DATE: July 29, 2008

CONTACT: David F. Joyner, extension natural resources agent, (843) 722-5940, ext. 125
djoyner@clemson.edu

WRITER: Peter Hull, (843) 554-7229, ext. 118
phull@clemson.edu

Clemson and local communities join forces to tackle stormwater pollution

CHARLESTON — In a joint effort to protect area water quality, communities across the Charleston region have joined with Clemson University’s Carolina Clear program to tackle stormwater issues on a regional basis.

Representatives from 11 local governments signed a joint resolution to adopt a regional stormwater runoff education strategy through the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium in a ceremony July 29 at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park in downtown Charleston.

The Ashley Cooper consortium, a partnership between communities and educators from universities, state agencies and nonprofits, is the third regional collaboration involving the Carolina Clear program. It follows similar efforts along the Grand Strand and in the Midlands.

The Environmental Protection Agency emphasizes public education as a fundamental component in reducing stormwater runoff pollution. The EPA requires that certain municipalities and counties educate and involve the public as part of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II stormwater permit program.

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

Cal Sawyer, extension water quality coordinator and associate director of the newly designated Clemson University Center for Watershed Excellence, said it is the responsibility of local governments and the general public to keep surface waters as clean as possible.

As the Lowcountry 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, Sawyer said.

Most of the area’s drinking water comes from surface water, with the Goose Creek Reservoir serving as the primary source of Charleston-area drinking water. This means that such simple acts as picking up after dogs or limiting the amount of fertilizer used on lawns can help keep rivers, lakes and streams clean, Sawyer said.

“It’s a public health issue and a safety issue,” he said. “We shouldn’t take these critical natural resources for granted.”

Healthy coastal watersheds are closely tied to the region’s economy, said Rick DeVoe, executive director of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, a partner in the Ashley Cooper consortium.

For example, water quality plays a significant role in the area’s tourism, whether by visitors renting kayaks, taking boat tours or just taking a dip in the ocean. Local communities experience a significant negative impact if a beach is closed for water quality reasons, DeVoe said.

Science-based education programs designed to improve coastal water quality benefit residents and visitors alike, he said.

“Our state economy depends in large part on the health of our coastal and marine resources. Tourism alone brings more than $16 billion dollars a year to South Carolina,” DeVoe said. “Through this consortium, we will be able to protect these resources so that people can continue to enjoy this beautiful state for many years to come.”

Clemson University has been involved with water quality issues for more than 50 years through teaching, research and extension, said George Askew, associate dean for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Public Service Activities.

“This experience working with a broad cross-section of groups, from architects and developers to local governments and the general public, provides Clemson with sound foundations to work with folks in the greater Charleston area,” Askew said.

The Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium consists of 11 community partners. The following representatives signed the joint resolution:

• Berkeley County: Daniel W. Davis, supervisor and chairman of the County Council
• Charleston County: Timothy E. Scott, County Council chairman
• Dorchester County: Larry S. Hargett, County Council chairman
• City of Charleston: Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr.
• City of Folly Beach: Mayor Carl B. Beckmann Jr.
• City of Hanahan: Mayor Minnie N. Blackwell
• City of Isle of Palms: Mayor F. Michael Sottile
• City of Lincolnville: Mayor Tyrone E. Aiken
• City of North Charleston: Mayor R. Keith Summey
• Town of Sullivan’s Island: Mayor Carl Smith
• Town of Summerville: Mayor Pro Tem Aaron Brown

The consortium is working with the following education partners:

• Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service - Carolina Clear program
• S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and extension program
• S.C. Department of Natural Resources - Soil and Water Conservation districts
• S.C. Department of Natural Resources and ACE Basin NERR (National Estuarine Research Reserve) Coastal Training Program
• S.C. Department of Natural Resources-SCORE (S.C. Oyster Restoration and Enhancement) program
• College of Charleston - Master’s of Environmental Studies program
• Lowcountry Earth Force
• Michaux Conservancy
• Spirit of South Carolina

END

Clemson University serves the state's citizens, communities and businesses through Public Service Activities that include research, extension and regulatory services for animal and plant health. For more information: www.clemson.edu/public/.

Online resources

Carolina Clear: http://carolinaclear.clemson.edu/
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/
The Clean Water Act: http://www.epa.gov/watertrain/cwa/
EPA Stormwater Phase II Final Rule: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/fact1-0.pdf
For more information on the Center for Watershed Excellence at Clemson University: www.clemson.edu/restoration/ecology/
For more information on EPA priority watersheds in the Southeast: www.epa.gov/region4/water/watersheds/priority.html

Comments from community leaders

Mayor Tyrone E. Aiken, City of Lincolnville:
“Even small communities like Lincolnville must do their part to improve water quality. Through education and awareness, our citizens can also become committed to protecting natural resources and supporting stormwater management programs.”

Mayor Carl B. Beckmann Jr., City of Folly Beach:
“Stormwater and stormwater control is very important to Folly Beach because we live on a barrier island. We want to do our best and our maximum to keep the water clean.”

Mayor Minnie N. Blackwell, City of Hanahan:
“The City of Hanahan looks forward to working with other local units of government in the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium. We believe that this regional approach to stormwater management will result in a better environment for our citizens. Also, we believe that our citizens will be much better informed and will, as a result, make better environmental decisions.”

Daniel W. Davis, Berkeley County supervisor and chairman of the County Council:
“We share a responsibility to protect our Lowcountry waterways. By working together in this effort we will send a more effective and consistent message to all our residents.”

Larry S. Hargett, Dorchester County Council chairman:
“With the recent droughts, we have all been reminded that it's our responsibility to conserve water. Equally as important as conserving water is protecting the quality of our drinking water, rivers and streams. The Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium will play a pivotal role in educating tri-county residents on how to protect our water by preventing pollution from stormwater runoff.”

Mayor Pro Tem Aaron Brown, Town of Summerville:
“This collaborative effort among the counties and municipalities will benefit everyone by educating the public on the importance of stormwater quality. We appreciate Clemson’s Carolina Clear program facilitating the consortium to provide a quality and cost-effective public education program, while going above and beyond the requirements of the Phase II permit.”

Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., City of Charleston:
“We continue to learn how much each of us impacts our environment and our water quality. Stormwater runoff into our lakes, rivers and oceans is one of those issues where our individual actions make a difference. What we know now is that each one of us has a role to play in cleaning up this form of pollution.”

Timothy E. Scott, Charleston County Council chairman:
“It is important to educate citizens on things they can do at home to help improve water quality. We all must contribute to the effort of keeping our swimming and fishing areas clean and free of pollution.”

Mayor Carl Smith, Town of Sullivan’s Island:
“The idea of education is vital. Our marshes and wetlands are enormously important.”

Mayor F. Michael Sottile, City of Isle of Palms:
“The unique environment of the City of Isle of Palms — including beaches, estuaries, marshes and the Intracoastal Waterway — makes having a regional stormwater education strategy particularly important. The city is committed to educating our citizens and visitors in order to protect our natural resources for years to come.”

Mayor R. Keith Summey, City of North Charleston:
“In a community where streams, rivers and basins are so prevalent, it is of the utmost importance to educate those who work and live here about how to keep these valuable natural resources pristine. Clemson University’s Carolina Clear program and the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium will play a vital role in the preservation of these areas so they may be enjoyed for generations to come.”