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Public Education

The Palm Beach County co-permittees have undertaken a joint program to meet the public education requirement of the MS4 NPDES permit. The premise is that a unified message, repeated throughout the County will have more of an impact than 40 seperate messages. The Stormwater And Me (SAM) program kicked off in 2009. Educational materials such a brochures, exhibits, and a website have already been created. Materials and information will be desseminated in a variety of venues such as popular street festivals, schools, and municipal buildings and offices. See the SAM website for more information. The PBC MS4 NPDES permit includes three specific public education tasks:

SWMP 6. Control of Pollutants Related to Application of Pesticides, Herbicides, and Fertilizers indicates that co-permittees should promote the following:


Several organizations have created educational materials on these topics. The following links provide a sample of what is available:
SWMP 7e. Illicit Discharges and Improper Disposal – Public Notification
This requires that the permittee:
  • Publish a dedicated illicit discharge reporting phone number (quarterly)
  • Include info on problems associated with illicit discharges, how to spot & report them
  • Include illicit discharge component in “Crime Watch” guide for citizens/N.A. (opt.)
  • Maintain log of all reported suspected illicit discharges/illegal dumping
Links that may provide useful information and/or examples of educational materials are:
SWMP 7f. Illicit Discharge and Improper Disposal – Oils, Toxics, and HHHW Control
This requires that the permittee promote:
  • outreach programs to instruct public on proper disposal of HHHW
  • voluntary stenciling program (opt.)

Information relating to hazardous household wastes and stenciling is available at the following websites:

There is one additional permit requirement for education of a select group:
SWMP 9c. Construction Site Runoff – Site Operator Training
Permittees are required to:
  • Notify building permit applicants of responsibilities under State NPDES Construction General Permit

The City of Boca Raton provides notification of applicant responsibilities on the municipal website:
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