1. Local Government Engagement and Communication Strategy
State of Delaware
Local Government Engagement and Communication Strategy
Presented by: Jim Sullivan, Delaware DNREC
October 5, 2017
Please enter jurisdiction name (and agency logo/s)

2. Delaware-specific Considerations
Delaware portion is about 1% of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
3 counties, all partially in the watershed.
9 municipalities fully within the watershed, 4 partially in.
4 municipalities have a connection to a creek or a river.
1 county and 1 municipality have current MS4 permits. 2 more municipalities identified.
What are the unique characteristics of your jurisdiction as it relates to the challenge of effectively engaging local governments in your Phase III WIP development? For example,
What is the relative importance of local government in achieving pollutant reduction targets in your jurisdiction?
What do you need from local governments during WIP development and implementation?
What information do local government officials and staff need to be effective partners in WIP development? Implementation?
What is your timeline for communication and engagement?
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy

3. Engagement and Communication Goals
It is Delaware’s desire to satisfy EPA expectations regarding local engagement. Hopefully we will have a clearer picture of what that is when EPA draft planning targets and final expectations are released.
Working with the counties and municipalities individually, we aim to identify what pollution reduction has been done and what efforts they need assistance with.
Engagement = 2-way exchange; Communication = 1-way
What does your jurisdiction hope to achieve by implementing this local engagement strategy?
Examples may include:
Satisfy EPA Expectations regarding local engagement.
Increase public conversation about the need for reduced pollution.
Communicate key policy and technical decisions related to the WIPs, including timing and impact of model
Raise public awareness of WIP development and Bay restoration efforts
Identify what pollution reduction is already being done
Identify gaps and strategies to fill gaps that might yield multiple benefits
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy

4. Engagement and Communication Goals
Increase public conversation about the need for reduced pollution through continued outreach and communication efforts.
Continue to raise public awareness of WIP development and Bay restoration efforts through videos, social media, events, presentations and workshops.
Engagement = 2-way exchange; Communication = 1-way
What does your jurisdiction hope to achieve by implementing this local engagement strategy?
Examples may include:
Satisfy EPA Expectations regarding local engagement.
Increase public conversation about the need for reduced pollution.
Communicate key policy and technical decisions related to the WIPs, including timing and impact of model
Raise public awareness of WIP development and Bay restoration efforts
Identify what pollution reduction is already being done
Identify gaps and strategies to fill gaps that might yield multiple benefits
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy

5. Engagement and Communication Goals
There has been a review of each county and municipal local land use ordinances to identify barriers to implementing Low Impact Development and conservation design techniques. Continue working with counties and municipalities to assist in the removal of barriers noted from the review.
We will be working with our trusted partners and our LGAC representative on a series of meetings with the counties and municipalities.
Engagement = 2-way exchange; Communication = 1-way
What does your jurisdiction hope to achieve by implementing this local engagement strategy?
Examples may include:
Satisfy EPA Expectations regarding local engagement.
Increase public conversation about the need for reduced pollution.
Communicate key policy and technical decisions related to the WIPs, including timing and impact of model
Raise public awareness of WIP development and Bay restoration efforts
Identify what pollution reduction is already being done
Identify gaps and strategies to fill gaps that might yield multiple benefits
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy

6. Engagement and Communication Goals
Development of a needs assessment and a municipal engagement / communications logic model for each of the counties and municipalities to assess the resources local officials will require to increase implementation of water quality best management practices in their jurisdiction.
Engagement = 2-way exchange; Communication = 1-way
What does your jurisdiction hope to achieve by implementing this local engagement strategy?
Examples may include:
Satisfy EPA Expectations regarding local engagement.
Increase public conversation about the need for reduced pollution.
Communicate key policy and technical decisions related to the WIPs, including timing and impact of model
Raise public awareness of WIP development and Bay restoration efforts
Identify what pollution reduction is already being done
Identify gaps and strategies to fill gaps that might yield multiple benefits
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy

