms A major effort has been made to provide teachers with "fun and educational" materials, including the wildlife poster and the student activity book. In 1997, a brochure announcing the materials was sent to every school in the watershed. Packages of materials were then sent to all teachers requesting packages. An estimated 200 classes have responded over the past two years.
3. Rouge River Water Festival '98 In April 1998, the Wayne County Rouge Program Office, in cooperation with over 25 other organizations, organized and facilitated a watershed-wide water festival in Dearborn. Over 1200 elementary school classes participated and enjoyed the interactive displays and activities in and near the Rouge River. It is hoped that this successful event can be repeated in 1999 at a South Oakland location (such as Farmington Hills).
H. Outreach to Municipalities Local governments, including staff and elected officials, have been an important audience for Rouge Program Office outreach. The municipal outreach is based upon the appreciation of the home rule legal authority of townships, villages and cities, as well as the ability of local governments to educate citizens. To date, Rouge Program Office staff have worked to educate local officials about the need for actions which extends beyond the combined sewer overflow facilities. A second important message to municipal staff has been the importance of local leadership for community-based initiatives and action. In effect, the Rouge Program Office has been facilitating a transition into a partnership with municipalities whereby municipalities embrace Rouge River restoration as part of their day-to-day work activities. Efforts to build partnerships with municipalities have been proceeding throughout the Rouge Project. Workshops and seminars, as well as project reports, have been completed. Public information brochures and maps, as well as panels from the Rouge display have been made available on request. Of particular note are the brochures, such as the down spout brochure, that can be directly incorporated into local government education initiatives. Municipalities are invited to use brochures by putting their own logo on the brochure, or simply distribute the watershed-wide materials.
I. Special Audiences and Demonstration Projects Selected examples of special target audiences and demonstration projects include the following:
Public education and involvement activities on a watershed basis are directed to behavior changes for water quality improvement. In addition, activities are linked to restoration planning which is proceeding at the subwatershed level and the watershed level. For 1998-1998, a focus for the watershed-wide planning is the RRAC - The Rouge River Advisory Committee. The Committee is administratively connected to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality but functions as an independent board because of the local and county-level participation. During 1998-1999, the RRAC will be gathering information to update the RAP -- the Rouge River Remedial Action Plan. The RAP update, in turn, will affect the public education projects ongoing. J. Rouge 2000 -- A Coordinated Campaign for Continued Restoration Although a second opinion and attitude survey has not been completed, citizen volunteers increasingly report a higher level of awareness about the Rouge River and the watershed boundaries. Citizen connections to the Rouge have been heightened in communities where public improvements have necessitated fees and public expenditures. The major sewer projects have been front-page headlines in local newspapers -- and have been the focus of numerous local government meetings. It is now possible to plan and implement a coordinated campaign to carry Rouge River improvements to a higher level. Experience from public information campaigns related to voter participation lend some useful tips (based upon list in National Voter, "Getting Organized - Make a Difference Now", by Cheryl Graeve and Kirsten Nokes):
These tips reflect basic strategies for public education campaigns, reform, and community organizing. Coalitions and partnerships with a wide range of organizations that share in the mission will inevitably result in the necessary changes. More than a media campaign is needed. Instead, the continued effort of the Rouge Program to connect with people, municipalities, and a wide range of organizations will be essential for achieving the vision of the restored Rouge River. Deliberate efforts to build partnerships with a wide range of organizations, combined with a grass roots outreach to build public involvement, are central to the Rouge River Watershed public education program.
Attachment #1 ROUGE PROJECT PRESENTATIONS and DISPLAY BOOTH OUTREACH Outreach Locations - Selected Examples - 1997 Detroit Oilmen's Club; Kingsley Inn, Birmingham
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Last Updated: 6/21/02 Please address all comments and suggestions about the contents of this Web page to rougeweb@co.wayne.mi.us. The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project is funded, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants #XP995743-01, -02, -03, -04, -05, -06, -08 and C-264000-01. |
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