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.

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.

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.

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, As the consortium activities increased, Karen was named as the CWSEC coordinator in June, 2006.

SMS4 Members Horry County Georgetown County Myrtle Beach Conway North Myrtle Beach Surfside Beach

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.