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Athens Soil & Water seeks council help promoting Dec. 9 MS4 stormwater workshop
Summary
Teresa Caldwell of the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District asked council to help promote a Dec. 9 public workshop and distribute grant‑funded educational materials to support the city’s MS4 permit compliance and contractor/employee training.
Teresa Caldwell, education coordinator for the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District, asked Athens City Council’s City & Safety Services committee for help publicizing a Dec. 9 stormwater workshop that the district plans to offer to residents and city contractors.
Caldwell said the workshop is part of the city’s MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) education work under the joint MS4 permit held by the city of Athens and Ohio University. “This grant…gave us a comprehensive library of Ohio EPA materials, which are sanctioned by Ohio EPA for employee and contractor training,” Caldwell said, adding the materials include brochures and short audiovisual spots the city could share.
The district listed past educational programs it runs on behalf of the city, including rain‑barrel and rain‑garden workshops, an Ohio River sweep along the Hocking River, a Waterfest for third‑grade students, storm‑drain marking, and training for contractors working inside city limits. Caldwell said she has delivered presentations at Hocking College, Ohio University and to local construction groups.
Residents asked logistical questions about the Dec. 9 workshop, including whether it could be live‑streamed for seniors and others who do not want to travel after dark; Caldwell said she lacks streaming capacity but would welcome the city making the event available virtually. One attendee asked who enforces compliance for construction sites; Caldwell said enforcement is the responsibility of the city’s environmental coordinator.
Caldwell said the workshop will take place on Dec. 9 at the Athens Community Center, Room A, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and requested that council members distribute flyers to constituents and share short public‑service spots on the city channel. Several audience members said they wanted printed materials and organizers agreed to provide extras.
Why it matters: The outreach is tied to the city’s MS4 permit obligations to Ohio EPA and is intended to raise public and contractor awareness of stormwater best practices, reduce pollution, and document the city’s education activities for permit compliance.
