Group_3 Stormwater OutreachPublic Perceptions
and Outreach
Strategies for
Stormwater
Management in
Golden Valley
ESPM 4041W Problem Solving for Environmental Change
Report 3/7 Prepared for:
The City of Golden Valley
Prepared by:
Jessica Primozich - Project leader
Luke Frazier - Team group liaison
Piper Donlin
Jena Fabian
Tony Hawkins
December 10, 2012
Table of Contents
List of Figures.............................................ii
Acknowledgments..........................................iii
Executive Summary.........................................iv
Introduction................................................1
Golden Valley Vision.....................................2
Rationale...............................................3
Objectives..............................................4
Methods...................................................4
Site Description..........................................4
Research Techniques......................................6
Literature Review........................................7
Comparative Case Study...................................7
Personal Interviews.......................................8
Field Experiences.........................................8
Publication Assessment....................................9
Findings...................................................9
Inventory of Golden Valley’s Stormwater Management Programs..9
Key Audiences..........................................11
Multimedia Education and Outreach.........................12
Interviews..............................................15
Data from Publications...................................16
Recommendations..........................................18
Recommendation 1......................................18
Recommendation 2......................................20
Recommendation 3......................................20
Recommendation 4......................................22
Recommendation 5......................................23
Recommendation 6......................................23
Conclusion................................................26
References................................................26
Appendix A: Current Land Use in Golden Valley
Appendix B: Water Features to Focus On
Appendix C: Golden Valley Current Brochures
Appendix D: Publication Assessment Questions
Appendix E: Volunteer Sites in the City of Golden Valley
Appendix F: Example of Golden Valley Storm Drains
Appendix G: Example of Educational Signage
Appendix H: List of Possible Future Grants
Appendix I: Social Media Policy Modified for Golden Valley
Appendix J: List of Possible Survey Questions
Appendix K: Adopt-a-Pond Program Volunteer Checklist
i
List of Figures
Figure 1: Diagram of stormwater pond...........................2
Figure 2: Map of the City of Golden Valley in related to the
Bassett Creek Watershed, Minnesota.........................4
Figure 3: Before and after on-site stormwater ponds...............19
Figure 4: Mock stormwater management brochure.................21
Figure 5: Example of an Adopt-a-Pond sign......................25
ii
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank all who were involved with providing information about
Golden Valley’s stormwater management initiatives, the city’s volunteer programs,
and the public’s perception of stormwater issues. Additionally, we wish to recognize
every individual responsible for sharing outside information that assisted in the
development of this report. In particular, we would like to acknowledge the following
people:
Eric Eckman, Public Works Specialist, City of Golden Valley
Cheryl Weiler, Communications Coordinator, City of Golden Valley
Mitchell Hoeft, Engineer, City of Golden Valley
Lisa Wittman, Administrative Assistant, City of Golden Valley
Karlyn Eckman, University of Minnesota Water Resources Center
Liz Forbes, Natural Resources Technician, City of Burnsville
Jennifer Dullum, Natural Resource Specialist, City of Farmington
Ann Messerschmidt, Environmental Resource Specialist, City of Lakeville
Mike Kraszewski, Storm Water Specialist, Rochester Public Works Department
Carl Frederik Kontny, University of Minnesota Design Specialist
Kristen Nelson, Professor, Department of Forest Resources and Department of
Fisheries Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota
Gary Johnson, Professor, Department of Forest Resources, University of
Minnesota
Nick Bancks, Teaching Assistant, ESPM 4041W Problem Solving for
Environmental Change
iii
Executive Summary
In recent years, cities have prioritized the incorporation of a comprehensive natural
resource plan in their long-term sustainability goals. This report is an attempt to
develop that process and serves as a resource for the City of Golden Valley with
respect to community outreach, education, and engagement around stormwater
management. Golden Valley’s visions of future sustainability and community
engagement with regard to water resource health are supported and reflected through
the findings and recommendations provided.
As University of Minnesota students within the field of Environmental Sciences,
Policy and Management, we worked with the City of Golden Valley to develop an
integrated approach to stormwater outreach and education. We used several methods
to understand the current stormwater management initiatives and their potential
solutions, comparative case studies of programs in cities, personal interviews with
community members, field experiences, and assessment of Golden Valley’s current
media tools. Residents and local businesses have direct impacts on local water
bodies, including stormwater ponds, and so it is essential to provide educational
materials and engagement opportunities. That said, Golden Valley is one of several
communities within the Twin Cities metropolitan area that is working to successfully
implement stormwater management programs that actively promote the engagement
of local citizens. Therefore, by encouraging public involvement as another
component to the city’s existing stormwater management initiatives, Golden Valley
can create an even stronger foundation to set the course for a sustainable future.
After significant consideration of our objectives, findings, and the visions of Golden
Valley, our recommendations for enhancing Golden Valley’s stormwater education
and outreach strategies are as followed:
•Recommendation 1: Enhance resident and visitor knowledge of stormwater ponds
through expanded educational signage
•Recommendation 2: Enrich local understanding of stormwater management
through educational brochures
•Recommendation 3: Promote community involvement through educational
meetings
•Recommendation 4: Expand online media to include social media
•Recommendation 5: Use surveys to assess perceptions of stormwater
managementand tailor programs for Golden Valley residents and business owners
•Recommendation 6: Review the use of Adopt-a-Pond Programs by other
municipalities and design a program appropriate for Golden Valley
Implementing these recommendations will not only enhance the efficiency and
effectiveness of existing programs and management methods, but create new
iv
programs for the future, with the goal of increasing the knowledge and commitment
of Golden Valley residents.
By integrating these ideas into what Golden Valley already has, the city can continue
to be a leader in citizen engagement and sustainable resource management.
v
Introduction
The City of Golden Valley is a proactive leader in sustainable resource management
and strives to work with its citizens to ensure the long-term health of their tight-knit
community (City of Golden Valley Public Works 2008). In Fall 2012, University of
Minnesota students in the Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management program
worked with Golden Valley staff to assist in the development of sustainable
stormwater management practices, vegetation management, and natural resource
management policies.
This report analyzes the public’s perception of stormwater management and existing
stormwater outreach and educational programs within Golden Valley and
neighboring Twin Cities Metropolitan areas. These tasks were undertaken to
understand the degree to which Golden Valley residents know about stormwater and
to determine what types of stormwater management programs have been successfully
implemented within Golden Valley and other similar cities. Extensive research and
environmental expertise will allow for the development of a community volunteer
stormwater management program, effective educational outreach programming, and a
community assessment protocol that can be used to survey Golden Valley residents
regarding their perceptions of the area’s multiple stormwater ponds and practices.
