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Dover public works outlines Earth Week events to meet MS4 stormwater permit requirements
Summary
City of Dover public works staff presented a schedule of free Earth Week events April 21–25 intended to satisfy two Minimum Control Measures (public education and public involvement) of the MPDES Phase II MS4 permit; council members praised the outreach. No formal council action was required.
Dover public works staff on Monday presented a schedule of free Earth Week activities April 21–25 designed to fulfill two minimum control measures of the MPDES Phase II municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit, city staff said.
The presentation described events ranging from a nature walk to a community stormwater day intended to improve public understanding of stormwater and to encourage citizen participation in the city’s MS4 program. "I want to emphasize that these are all free events," said Brynn Wombaugh, the city’s stormwater coordinator. Ariel Vickers, an environmental scientist with the Department of Public Works, called Thursday’s event the week’s centerpiece: "This will be our major event for the week. This will be from 12 to 3 in Silver Lake Park on the beach side where the volleyball court is," she said.
The city tied the week’s activities explicitly to MCM 1 (public education) and MCM 2 (public involvement) in the MS4 permit. Staff said they will send short participant surveys after events to measure learning (MCM 1) and that the litter pickup and catch-basin labeling activities are stewardship actions recommended in the permit to satisfy MCM 2.
Planned events and logistics announced by staff include: - Monday: nature walk at Soberly Park, 10 a.m.–noon; a guided option with a one-mile paved trail and an interactive "what do you see" sheet for participants. - Monday afternoon: showing of The Lorax in the Dover Public Library youth room, roughly 2:30–4 p.m.; refreshments provided while supplies last. - Tuesday: litter pickup and catch-basin labeling at Silver Lake Park, 1–3 p.m.; gloves and trash bags provided; catch-basin labeling limited by the number of basins available. - Wednesday: children’s activities in the library youth room, 1–3 p.m., with hands-on tables and brief educational facts on the back of instruction sheets. - Thursday: community stormwater day, noon–3 p.m., Silver Lake Park (beach/volleyball court); staff said six local environmental organizations had agreed to tabling; activities will include crafts, games and climate discussion space hosted by DenRec’s Climate Action Plan. - Friday: in-house stormwater day outside City Hall, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., timed with food trucks; a short staff quiz with gift-card prizes for city employees ($30 first prize, $20 second, $10 third) was announced.
Staff said advertising will include a Facebook event, the public works story map, the DPW news feature, and printed flyers and signs at city buildings including the Dover Public Library and City Hall. A volunteer sign-up and an event interest survey will be available via QR codes on printed materials and online; staff will use the surveys to collect attendance and learning metrics.
Council members who spoke praised the outreach. "I was extremely impressed with your presentation," said Councilman Neal. Neal said he would help distribute the presentation to neighborhood leaders. No formal council vote or funding decision was taken on the Earth Week program during the meeting.
The presentation materials linked each activity to specific permit language: measurable improvements for MCM 1 assessed by post-event surveys, and recommended stewardship actions for MCM 2 such as litter pickup and catch-basin labeling. Staff said some events are weather-dependent and noted they do not currently have rescheduled dates for weather-cancelled activities. Staff also said some equipment (grabbing tools, kneeling pads) will be provided by request.
Proclamations for National Crime Victims Rights Week and Arbor Day were read earlier in the meeting; those items were ceremonial and did not require council action. The meeting also included brief council announcements on street construction and upcoming municipal election logistics.
Votes at a glance - Motion: Adopt tonight’s agenda. Moved by Councilman Neal; seconded by Councilwoman Dr. Pillsbury. Vote: 6–0, adopted unanimously (Bogarty: yes; Neal: yes; Dr. Pillsbury: yes; Rocha: yes; Lewis: yes; Anderson: yes). Note: motion text taken from meeting record. - Motion: Adopt consent agenda. Moved by Councilman Nelson (submitted by Councilman Rocha; second not specified in record). Vote by roll call: 6–0, adopted unanimously (Bogarty: yes; Neal: yes; Dr. Pillsbury: yes; Rocha: yes; Lewis: yes; Anderson: yes).
