I. Public Education and Outreach
The Plan implements a public education program to distribute educational materials to the community and conduct outreach activities about the impacts of storm water discharges on water bodies and the steps that the public can take to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff.
Some activities under the plan include:
- Distribution of brochures on Pet Waste Management, Yard Waste, on Impacts from Businesses, and more
- Sponsoring a storm water school article contest
- Developing a storm water pollution prevention video
- Airing four (4) storm water infomercials
- Seminars for small businesses
II. Public Involvement and Participation
The public is actively involved in implementation of the storm water management program through community groups of all kinds and participation in activities to reduce storm water pollution.
Some activities under the plan include:
- Neighborhood trash clean-ups
- Household hazardous chemical collections
III. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
MSD has developed and implemented a program to detect and eliminate illicit discharges into our MS4 and area streams. We developed and maintain a map of the area streams, storm sewers and storm sewer outfalls.
Some activities under the plan include surveying the creeks for:
- Illicit connections to storm sewers
IV. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control
Land disturbance programs must be implemented to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff from construction activities that disturb the land. The BMPs required by the program focus primarily on erosion and sediment control.
Some activities under the plan include:
- St Louis County government implementing a new Land Disturbance Code, requiring storm water pollution prevention plans for all major land disturbance projects disturbing one acre or more of land.
- Implementation of the model Land Disturbance Ordinance by all municipal co-permittees
V. Post-Construction Storm Water Management
A program to address storm water runoff from new development and redevelopment projects must be implemented to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff from developed property. The program must ensure that BMPs are in place to prevent or minimize water quality impacts. Structural BMPs include storm water detention ponds, infiltration basins, filter strips and more.
Some activities in the plan include:
- Revising MSD's Rules, Regulations and Engineering Design Requirements for Storm Water Drainage Facilities
- Adopting ordinances to support changes to engineering design requirements
- Submitting a storm water funding mechanism based on impervious area for voter approval
VI. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
An operation and maintenance program that has the ultimate goal of preventing or reducing pollutant runoff from municipal operations will be implemented by all co-permittees.
Some activities in the plan include:
- Developing a model operation and maintenance program
- Initiating a training program to educate the municipal employees
- Assessment by municipalities of their existing ordinances pertaining to trash and pet waste management
- Development of model ordinances for trash and pet waste management for municipalities to adopt