That said, what is stormwater management and why should citizens pay more
attention to it? Stormwater is the precipitation that runs off surfaces that cannot
absorb water, called impervious surfaces, such as asphalt or cement (Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency 2008). This water cannot seep through parking lots, roads,
or driveways and is instead washed into storm sewers and, eventually, nearby bodies
of water. Unfortunately, the pollutants and debris found on many impervious surfaces
are picked up by this water runoff and carried into lakes, rivers and streams with the
potential to cause serious problems for environmental and human health (Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency 2008). Managing stormwater is a very important concern in
every city and there are several possible approaches to tackling this inevitable issue.
One method involves the mitigation of existing stormwater, a technique usually done
through the creation of stormwater ponds (Figure 1) (City of Golden Valley 2012a).
Acting as stormwater interceptors, these ponds allow polluted sediments to settle
naturally, keeping them out of surface water systems and other components of the
watershed (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 2008). The ponds also help reduce
flooding during heavy storms by temporarily storing excess water, a crucial feature
for cities like Golden Valley that are built upon predominantly clay soils that cannot
readily absorb excess moisture (US Department of Agriculture 2012). These methods
of mitigating runoff are essential for communities like Golden Valley. A
supplementary strategy incorporates education and effective public outreach methods
to target and reduce excess stormwater runoff and its subsequent pollutants at the
source. This method, focusing on the simplest solution from a structural standpoint, is
1
Figure 1: Diagram of stormwater pond.
Source: City of Golden Valley (2012a). Ponding. Retrieved from website:
http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/surfacewater/ponding.php
not only efficient but also decreases the amount of time, resources, and effort
required to maintain tangible mitigation techniques such as stormwater ponds. Thus,
by incorporating a combination of educational outreach materials and stormwater
management methods throughout Golden Valley, the city can ensure that the
residents are educated about the importance of pollution prevention and stormwater
quality and the water is controlled to reduce the risk of flooding, filtered to ensure
better water quality, and monitored to decrease the amount of sedimentation and
pollutants.
Golden Valley Vision
With a clear vision for sustainable resource management, Golden Valley is proactive
in managing its water resources, fully reflecting the value the community places on
2
the surrounding natural environment. Maintaining water quality is vital for preserving
natural areas as well as enhancing water-based recreation activities, and is just one of
the many beneficial services Golden Valley’s water resources provides to citizens.
Given these priceless benefits, Golden Valley officials and staff believe in the
importance of effectively managing their water resources so that these outlined
benefits will remain available to the community for years to come (City of Golden
Valley Public Works 2008).
Golden Valley officials have determined that there are several areas in need of
immediate attention in order to successfully manage the city’s water resources. First
the city must attend to the quality of stormwater that eventually flows into rivers,
lakes, streams, and even groundwater in some cases through intensive and effective
management. To tackle this immense task, any illicit discharge of pollutants should
be eliminated and measures must be put into place to assist with early detection of the
discharges. Flooding is also an understandable local concern for the city’s residents,
along with eroded streambank sediment that can contaminate surface water during
flood conditions. In the long term, this erosion can affect the city’s wetlands,
shorelands, and other essential natural resources. Thus, stormwater needs to be
properly managed to reduce the likelihood of potential damage. Lastly, Golden
Valley would like to utilize education and public involvement to maximize the
success of water resource management (City of Golden Valley Public Works 2008).
Therefore, by request of the City of Golden Valley, University of Minnesota students
have developed a variety of outreach and education program recommendations for
the benefit of the public.
Rationale
Although Golden Valley is taking significant steps toward increasing public
awareness and knowledge of stormwater management through current programming
avenues, there are still barriers that must be faced. For instance, Golden Valley is
striving to improve its natural resource management initiatives during a national
economic crisis. That said, many local governments are struggling to address an ever-
expanding list of tasks that are vital to the community with limited funding and staff.
As such, city staff must manage increasing demands with a smaller budget and
diligent, efficient employees. In particular, the city’s waterways are being threatened
by sedimentation, pollution, and invasive species—all issues that simply cannot be
solved through existing staff support alone. This proposal strives to assist the staff
members with the daunting challenges they are currently facing (Hoeft 2012). The
culmination of all class projects will provide recommendations for a sustainable
natural resource management plan within the City of Golden Valley that can be
implemented over the next 20 years. This report’s goal is to assist city employees
through increased community engagement for the improvement of water resource
vitality. A plan has been developed that increases the efficiency of existing programs
while creating new initiatives that will both streamline the city’s duties and give
3
citizens an active role in bettering the community. Through increased efficiency of
existing programs, greater effectiveness, and the participation of local citizens,
Golden Valley staff can delegate funds to other pertinent areas in need of attention.
Class Vision
Through exchanges with Golden Valley staff and our fellow students at the
University of Minnesota, we developed a class vision to guide the projects that will
contribute to the city’s natural resource management plan. It encompasses the city’s
unique dynamic while providing perspective for future endeavors. We hope to create
a proactive, cohesive, and flexible natural resource plan that supports community
engagement and advances the role of Golden Valley as a leader in environmental
management.
Objectives
•Identify opportunities and challenges in relation to residential and private
business perceptions of stormwater pond management,
•Design a community assessment protocol for residents’ and private businesses’
perceptions of the ponds,
•Create example outreach programming for stormwater pond best management
practices,
•Provide recommendations for a communication program as well as tools with
refined messages about best management practices for homeowners adjacent to
stormwater ponds, and
•Identify opportunities for a community volunteer program for stormwater pond
monitoring.
Methods
Site Description
The City of Golden Valley is a first-ring suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, located
within Hennepin County and the Bassett Creek Watershed (Figure 2 ). According to
the Metropolitan Council, Golden Valley’s 2011 population of around 20,400 is
mostly made up of middle-aged homeowners, most of whom are college-educated.
Golden Valley’s land area is zoned for three primary functions: 42% of the city is
residential housing, 20% is used for parks and recreation, and 14% is set aside for
commercial and industrial uses (Metropolitan Council 2012).
4
Figure 2: Map of the City of Golden Valley in relation to the Bassett Creek Watershed, Minnesota.
Source:
City of Golden Valley (2012b). Watershed Districts of Golden Valley. Retrieved from Eric Eckman.
