Clemson University’s Carolina Clear to launch stormwater initiative in Pee Dee

Published: November 18, 2009

image by: Carolina Clear

FLORENCE — The Pee Dee region, an area with valuable but fragile natural resources, has collaborated with Clemson University’s Carolina Clear program to tackle stormwater pollution issues on a regional basis.

Representatives from Florence and Darlington counties and the city of Florence signed a resolution Nov. 18 to officially adopt a regional stormwater education strategy through the Florence Darlington Stormwater Consortium.

The Environmental Protection Agency emphasizes public education as a fundamental component in reducing stormwater runoff pollution. The EPA and the state of South Carolina require that certain municipalities and counties educate and involve the public as part of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System stormwater permit program.

Carolina Clear’s goal is to minimize polluted stormwater runoff by educating the public, youth, builders, developers, homeowners and government officials about how to keep water in the state’s streams, rivers and basins as clean as possible.

The consortium, a partnership between communities and educators from universities, state agencies and nonprofits, is the sixth regional collaboration involving the Carolina Clear program. It follows similar efforts in Lexington, Pickens and Richland counties, along the Grand Strand and in the Lowcountry.

By combining resources, the consortium can save money and provide a strong educational message across the region, said Katie Giacalone, Carolina Clear regional coordinator and natural resources agent.

The Pee Dee is blessed with abundant natural beauty, but as the region adds people, businesses and industry, more impermeable surfaces are added in the form of rooftops, parking lots, driveways and roads. Whenever we build on our landscape, there can be corresponding affects to water quality, Giacalone said.

“It’s a public health issue, an environmental issue and a financial issue,” she said. “Damaged resources could lead to a damaged economy. We can’t afford to take these critical natural resources for granted.”

Clemson University has been involved with water quality issues for more than 50 years through teaching, research and extension, said Cal Sawyer, associate director of the Clemson University Center for Watershed Excellence.

This experience working with a broad cross-section of groups, from engineers and developers to local governments and the general public, provides Clemson with a sound foundation to work with people in the Pee Dee, Sawyer said.

“Economically and environmentally, the Pee Dee is one of the state’s most important regions,” Sawyer said. “This consortium will play a pivotal role in protecting the region’s water quality and the financial issues associated with its environmental integrity.”

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Comments from consortium members

Wesley H. Blackwell, chairman, Darlington County Council:
“We are very pleased for Darlington County to be a part of Florence Darlington Stormwater Consortium because we believe Darlington County’s natural beauty and water quality are important to all of our citizens.

“Stormwater from rooftops, parking lots, driveways and roads must not be allowed to pollute our natural beauty and water quality. This is why we are partnering in the consortium and Clemson University’s Carolina Clear Program to help all of our citizens understand the importance of stormwater management.”

Mayor Stephen Wukela, city of Florence:
 “Since 2006, the Florence urban area has been engaged in the development of policies that are consistent with our regulatory responsibilities as mandated by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  

“We acknowledge that proper stormwater management is an important element in our development process. A well-informed and educated community enhances the city’s ability to comply with federal and state regulations and realize the quality of life benefits that come with improved water quality.

“I believe this is the ultimate goal of the Florence Darlington Stormwater Consortium.” 

K.G. Rusty Smith, chairman, Florence County Council:
“Many of us grew up fishing, boating and swimming in the Pee Dee’s rivers and ponds. Ensuring those simple joys will continue to be available for generations to come is one of Florence County’s highest priorities.

“Our participation with Carolina Clear helps create avenues to better equip everyone to prevent the entry of potential pollutants into lakes, rivers or streams through stormwater runoff. Improving water quality is a journey of a thousand steps, and this is one.”

Carolina Clear
Carolina Clear is a stormwater education and awareness program of the Clemson University Restoration Institute and the Center for Watershed Excellence. The program’s goal is to minimize polluted stormwater runoff by educating the general public, youth, builders, developers, homeowners and government officials about how they can keep water in the state’s streams, rivers and basins as clean as possible.