Public Education & Outreach can be found at the following locations:
Oriskany Public Library
621 Utica Street, Oriskany, NY 13424
Village Clerk
708 Utica Street, Oriskany, NY 13424
Public Education and Outreach
The public education and outreach minimum control measure consists of best management practices (BMPs) and program elements that focus on development of educational materials designed to inform the public about the impacts of stormwater discharges on waterbodies. Educational materials generally describe how the public can help to reduce pollutants in stormwater. This Minimum Control Measure requires MS4s to develop and implement an ongoing public education and outreach program that describes the impacts of stormwater discharges on waterbodies, the pollutants of concern and their sources, and steps that contributors of stormwater and non-stormwater discharges can take to reduce the pollutants. In certain areas that have current Watershed Improvement Strategies and/or Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) allocations, the regulated community is required to address specific types of contamination in their education and outreach program such as phosphorous, nitrogen and/or pathogens. Additionally, the program must address specified sources of these contaminants whether from septic systems, construction sites, fertilizer use, animal or pet wastes. Target audiences who are in need of stormwater education and outreach must be identified and the education and outreach programs should be tailored to the specific needs of each
group. Such audiences may include but are not necessarily limited to: elected municipal officials, municipal planning and zoning boards, municipal staff (e.g. attorneys, planners, engineers, highway superintendents and building code officers), homeowners and small businesses, schools and other educational venues, civic associations and non-profit groups, construction community, and entities with a greater than average potential to generate stormwater pollution such as oil change facilities and fueling stations.
The MS4 is also required to develop measurable goals that are used to help gauge permit compliance and the effectiveness of the education and outreach program. The measurable goals should reflect the needs and characteristics of the area being served by the MS4. Additionally, the education and outreach program should be kept current by conducting periodic reviews of the goals and activities to ensure that they remain appropriate and effective.
Selected Activities and BMPs:
To meet the public education and outreach program 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.
Website Development
Description of BMP/Activity: The development and use of this website, itself, provides the public with educational information on all aspects of the MS4's stormwater management program and meets many of the requirements associated with the public education and outreach program. For example, the pollutants of concern, potential sources of pollutants, waterbodies of concern, geographic areas of concern, and steps that can be taken to reduce pollutants in stormwater are specifically described in various sections of this website Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity:
Program Development: Municipal Engineer
Implementation: Municipal Engineer
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.
Brochures, Fact Sheets and other Printed Materials
Description of BMP/Activity: Create and/or customize brochures, fact sheets and other printed materials for distribution. This information may include hard-copies of materials such as bill stuffers, door hangers, fact sheets, etc. that will be distributed to specific audiences. It may also include information, brochures, documents, articles, and fact sheets posted to appropriate sections of the website. A combination of general information as well as more audience specific brochures and fact sheets may be developed.
Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity:
Program Development: Municipal Engineer
Implementation: Municipal Engineer
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.
Library of Educational Materials
Description of BMP/Activity:
Establish a library containing information specific to stormwater management and the MS4's stormwater management program.
Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity:
Program Development: Municipal Engineer
Implementation: Municipal Engineer
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.
NYS Standards & Specifications for Erosion & Sediment Control (Blue Book)
NYS Stormwater Management Design Manual
Stormwater Training & Education
Stormwater Pollution: Green Infrastructure Solutions Video
EPA Green Infrastructure Website
NYSDEC - Saving Water Makes Good Sense
NYSDEC - Fresh Water Wetlands Program
EPA Outreach & Communication - Wetland Education
Project Wet
Target Audience Identification and Distribution Lists
Description of BMP/Activity: Identifying primary target groups is important to ensure needed information, education and outreach is appropriately distributed. It is equally important to develop and maintain current mailing and electronic contact lists for primary target groups and stakeholders within the MS4s jurisdiction. The specific type of education and/or outreach provided to each audience may also be determined as part of this activity.
Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity:
Program Development: Town or Village Board
Implementation: Town or Village Board
Frequency of Activity:
Program Development: As Needed
Implementation: As Needed
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.
Newspaper Articles and/or Ads
Description of BMP/Activity: Newspapers articles are one of the best forms of free education and outreach concerning stormwater management. Articles may be written by a professional reporter covering news and events or may include press releases written and submitted by the MS4. Paid advertising in newspapers are also another form of public education and outreach included within this BMP. Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity:
Program Development: Town or Village Board
Implementation: Town or Village Board
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.
Newsletters
Description of BMP/Activity: Newsletters provide for a locally controlled and continuous stream of stormwater information. Newsletters can be specific to only stormwater issues or can include stormwater education and outreach information as part of a general community wide or agency newsletter. Newsletters may be used to remind targeted audiences about stormwater issues, update them on regional and local program activities and events, advertise participating businesses, or recruit volunteers for public participation activities. Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity:
Program Development: Town or Village Board
Implementation: Town or Village Board
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 reportin
g 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.
Workshops and Presentations
Description of BMP/Activity: Organize and hold workshops or community presentations to educate stakeholders such as citizens, local school groups, community leaders, local and state government representatives, contractors, developers, and business owners. Such workshops may be in the form of a presentation by guest speakers, discussion with a local stormwater management panel, a public meeting, or any type of interactive, information-sharing or educational event. Training seminars for municipal employees, developers, contractors or local board members may be included as part of this activity.
Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity:
Program Development: Town or Village Board
Implementation: Municipal Engineer
Two short videos where presented to the Village of Oriskany DPW employees and general public on 8/14/20 in efforts to provide training and education on Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control. One of the videos dealt with Stormwater Runoff/Run-on and the other dealt with Surface Stabilization. These videos can be found at the Columbus Indiana Engineering Stormwater Contractors Education website. Click the link below if you would like to watch these videos!
A short video was presented to the Village of Oriskany DPW department on 2/9/23 in efforts to provide Stormwater Management training at the Neighborhood scale. While the video is set in Vancouver, Canada, the same principles apply here as well. Click the link below to watch the video. Maybe you'll learn something!
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.
Administration of Public Education and Outreach Programs and Policy
Description of BMP/Activity:
Establish Public Education and Outreach program responsibility, communication, coordination and authority within local departments and agencies. Evaluate existing capabilities, identify needs and designate key staff and their roles in the Public Education program.
Staff, Agency, and/or Organization Reponsible for Completing this Activity:
Program Development: Town or Village Board
Implementation: Town or Village Board
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.
Program Accomplishments:
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 under the heading "The MS4 Stormwater Management Program and Plan: Program Reporting and Effectiveness"
A summary of the effectiveness of this program, associated BMPs, activities and an assessment of measurable goals can also be found under the heading "The MS4 Stormwater Management Program and Plan: Program Reporting and Effectiveness"
See below for Public Outreach & Education Materials that were provided for the community at the Village of Oriskany Public Library and the Village of Oriskany Clerk's Office:
Check out this case study published by the EPA. It's called "Save The Rain Makes Syracuse Park A Safer Space For Kids". It talks about how stormwater management can be incorporated into greenspace design.