The city is home to a multitude of important bodies of water that provide vital habitat
for many species and are popular recreation areas for citizens and visitors to Golden
Valley (Golden Valley Public Works 2008). However, a significant portion of the
land area is covered by impervious surfaces such as parking lots, driveways,
sidewalks, and residential streets. These hard surfaces, impenetrable by stormwater,
far outweigh the total area of surface water seen throughout the city. This is made
apparent by the fact that major roadways account for double the land area that open
waterways do (City of Golden Valley 2012c) (Appendix A). Prominent surface water
features such as Sweeney Lake and Bassett Creek are considered impaired on the
MPCA list of water quality. It is of the utmost importance to keep these water bodies
as clean as possible for both the local community and every downstream city that
either receives these flowing waters or shares the same watershed with Golden Valley
(City of Golden Valley Public Works 2008).
The City of Golden Valley’s estimated 31 public stormwater ponds, along with
multiple others on private property, are all mandated by the Clean Water Act of 1984
(Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 2012). In addition, Golden Valley also features
1,000 or so stormwater drains tasked with carry precipitation run-off to holding ponds
or other surface water locations (Golden Valley Public Works 2012). Ponds may be
naturally occurring or humanmade, though both serve similar purposes of controlling
stormwater flow rates and maintaining water quality. Constructed stormwater ponds
are mandatory features for any new development, serving as attempts to offset the
impact of increased impervious surfaces from newly-created rooftops or parking lots.
All ponds require scheduled inspection and monitoring in accordance with the
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System program (City of Golden Valley
2009). Although Golden Valley staff members currently complete inspections of
public stormwater ponds at a monitoring rate of 20% per year (City of Golden Valley
2009), both maintenance and water quality could improve with additional stormwater
management education and outreach programming for residents and the support of
public volunteerism.
Research Techniques
For the purposes of this report, it was necessary to understand the current state of
stormwater education and outreach throughout Golden Valley and identify critical
areas for expansion and improvement. Our data primarily consisted of information
collected through literature reviews, case study analyses, personal interviews, field
experiences, and documents such as the City of Golden Valley Comprehensive Plan
2008-2018. The multisource collection of data was then analyzed not only to
establish a baseline of the existing knowledge, educational approaches, and outreach
strategies, but more specifically to determine an ideal set of future programming
recommendations tailored to the educational needs of the local population.
6
Literature Review
At the onset of this project, we recognized the difficulties of obtaining a
representative sample of Golden Valley residents concerning knowledge about
behavior toward stormwater management issues given the limited time and resources
available. Currently, comprehensive data does not exist. That said, we turned to
research on related subjects that had recently taken place within the Twin Cities
metropolitan region to tailor suggestions to an assumed target audience. Specifically,
we reviewed studies conducted by the Mississippi Watershed Management
Organization of two Minneapolis neighborhoods (Nerbonne, 2005, 2006), a study by
the University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center of St. Paul’s Como
neighborhood (Eckman, 2012), and another study of the Highland Park and Lino
Lakes areas conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities Household
Ecosystem Project (Nelson, 2012).
Comparative Case Study
We completed a comparative case study analysis to identify public stormwater
management strategies that would be most effective for Golden Valley. To broaden
our approach in search of successful programs, this method focused on Minnesota
cities that are both similar to and different from the City of Golden Valley in terms of
demographics and geography. Regardless, the communities we examined across state
all emphasized an importance on controlling local water resources. This region has
valuable stormwater management education and outreach materials as well as
stormwater management programs in place. With a concentration on Adopt-a-Pond
programs, citizens assume responsibility for the health of designated water bodies
with guided help from city officials. We received and reviewed information from the
Minnesota cities of Lakeville, Farmington, Rochester, and Burnsville.
Each city’s official website proved o be a useful resource in the development of
recommendations related to volunteer stormwater management approaches. Beyond
this discovery, we made contact with the representative responsible for every city’s
public outreach programming, specifically asking about overall experience with, and
general advice for, citizen-driven stormwater management. The information proved
to be both qualitative and quantitative in nature, relaying success rates for various
attempted programs and insights about the reasons for the associated successes or
failures. After data collection, we analyzed the information for patterns as to why
specific approaches succeeded or failed in certain areas. These findings were used to
develop programs and educational materials for use in Golden Valley.
7
Personal Interviews
We conducted two types of personal interviews for distinct purposes. To establish a
solid understanding of the Golden Valley community, we spoke with staff members
well versed with stormwater and outreach issues to familiarize ourselves with the
present approaches to public management and programming. At our first meeting
with city officials on September 13, 2012, City Engineer Mitchell Hoeft shared his
perceptions of the effectiveness of current initiatives along with the limitations to
citywide education and involvement strategies. Similarly, Golden Valley Public
Works Specialist Eric Eckman delivered documents via email throughout the month
of September explaining the current status and procedures pertaining to the city’s
stormwater management. Finally, we conducted an interview with Cheryl Weiler, the
city’s Communications Coordinator, to further inquire about the effectiveness of
certain aspects of the stormwater outreach programs in place.
Our second set of interviews involved individuals not professionally associated with
the city itself, mostly consisting of a pilot sample of residents in a casual
environment. During an observational visit to Golden Valley on September 16, 2012,
we spoke with two individuals who had brought their children to play at Hampshire
Park. We asked them open-ended knowledge-based questions about what stormwater
is, the impacts of stormwater runoff, the importance of stormwater ponds, and their
perceptions of the surrounding community’s acceptance to the implementation of an
Adopt-a-Pond program. In addition, our group visited Golden Valley during the city’s
Valley Volunteer Day on October 6, 2012. While working to remove invasive
species, one gentleman with experience contributing to volunteer events in the area
shared his suggestions for maximizing citizen involvement. Using an identical
questioning technique later that same day, we spoke with seven individuals who were
attending a public outdoor event and asked them the same questions.
As with the comparative case studies, we analyzed our interviews/earlier notes for
patterns in individual responses. Although we utilized these responses as supportive
evidence for our ultimate recommendations, we do realize that a few personal
interviews are not a representative sample of the Golden Valley citizenry. That said,
none of our outlined recommendations were established specifically with such an
assumption.
