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NARRATIVE SUMMARY OF STORMWATER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
The 2010 MS4 Permit requires the City of Mesa (City) to provide a narrative describing the implementation, progress, and challenges associated with the stormwater program activities as provided in the following subsections. The permit also requires the City to explain any significant developments or changes to the number or type of activities or the priorities or procedures for specific management practices. 3.1 PUBLIC EDUCATION & OUTREACH The 2010 MS4 Permit requires the City to report outreach events, topics, number of people reached, number and type of materials distributed and the target groups in this Annual Report as it pertains to the City’s stormwater public education and outreach program. The City’s stormwater public education and outreach method is managed through the STormwater Outreach for Regional Municipality (STORM) organization. STORM is comprised of Phase I and Phase II MS4 operators in the greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. STORM was founded in 2002 largely in response to the Phase II stormwater regulations and was spearheaded by the Phase I MS4 operators as a method of assisting all regulated MS4 operators in the development of their public education programs, among other things. As such, the City played a key role in the early years of the development of the STORM organization and continues to be a major participant and proud supporter to this day. The traditional approach to public stormwater education and outreach is for individual communities to work independently. STORM encourages a new perspective at a regional level to improve public outreach and education. Members meet monthly to discuss ideas, gather information, and share results of stormwater management tools, techniques, programs, and initiatives. The City realizes a great economic benefit from their membership investment. For a relatively small contribution, the City receives a significant return in public outreach and education, much more than the City would have gained working independently. Membership in STORM also provides increased buying power that helps achieve bulk pricing on storm water pollution awareness promotional items. Additionally, the ability to City of Mesa, Storm Water Annual Report
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