FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2017
CONTACT: Dan Albrecht, Senior Planner
Chittenden
County RPC
Chittenden
County municipalities rebrand stormwater awareness program; launch Rethink Runoff
Winooski, VT – Nine Chittenden
County municipalities and three other entities are launching Rethink Runoff, a new multi-year public
education and participation campaign focused on reducing the impacts of
stormwater runoff. The campaign, with technical assistance from the Chittenden
County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), is a combined effort of the
municipalities of Burlington, Colchester, Essex, Essex Junction, Milton,
Shelburne, South Burlington, Williston and Winooski plus Burlington
International Airport, the University of Vermont and the Vermont Agency of
Transportation. For several years, these 12 partners have operated the
successful but separate efforts of the Regional Stormwater Education Program
and the Chittenden County Stream Team to engage the public.
Rethinkrunoff.org, the campaign’s website, combines
these efforts into a one-stop shop by providing data, educational resources,
tutorials and engagement opportunities that teach residents about the effects
of stormwater and the steps residents can take to help keep Lake Champlain
clean. Highlights include an interactive map showing at-risk rivers and streams
as well as animation that educates about projects around the house that can
help mitigate stormwater runoff. The Stream Team will continue as the campaign’s
public involvement arm to manage stormwater-based volunteer opportunities
throughout the spring and summer, as well as workshops, art projects, and clean-up
efforts. All upcoming events and volunteer opportunities are listed on rethinkrunoff.org.
“We’re
very excited that Rethink Runoff will increase public awareness and action to
the very important and timely issue of stormwater runoff. Rethinkrunoff.org
will be a great resource for people to learn about the impacts of stormwater
and what they can do to fight it and protect the water quality of Lake
Champlain and our local streams,” said Chelsea Mandigo of the Village of Essex
Junction, co-chair of the CCRPC’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
Subcommittee.
Highlighting
issues about roof and driveway runoff, pet waste, fertilizer, and auto
maintenance, the website illustrates how the day-to-day behaviors surrounding
these issues can lead to pollution and algae blooms in Lake Champlain. In
addition to general awareness, the Rethink Runoff website also shows examples
of easy-to-do science projects that parents can do with their kids.
For more
information, please contact Dan Albrecht, CCRPC Senior Planner, at dalbrecht@ccrpcvt.org or
(802) 846-4490, Ext. *29.
The CCRPC provides planning and technical
assistance in the areas of community development, transportation, agriculture,
natural resources, housing, economic development, telecommunications and
emergency management to the 19 municipalities of Chittenden County and to the
public, while remaining consistent with federal and state requirements. The
collaboration between the CCRPC, Chittenden County municipalities and other
related resources agencies results in the development and implementation of
plans that support sustainable development and improve the region’s environment
and quality of life. For more information about the CCRPC, please visit www.ccrpcvt.org.
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