Field Experiences
To better understand the current conditions of the City of Golden Valley with relation
to stormwater management, we embarked on field experiences throughout the area to
observe the physical and social environment. While in the city, we performed a
variety of investigative tasks which included inspecting storm drains, stormwater
ponds, observing natural areas and parks, reading educational signage, and talking to
local residents (Appendix B). Any potentially helpful information was recorded for
8
future use, such as noting the existence of debris collected in and/or around sampled
stormwater drains. Although stormwater management must be a citywide effort, we
realize the need for localized applications for targeted areas in need of improvement.
Considering this reality, we recorded the immediate surroundings, accessibility of the
ponds, and whether ponds were constructed or natural to determine feasibility for the
future implementation of potential programs.
Publication Assessment
The City of Golden Valley has many documents and publications pertaining to public
outreach and education. The brochures, which can be found in the Golden Valley
City Hall as well as the Golden Valley Hennepin County Library (Appendix C), focus
on Storm Sewer Systems; Compost; Fertilizer; Residential Snow and Ice Care;
Grading, Drainage, and Erosion Control; and Rain Gardens, among other topics.
Relevant informational public documents include the City of Golden Valley
Comprehensive Plan 2008-2018, the Executive Summary of the City of Golden
Valley Residential Study 2007, and the Golden Valley Storm Water Management
Plan. In addition to these documents and brochures, signage around wetlands and
stormwater ponds provided information on important impacts of stormwater
management. Through comparative analysis with other cities’ brochures and
publications, we presented the brochure to ten University of Minnesota students and
asked for their opinions about what they liked and improvements that could be made
to Golden Valley’s brochures. In addition, we analyzed design aspects of established
signage such as whether they included photos, diagrams, and lettering. We assessed
documents using key criteria including aesthetics, clarity, content, and resources
available to the public (Appendix D).
Findings
The following section provides the results from the diverse set of methods conducted
to get a better understanding of Golden Valley’s assorted services and background
information that will be used to inform recommendations. Through research, we have
insights regarding key audiences, Golden Valley’s current programs, outreach
materials, and the barriers that impede the full success of the city’s initiatives.
Inventory of Golden Valley’s Stormwater Management Programs
Stormwater Management Programs
Golden Valley already has several stormwater management programs in place, some
carried out by city staff members and some by city residents. These efforts are
performed by the City of Golden Valley to ensure stormwater ponds remain healthy
and to minimize the adverse repercussions of stormwater runoff on water quality and
9
quantity. Current management activities include cleaning ponds (removing debris or
dredging entirely), stormwater pipes, catch basins and environmental manholes. City
employees also sweep streets from March to November, as weather permits, to clear
unwanted debris before it enters the stormwater sewers. In addition, Golden Valley
presently provides its citizens with multiple programs as opportunities to take action
regarding stormwater ponds bordering their property. One example of these programs
is the Pond Treatment Program that includes algae treatment and weed control to
improve aesthetics around ponds. The other available program is the Rear Yard
Drainage Program, an initiative that requires individual property owners to petition
for improvements to correct drainage problems before the City will offer technical
assistance. Another example of an existing program is the Storm Water Pollution
Prevention Program (SWPPP), an overarching initiative designed to minimize the
discharge of pollutants and protect or enhance water quality while satisfying the
mandates of the Clean Air and Water Acts of 1984 (City of Golden Valley 2009).
Volunteer options and programs are available for citizens as well, such as the storm
drain inlet and outlet programs that are focused in different areas across the city
(Appendix E). For the inlet program, individuals are responsible for keeping storm
drains clear of debris as well as stenciling the outline of a fish along with the message
“Dump No Waste” around storm drains that lead to local waterbodies (Appendix F).
In contrast, the outlet program consists of city staff coordinating and encouraging
volunteers to adopt storm drain outlets, incorporating a devised system to notify the
city of maintenance concerns or illicit discharges.
These programs not only empower citizens by reminding them of their vital role in
protecting Golden Valley’s water resources, but also spread awareness about the
City’s surface water bodies and stormwater ponds.
Barriers of Stormwater Management Programs
Although these programs are available to help the community improve stormwater
management, there are a variety of barriers that inhibit implementation and success.
For example, if citizens wanted to improve the aesthetics of a stormwater pond near
their properties using the city’s Pond Treatment Program, there are several potentially
complicated steps involved. Citizens would first have to create a petition, an initiative
that requires 75% of the bordering property owners to agree to the proposed changes
before being brought to a City Hall meeting for approval by the City Council Board
(City of Golden Valley Public Works 2012a). Only then can a contract be written up
in order to begin treatment on the pond and all costs are assessed to the bordering
property owners. However, this treatment is only short-term and thus the citizens
would need to complete these steps on a recurring basis in order to ensure the health
of their community pond. Since this is a long and complex process, it is unlikely that
the average citizen would have the time or motivation to complete these steps
repeatedly.
10
The Rear Yard Drainage Program has very similar barriers when compared to the
Pond Treatment Program, requiring homeowners to petition for improvements for
their problem drainage areas to receive technical assistance from the city. The city
itself, though, does not cover any costs related to the problem. Many citizens may not
have the time or money to ensure the problem is correctly fixed in a timely fashion.
Overall, the insufficient amount of information about initiated programs may
discourage citizens from being interested in improving the quality of their stormwater
ponds altogether. There are a limited amount of programs that include cooperative
efforts among community volunteers that allow residents to contribute to long-term
stormwater management improvements.
Key Audiences
Identification of key audiences is an essential part of effective public outreach. We
were able to successfully distinguish important target audiences after reviewing
personal interviews with Golden Valley residents and the demographic information
found within the City of Golden Valley’s Comprehensive Plan 2008-2018.
Determining the target audience is vital because they will have direct influences on
the water quality of stormwater systems and will eventually be affected by proposed
educational recommendations. The key audiences within Golden Valley are the
residents who directly affect the City’s water quality and local businesses who are
required to install but not necessarily maintain stormwater ponds.
Residents
All Golden Valley residents have direct effects on water quality and may live on land
that borders a stormwater pond. As 42% of Golden Valley’s land is used for
residential areas and most residents are homeowners, much of the land is covered
with hard surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, roads, and parking lots
(Metropolitan Council 2010). This reality makes it more likely for dirt, debris, and
waste to be washed into storm drains after it rains or snows, with the substances
eventually traveling into the local water bodies. The quality of the local watershed
relies on the personal actions and everyday habits of residents, with influential
practices including lawn maintenance, waste disposal, gardening techniques, car
washing, deicing sidewalks, and much more. Resulting polluted stormwater runoff
can include excessive sediments, nutrients, debris, and wastes that adversely affect
the water quality, natural habitat, animals, and people that live in a certain watershed
(US Environmental Protection Agency 2003).
