Communication Subgroup
If you are new to SWG, we recommend watching this ten-minute introductory video.
In 2009-2011, this subgroup planned strategies and drafted materials for communicating the SWG's recommendations to local government elected officials and staff in advance of Ecology's release of the draft NPDES municipal stormwater permit monitoring requirements. Now the subgroup works primarily via email to draft SWG Reporter issues that go out approximately 4 times per year. There remains a need to continue conducting outreach with local elected officials. In 2021-22, we will develop a new communication strategy.
Having delivered our Recommendations for Municipal Stormwater Permit Monitoring and overseen the launch and successful institutionalization of SAM, we want to be certain that local jurisdictions and others know about SWG's work and understand what the recommendations mean for local governments. We want to invite all interested parties to join in our work and process that goes into developing ongoing recommendations for regional stormwater and stormwater-related monitoring and science.
SAM contracted with the Association of Washington Cities in 2017 help us communicate the findings of SAM projects. The SAM contract with AWC ended in April 2021 having produced a SAM Communication Strategy and specific products including the SAM name, logo, and templates for fact sheets and presentations; four videos; the bioretention storymap; 23 fact sheets, 8 newsletters, and the SAM booklet compilation of the studies conducted during the 2013-2019 permit term.
Many have had some initial exposure to the work done by the SWG. Now that the recommendations and the permits have been issued, the need is different. We need to continue to set the stage about all of the work that went into this and what permittees and the region will get out of it.
Messages/Questions:
What stormwater information do the Puget Sound Science Panel, Stormwater Strategic Implementation Lead Team, and ecosystem recovery effort need?
When do they need it? In what format(s)?
Highlight pooled funding for city/county elected audience: What are jurisdictions getting from SAM?
What new recommendations or other information are needed or should be shared?
How would the recommendations be developed and to whom would they be submitted?
Are any changes needed for the next MS4 permits?
How is Ecology performing as the SAM administrator? What services are being provided