Coastal Waccamaw Stormwater Education Consortium

1. Coastal Waccamaw Stormwater Education Consortium • Idea began in May, 2004 with a meeting between representative from Clemson, CCU, the National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Waccamaw Riverkeeper. • This group discussed the need for a coordinated effort for stormwater and watershed education efforts. • Decision was made to convene stormwater managers from the local SMS4’s to evaluate the idea of a regional approach to education.

2. Consortium Formation Process • Inaugural meeting was held in June, 2004 attended by 6 of the 8 SMS4’s located in the mission area. (Myrtle Beach Urbanized Area) • All attendees endorsed the idea and supported increasing the stakeholders to include environmental non-profit organizations, citizen groups, and state agencies to make this a truly regional effort. • During the fall 2004, an on-line needs assessment was sent to all participants to prioritize our target audiences, the pollutants to address, and sumarize existing educational capabilities and available infrastructure.

3. Next Steps • After the needs assessment, a Regional Stormwater Education Strategy, a Phased Education Work Plan, and a Consortium Website were developed. • Over the next few months, a resolution in support of the program was developed, additional core providers were engaged , and an Environmental Educator position was created under the CCU umbrella partially funded by the SMS4’s.

4. Official Formation • On June 1, 2005, CWSEC held a meeting and press conference featuring the public signing of a Resolution in Support of Regional Collaboration. Officials from all of the participating SMS4’s signed the resolution. • The environmental educator, Karen Fuss, began work in October, 2005. As the consortium activities increased, Karen was named as the CWSEC coordinator in June, 2006.

5. SMS4 Members • Horry County • Georgetown County • Myrtle Beach • Conway • North Myrtle Beach • Surfside Beach

6. Education Providers • Clemson University-Carolina Clear • Coastal Carolina University-Waccamaw Watershed Academy • Murrells Inlet 2007 • North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Esturine Research Center-Coastal Training Program • South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium • Winyah Rivers Foundation’s Waccamaw Riverkeeper

7. CWSEC Goals • Maximize efficiency of education efforts • Watershed-based approach to stormwater management • Provide a unified stormwater education message to the region • Aid the SMS4’s in meeting the NPDES Phase II requirements for education, public involvement, and illicit discharge detection • Provide a model for education collaboration

8. Annual Plan • Each year an annual plan is developed • Target audiences are selected • Methods of education are defined • Numbers of people in each education category are anticipated • Education provider for each activity is defined

9. Evaluation and Reporting • Annual report is generated • Number of the targeted client base that participated in the program • Pre and Post surveys taken to determine the quality of the information disseminated • Metrics are developed to determine outcome-based results in community behavior

10. Accountability of Program • Statistical summary for the training of attendees • Document the evaluation survey results and the use of the web resource • Activities and assessments are crafted in a fashion to meet the SMS4’s NPDES reporting requirement • Database has been developed for maintaining the reporting documentation

11. Program Costs • Clemson-Carolina Clear Annual Fee UA population < 10,000 $3,000 10,000 to 20,000 8,000 20,000 to 35,000 15,000 35,000 to 50,000 25,000 50,000 up 35,000 • Coastal Carolina $5,000

12. SMS4 Perspective • It is less expensive to pay the consortium fee for education and outreach as opposed to meeting the goals independently. • We reach a much larger audience with a unified method. • The consortium has a much greater influence with DHEC as opposed to a single SMS4. • The consortium provides an educational forum for each of its members.