Local Businesses and Industries
Golden Valley’s businesses directly affect the water quality of their local water
bodies as an estimated 14% of Golden Valley’s land is set aside for commercial and
industrial use (Metropolitan Council 2010). A nearby pond is required for the
establishment of any new business to offset the additional stormwater flow from an
11
increase in impervious surfaces. If existing ponds within the area do not have the
capacity to effectively handle the extra stormwater flow, a new pond must be
constructed in response to the new business establishment. This practice attempts to
control the flow of pollutants directed into Sweeney Lake, Bassett Creek and other
major bodies of water in the local watershed (City of Golden Valley 2012a). As such,
Golden Valley’s Surface Water Management Program requires the installation of
stormwater ponds on all construction sites throughout the City along with reliable
management practices. If a company were to construct an additional building on their
land, they are required to obtain a stormwater management permit for any land-
disturbing activities that involve the removal of soil or vegetation. This can include
activities that are done before construction as well as after construction. Projects that
entail any form of land clearing, digging, draining, and filling are required to have
these permits along with projects that involve construction, expansion, modification,
or destruction of a foundation wall and/or parking lot (City of Golden Valley 2012d).
Barriers Due to Limited Communication Between Residents and City
Judging by the interviews we conducted and case studies we reviewed, it is clear that
there are a variety of barriers pertaining to the key audiences. We have perceived that
some residents may not understand or even be aware of the importance of stormwater
ponds. It is possible that other residents may not care or know where to find the
correct resources about available programs that improve the quality of these ponds.
This might be due to the limited communication between residents and the city or
because there is not enough emphasis on the importance of these ponds within the
community. As previously stated, it has been found that residents with more
information about stormwater management have been more involved with these
management programs (Eckman 2012).
In addition, local businesses may not be helping the overall health of their stormwater
ponds, despite management regulations. While businesses have clear regulations on
how to create a stormwater pond, the city does not monitor the health of the ponds
over time thus decreasing the pond’s effectiveness. Furthermore, since the ponds are
not monitored, the businesses are not penalized if they improperly manage the
stormwater pond.
Multimedia Education and Outreach
Golden Valley uses diverse forms of communication to ensure that residents have
access to stormwater management information. Educational and outreach
informational materials are vital forms of local communication. The two main
communication channels used in Golden Valley to inform citizens are online and
print media. In addition to these two primary types, the city holds public meetings
and has cable television scrolls, both of which occasionally provide information
about stormwater management. To learn more about these communication channels,
we took an inventory of Golden Valley’s public media outlets.
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Online Media
The residents of Golden Valley currently have access, whether from home or within a
public place, to online media such as the official pages produced by the City of
Golden Valley and the state of Minnesota, as well as the Golden Valley Patch
website. The city’s website (http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/) was created as a
convenient way to inform Golden Valley residents about relevant information and
services the city provides. This communication tool provides residents with
information regarding a summary of stormwater management and how individuals
can reduce their impact on their watershed. A citywide survey found that 32% of the
households in Golden Valley access the city’s website less than once a month, yet
this group rated the website as either “good” or “excellent” and stated they were
always able to find what they were looking for (Decision Resources, Ltd. 2007). The
Golden Valley Patch (http://goldenvalley.patch.com/) is a self-described
“community-specific news, information and engagement platform” that is run by
professional editors and photographers living in the Golden Valley area (Golden
Valley Patch 2012). Although this website is a helpful tool for discovering local
events and engagement opportunities, it does not provide information specifically
related to stormwater.
Print Media
In addition to online media, Golden Valley residents also have access to print media
that can further educate them on stormwater-related issues. Such resources include
Golden Valley’s bimonthly newsletter, a multicommunity newspaper, educational
brochures, and a new resident packet.
The CityNews is Golden Valley’s bimonthly newsletter that provides information for
the residents and local businesses regarding city services, ongoing city projects,
public events, and more. The newsletter is mailed to about 12,500 homes and
businesses and it is estimated that the CityNews is read by 90% of its recipients (City
of Golden Valley 2012e; Decision Resources, Ltd. 2007). A 2006 citywide survey
found that 94% of the surveyed residents rated the content of the newsletter “good” or
“excellent” (Decision Resources, Ltd. 2007). The Sun Post Newspaper is a
community paper that is produced for the use of the northwest suburbs of
Minneapolis, Minnesota, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal,
Robbinsdale, New Hope, and Golden Valley. This weekly newspaper provides the
residents of these cities with news about local government, sports, law enforcement,
weddings, births and obituaries (Sun Post 2012). Particularly pertaining to
stormwater, this informational channel provides public notices when appropriate.
Golden Valley additionally has educational brochures that are available at Golden
Valley’s City Hall building and Golden Valley’s Hennepin County Library for the
use of city residents and visitors (Appendix C). These brochures focus on the benefits
of the storm sewer system, the negative effects of fertilizer runoff on water quality,
and the importance of flood control; among other topics. It was found that the
brochures have accurate and educational information.
13
As new families move into Golden Valley, the city ensures that they all receive a new
resident packet that provides residents with relevant information about stormwater
management. These packets contain several recent editions of the CityNews
newsletter, all of Golden Valley’s educational brochures, a project to-do list with
advice on how to maintain nearby storm sewer openings, and a booklet on Golden
Valley's streets, parks, and trails which mentions that the city has adopted a Surface
Water Management Plan to help guide the management and preservation of the city’s
water resources. These are all important items for residents to have as they begin their
lives in Golden Valley in order to assist in the proper management of the city’s
natural resources.
Televised Media
The residents of Golden Valley, additionally, have access to city information on two
cable television channels that focus on community news within the northwest
suburbs. The Channel 12 news promotes community events and programming for the
northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn
Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth, and
Robbinsdale. This news channel provides full coverage of local parades, concerts,
special community events, sporting games, and news stories on a daily basis along
with special weekend shows (Northwest Community Television 2012). It was found
that among cable television subscribers 53% reported watching Channel 12 News
either “frequently” or “occasionally” (Decision Resources, Ltd. 2007). Residents who
are cable subscribers also have Government Access Channel 16, which provides local
programming for Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple
Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth, and Robbinsdale. The programming on this
channel includes live/taped replays of the various City meetings, electronic
billboarding of City information for residents, and other miscellaneous programs
produced by one of the nine member cities. Golden Valley’s City Council and Human
Resources Administration replays seven times a week and the Planning Commission
replays twice (Northwest Suburbs Cable Communications Commission 2012).