7. Target Audiences General Public – Inform and engage.
Local Elected Officials – Work with Commissioners, Council and committees during municipal comprehensive plan review for proactive planning. Work with Local Elected Officials to assist in the removal of barriers noted from the review of local land use ordinances.
Local Government Staff – Meeting with staff to take advantage of state loan / grant funding.
Describe the specific audiences you need to target, e.g. local leaders (officials and other leaders), local government staff (practitioners), associations of municipalities and counties, technical service providers, soil and water conservation districts)
Briefly explain the role of each target audience in your process.
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy

8. Key Messages
Local governments can take credit for practices and programs they are already doing
Local governments need to identify what resources they need so assistance can be given.
Communities benefit economically and environmentally when local waterways and ground water are clean.
What are the topics that are most important to communicate in your jurisdiction?
Examples may include:
Communities benefit economically and environmentally when local waterways are clean
Local governments should be actively involved in Phase III WIPs so they can tie-in their own local priorities and constraints
Local governments need to identify what resources they need so the Bay Program partnership can help
Local governments can take credit for practices and programs they are already doing
The Bay Model has improved, reflecting more refined local land use data
Tools are available to help implementation planning and decision-making processes for BMP funding, targeting, and implementation
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy

9. Key Messengers/Trusted Sources
Kent Conservation District
New Castle Conservation District
Sussex Conservation District
Delaware Nature Society – communication and engagement
Nanticoke Watershed Alliance – communication and engagement
Delaware Forest Service
University of Delaware Cooperative Extension
List the entities that you will enlist to help you implement this strategy and note whether they’ve committed to assisting with communication and engagement or not.
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy

10. Roles, Resources, and Capacity
It is Delaware’s desire to satisfy EPA expectations regarding local engagement.
Delaware is looking forward in continuing the education of local governments and the general public on the benefits of clean water through various outreach methods.
Briefly describe the role of federal, state, regional and local partners in the development and implementation of your WIP
Identify any gaps in resources available to you to implement your local engagement strategy
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy

11. Roles, Resources, and Capacity
Kent Conservation District – Ag community
New Castle Conservation District - Ag community
Sussex Conservation District - Ag community
Delaware Nature Society – communication and engagement on Urban Sector
Nanticoke Watershed Alliance – communication and engagement on Ag and Urban sectors
Delaware Forest Service - Ag and Urban sectors
University of Delaware Cooperative Extension – Ag and Urban sectors
Briefly describe the role of federal, state, regional and local partners in the development and implementation of your WIP
Identify any gaps in resources available to you to implement your local engagement strategy
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy

12. Roles, Resources, and Capacity
2017 DNREC Outreach and Communication
Ag week healthy soil presentation – video production
Social media Facebook page
State Fair exhibits (floating wetlands, rain barrels, shellfish, indicators, find your watershed)
Creek Watchers Promotional video
Briefly describe the role of federal, state, regional and local partners in the development and implementation of your WIP
Identify any gaps in resources available to you to implement your local engagement strategy
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy

13. Roles, Resources, and Capacity
2017 DNREC Outreach and Communication cont.
Reclaim Our River Program
Delmarva Broadcasting Radio Advertising Campaign (Livable lawns, Pet Waste Management, Healthy Soils Practices, Gardening for Pollinators).
Database of available funding resources and sources available online.
DNREC Mobile Science Lab for school children.
Briefly describe the role of federal, state, regional and local partners in the development and implementation of your WIP
Identify any gaps in resources available to you to implement your local engagement strategy
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy

14. Roles, Resources, and Capacity
DNREC will continue in the development of hand outs and videos as communication tools in support of water quality.
DNREC will continue to evaluate the local government engagement effort and adjust accordingly.
DNREC will continue to seek opportunities to partner with counties and municipalities on grant funding.
Briefly describe the role of federal, state, regional and local partners in the development and implementation of your WIP
Identify any gaps in resources available to you to implement your local engagement strategy
Enter jurisdiction name
Delaware Local Government
Engagement and Communication Strategy