According to a citywide survey, 48% of cable subscribers “frequently” or
“occasionally” watch Golden Valley City Council Meetings and 43% report watching
the Community Bulletin Board on the Government Access Channel (Decision
Resources, Ltd. 2007).
Educational Signs
Golden Valley currently has educational signs located in easily visible public areas
near its wetlands and ponds to highlight the city’s restoration and revegetation
projects (Appendix G). The city has utilized these signs because they are a low-
maintenance outreach tool that can be used to inform and educate a variety of
audiences about natural resource management practices (Weiler 2012). The
educational signs currently focus on the importance of shoreline planting and flood
control as well as the benefits of rain gardens and stormwater ponds.
14
Barriers of Multimedia Education and Outreach
Golden Valley currently has several barriers within all forms of its media that are
reducing the effectiveness of the educational outreach material. For instance, the city
has an extensive official website but it is lacking social media which could expand its
audience and enable the city to keep the residents updated on current programs,
projects, and events. Considering print media, in the form of education brochures, we
internally evaluated surface-level effectiveness in terms of visual appeal, written
content, and how easy the information is to understand. In addition, we shared these
materials with university students in environmental studies, asking what they liked
about the brochures and what was lacking. As a result, we deemed that the current
educational brochures in Golden Valley could be made more concise and appealing to
improve their impact on the residents reading them.
Interviews
City Officials
In an interview with Communications Coordinator Cheryl Weiler, we learned that
community members are active, both socially and physically, and strive to be
culturally creative and open-minded. Cheryl stated that Golden Valley resident’s rely
on the CityNews Newsletter and the official Golden Valley website to retrieve
information about the services that the city offers. Additionally, brochures and
educational signage along waterways and trails have proved to be key tools for
informing residents about natural resource management practices. Aside from
receiving phone calls and emails from residents regarding the effectiveness of these
educational tools, the city does not have a way of determining the success of their
communication efforts (Weiler 2012).
The city has hired a part-time volunteer coordinator to develop and organize
volunteer projects and to work directly with volunteers. Cheryl Weiler stated that
having structure is very important when trying to implement and ensure the success
of a volunteer program.
In 2006 the city performed a citywide survey and found that 84% of participants
thought the city’s storm drain and flood control services were “good/excellent,”
indicating that the stormwater services already put in place are perceived as favorable
(Decision Resources, Ltd. 2007).
Residents
Golden Valley residents have a very basic knowledge of what stormwater
management is and its associated benefits. Citizens understand and seem concerned
about the ability of stormwater management to reduce the risk of excess flooding.
Though in terms of specifics, individuals did not always know each and every
important benefit of stormwater ponds, such as the interception of pollutants
collected by rainwater runoff. Aesthetic preferences were also mentioned, and
15
differing desires among citizens could potentially affect whether or not proper
management practices are fully implemented. This finding is not based on a
representative sample but is instead a general insight based on informal interviews
with residents of Golden Valley.
Barriers Discovered in the Interviews
Although citizens seemed interested in the topic, interviewed residents’ general
knowledge of stormwater was limited. Their immediate concerns appeared to be
focused on flood control and aesthetics rather than maintaining water quality.
Additionally, City Engineer Mitchell Hoeft noted that attracting the public’s attention
to important community-wide issues and maintaining interest to incite collective
action tended to be the most difficult aspects of voluntary involvement (2012). Thus,
it was concluded that the available information about stormwater management needs
to be more engaging, accessible, and thorough in order to capture the interest of
residents. By providing educational stormwater information in an appealing manner it
is more likely that the residents will take the time to read the educational materials
and learn how to become involved. In addition, it is important to measure the
effectiveness of these communication efforts and this can be done by creating an
analysis tool.
It was determined that the stormwater-related questions in the 2006 citywide survey,
provided by the Communications Coordinator, were limited and did not provide the
city with qualitative data regarding citizen’s stormwater knowledge. Instead, the
questions within the survey focused on how the citizens viewed the quality of storm
drainage and flood control (Decision Resources, Ltd. 2006). This means that the city
does not have thorough knowledge regarding how residents perceive and understand
stormwater, and therefore do not have enough information to make changes in
communicative strategies based on the public’s perception.
Data from Publications
Studies of resident attitudes conducted in nearby areas have shown that Golden
Valley residents are likely knowledgeable about stormwater issues and are willing to
make a lifestyle change for the benefit of local water quality with proper information
presented with the promise of attractive outcomes and community programming
opportunities.
Through a study conducted by the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center,
researchers examined the knowledge and behaviors related to water issues of a
residents in St. Paul’s Como neighborhood. These residents, with their close
proximity to city water bodies, were found to already have a strong base-level
knowledge of stormwater impacts on the hydrological system (Eckman 2012). To
translate retained information to positive practices, though, the delivery method of
information is an important piece for improving public behaviors. A representative
16
survey of the Longfellow and Seward neighborhoods in Minneapolis sponsored by
the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and the Higher Education
Consortium for Urban Affairs discovered that over half of the sampled population
would make lifestyle changes for the benefit of local water quality, yet did not know
what could be done at the individual scale (Nerbonne 2005). An even larger
percentage of people in the study noted a willingness to take action to promote
community practices if extra information was provided, and those with more
stormwater knowledge, in general, were more likely to take part in better
management practices. With both of these studies receiving the majority of their input
from a middle-aged or older, educated, and white demographic, results are
conceivably similar to the residents in Golden Valley. From these studies it can be
concluded that in order to change the behavior of residents, it is important to provide
them with specific and tangible information in the hopes that they will become more
involved.
Beyond overall best practices, outreach strategies must also attend to resident values
and preferences to inspire engagement. One study of the City of Lino Lakes and St.
Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood involved a survey. Residents stated that
aesthetics was the highest-valued benefit of water bodies and natural areas (Nelson
2012). However, multiple interviews conducted within the Longfellow and Seward
neighborhoods illuminated differing opinions on what is and is not aesthetically
attractive (Nerbonne 2006). Regardless, given this preference for pleasing
viewscapes, outreach strategies and techniques would ideally focus on beautifying the
landscape along with improving citywide stormwater control.
One aspect that appeared in almost every reviewed study was the importance and
power of community togetherness. Como neighborhood residents, for example,
responded quite positively to the idea of a structured community event to tidy up the
area by sweeping streets and cleaning curbs (Eckman 2012). Trust and
encouragement also tended to lie more with local leaders than government officials,
and the same sentiment was identified within the Longfellow and Seward
neighborhoods as well (Nerbonne 2006). Along similar locally focused lines, people
living in Lino Lakes and Highland Park reported that they were much more likely to
attend events organized by neighborhood associations than formal city environmental
committee meetings (Nelson 2012). The importance of community-driven behavior
change possibilities can be considered as an effective strategy for outreach programs.
Barriers within Publications
Analyzing comparable populations within the same metropolitan region as Golden
Valley may prove to be helpful at an immediate level, yet knowledge and behavior of
residents living within other cities are not perfectly transferable to Golden Valley’s
citizenry. Variables beyond the similarities in age, race, and education level do exist
and could strongly influence a population’s mindset. To repeat sentiments stated
earlier, the absence of information regarding Golden Valley’s stormwater ponds in
17
relation to residents makes it difficult to know just how applicable other research
results could be.
If Golden Valley residents actually lack a strong understanding of stormwater and
proper practices, this potential information gap could be keeping them from
conducting environmentally friendly behaviors. Additionally, attempting to increase
public involvement without consideration for community aesthetic values or the
apparent preference for neighborhood organization may prove to be ineffective at the
onset. With these secondary studies in mind to supplement our personal research
specifically within Golden Valley, we are prepared to present recommendations to
support the overall improvement of the city’s approach to public outreach.
Recommendations
The following recommendations were developed based on the aforementioned
findings as they apply to Golden Valley and its existing stormwater management
programs and outreach strategies. The City of Golden Valley can take action to fully
understand, encourage, and improve the practices of residents and businesses within
the community. By implementing these recommendations, the city will enhance
public participation and community engagement while improving the health and
sustainability of Golden Valley’s water resources.
•Recommendation 1: Enhance resident and visitor knowledge of stormwater ponds
through expanded educational signage
•Recommendation 2: Enrich local understanding of stormwater management
systems through educational brochures
•Recommendation 3: Promote community involvement through educational
meetings
•Recommendation 4: Expand online media to include social media
•Recommendation 5: Use surveys to assess perceptions of stormwater
management among Golden Valley residents and business owners
•Recommendation 6: Review the use of Adopt-a-Pond Programs by other
municipalities and design a program appropriate for Golden Valley
Recommendation 1: Enhance resident and visitor knowledge on
stormwater ponds through expanded educational signage
With an estimated 30 stormwater ponds located throughout the city (Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency 2012), implementation of additional educational signage at
key pond sites can increase public knowledge about stormwater ponds and how they
benefit the surrounding community. To accomplish this goal, sites and potential areas
for new signage have been identified throughout Golden Valley. Potential areas for
18
the placement of new educational signage can be found on a map that focuses on
important water features identified by the City of Golden Valley (Appendix B).
Signage and graphics currently established throughout the city are good examples of
what should be implemented (Appendix G). In order to engage a wide range of
people in diverse demographic groups, the city’s graphic designer would be needed to
create visually appealing signage with easily understood content. Depending on
available resources, additional funding might be required to implement this
recommendation. The City of Golden Valley can look into applying for grants to
cover additional costs (Appendix H).
Inclusion of before and after photos to current signage has proven effective in other
communities. Utilizing this method is an easy way for people to clearly differentiate
between a healthy (right) and unhealthy (left) stormwater pond (Figure 3). Sign
information could include the function of stormwater ponds and their benefits, what
residents can do to help, how they can get involved, and who is currently monitoring
the ponds, etc. The signage could also include information that clarifies how a
stormwater pond helps to achieve community and regional benefits, such as helping
to preserve water quality and its quantity in controlled locations. By increasing the
prevalence of targeted and appealing pond-side signs, Golden Valley will not only
build a community with a more informed knowledge base but potentially shift public
behaviors to favoring the long-term health of these vital water resources as well.
Figure 3: Before and after on-site stormwater ponds.
Source: Tony Hawkins (2012). Located on Olson Memorial Highway and Winnetka Avenue (left) and on
Rhode Island Avenue and 10th Street (right).
19
Recommendation 2: Enrich local understanding of stormwater
management through educational brochures
As noted in the interviews we conducted, many citizens would like to know more
about the steps being pursued by the city with regard to water resource management,
but don’t know how to access the information. Creating an informative piece of
literature that is easy to understand and pleasing to the eye may be a useful resource.
Creating educational brochures that are first aesthetically appealing to the residents
and then offers information regarding stormwater management and water quality may
prove to be a helpful tool for public outreach (City of Lakeville 2012). These
brochures should catch the eye of the public by creating an aesthetically pleasing
design that is well structured, easy to read, and provides interesting yet beneficial
information to ensure citizens will utilize them. Also, the information included in the
brochure should be relevant to Golden Valley with local facts and characteristics of
local behavior that describes a clear message for the topic, along with characteristics
that are beneficial to the user including relevant programs and links they will be able
to use and exploit.
These brochures could be on display in the City Hall, at the Brookview Golf Course,
at informational buildings such as libraries, at schools, at public gatherings and
meetings, or at other relevant locations. Necessary steps would include
communicating with a graphic designer in order to design the brochures in an
aesthetically pleasing fashion. We have created a mock brochure as an example of
possible approaches (Figure 4). By creating educational brochures that are more
appealing to the general public, there is an increased chance the residents will
become more informed about stormwater management issues and initiatives. With
this increased knowledge the residents can implement best management practices on
their own and work as a community to ensure the health of the stormwater ponds.
Recommendation 3: Promote community involvement through
educational meetings
The City of Golden Valley could hold neighborhood environmental outreach
gatherings to allow citizens to ask questions and communicate with the City on their
own terms. By positioning these meetings as a social gathering this public outreach
approach would increase engagement amongst citizens in a comfortable, welcoming,
and informal space. Currently citizens are welcome to attend the monthly
Environmental Commission meetings at the City Hall building. However, the venue
and agenda may be viewed as intimidating and too formal to access, thus creating a
barrier between the City and its community members. Residents in the Highland Park
and Lino Lakes areas, for instance, were much more likely to attend neighborhood
group meetings than those hosted by an environmental committee at the city or
district level (Nelson 2012).
20
Figure 4: Mock stormwater management brochure
Source: Piper Donlin (2012).
These neighborhood meetings could be achieved through potlucks, barbeques or
simple get-togethers in any number of neighborhood parks, perhaps near stormwater
ponds as an added educational bonus. Holding environmental outreach meetings in
informal settings would likely make attendance more appealing to residents,
increasing the likelihood of communication between city officials and the public.
21
Increased communication allows for joint problem solving between the City of
Golden Valley and its residents, potentially leading to improved implementation of
stormwater management initiatives. If the city is unable to commit the time and/or
resources to host multiple neighborhood meetings, it may be wise to consider adding
an informal component onto existing city meetings to easily address the questions
and concerns of citizens in a comfortable environment.
Golden Valley could promote community involvement within a comfortable and
welcoming space by organizing environmental meetings in neighborhood parks or
community spaces. It is important for the city to encourage residents to participate
within stormwater management initiatives and to promote available opportunities in
order to ensure favorable community behaviors that will contribute to creating
healthier stormwater ponds and a thriving watershed.
Recommendation 4: Expand online media to include social media
Social media has become a valuable tool for many cities and government officials. It
is not only a means of communicating with a younger demographic, but also allows
cities to increase their transparency. Developing and maintaining social media outlets
that focus on Golden Valley’s environmental activities is also a way to increase
public participation and even strengthen residents’ commitment to the land and its
natural resources. Implementation is entirely feasible as well, with many surrounding
cities of a similar population size, such as New Hope and Crystal currently
maintaining an active presence on Facebook. Hiring a media intern, who could be
funded through a grant (Appendix I), could be a useful resource to help the city
develop an effective social media presence.
Currently, Golden Valley is not utilizing social media as a tool for outreach to the
community. Understandably, city officials are hesitant to make use of these informal
education channels with the concern that social media may attract unwanted attention
and inappropriate comments or posts on full public display, potentially placing the
city in a negative light.
To address Golden Valley’s concerns about bad publicity via social media the city
should create a policy to protect themselves from issues due to liability. This task
would require little work, as many other cities have similar policies that could be
adopted by Golden Valley. For a start, consider the example Facebook policy we
developed and adapted based on policies used by nearby cities (see Appendix I). It is
important to note that social media can be implemented as a resource for the city to
promote its services, events, and projects, not a space for discussion among citizens.
By stressing the importance of making this outlet into a resource to promote the
values and policies of the city and not a space for citizens to post their thoughts, it
decreases the risk of potential problems. In particular, Facebook has the capability of
limiting user visibility and input, hiding comments from everyone but Golden Valley
22
officials, or disabling them outright. As a promotional suggestion, it is possible to
increase Facebook followers and exposure to city-related happenings through the use
of prizes (free dinner at a local restaurant, discount at local business, etc), pictures,
trivia, or other easy, clever, and attractive methods. Utilizing social media as an
effective outreach tool would provide Golden Valley with an additional avenue to
reach their residents and educate them on critical issues such as stormwater
management and the health of their local watershed.
Recommendation 5: Use surveys to assess perceptions of stormwater
management and tailor programs for Golden Valley residents and
business owners
Gauging public perceptions of environmental management practices employed by the
city and the willingness of citizens to be involved in city projects as well as volunteer
opportunities may provide for more efficient and effective stormwater management
programs.
To increase the city’s understanding of citizens’ perspectives, Golden Valley could
utilize the survey questions provided in Appendix J. The first opportunity would be to
include one or more of these in the citywide survey to be distributed in 2013. These
questions would provide the city with valuable insight into the perceptions and
interests of residents as well as businesses within the community. With this
knowledge, a volunteer stormwater management program could be developed and
tailored to the specific needs and preferences of residents. Tailoring the volunteer
program to the preferences of the citizens could maximize participation within the
program and effectiveness of this outreach strategy. It is additionally important to
assess how citizens view the stormwater management program to ensure that it
remains adaptable, appealing, and engaging over time. By using surveys to gain the
resident’s viewpoint, the city is better able to adapt the outreach materials,
stormwater management program, and volunteer opportunities to fit the needs of the
citizens. Allowing for feedback from the residents is crucial if the City of Golden
Valley wants to effectively achieve a community involved stormwater management
plan.
Recommendation 6: Review the use of Adopt-a-Pond Programs by
other municipalities and design a program appropriate for Golden Valley
The use of Adopt-a-Pond programs in several communities in the Twin Cities
metropolitan area has successfully increased resident participation in citywide
stormwater management initiatives and created a sense of ownership among citizens
(City of Farmington 2012, City of Lakeville 2012). Golden Valley currently has an
Adopt-a-Park program that includes an estimated 30 parks (Appendix E). This
program is very successful and popular with community members as well as local
businesses. Building upon the success of and private interest in Golden Valley’s
23
Adopt-a-Park program, local businesses and organizations would be invited to adopt
ponds as a form of outreach (Hoeft 2012). Just like with the Adopt-a-Park program,
there will be a list of stormwater ponds for potential adoptees’ to choose from
(Appendix B). To assist in the development of an Adopt-a-Pond program, we have
created a checklist for the volunteers to use when they visit their adopted pond. This
checklist is vital for volunteers to know what to do during their site visits and why
they are doing them (Appendix K). For additional information on specific
recommendations regarding vegetation and pond monitoring, refer to Reports #1/7
and #2/7 in this series.
Other communities have found that a city staff member must have program oversight
in order to train, coordinate, and communicate with the volunteers. This person would
be tasked with providing basic knowledge to volunteers about stormwater ponds and
how to maintain them in healthy states, as well as, providing the necessary resources
including native plants for the buffer areas and the necessary materials for monitoring
the ponds. A possible challenge to implementing an effective Adopt-a-Pond program
is the lack of accountability and consistency with volunteer support. However,
utilizing the city’s volunteer coordinator would be an effective way to ensure that
volunteers are held accountable for their commitments. In addition, other
communities have found that giving citizens incentives to adopt a pond, such as
adding their names and a short profile onto signage next to the pond or profiling them
in the local newspaper or newsletter, can increase participation (Figure 5). Creating
an Adopt-a-Pond program promotes community involvement and allows for the
partnership between the city, its residents, and businesses. This partnership is critical
if the City of Golden Valley wants to effectively and successfully manage their
stormwater ponds to ensure the health of the city’s waterways.
24
Figure 5: Example of an Adopt-a-Pond sign.
Source: City of Farmington (n.d.). Adopt-a-Pond. Retrieved from website:
http://www.ci.farmington.mn.us/Departments/NaturalResource/AdoptAPond/Adopt_A_Pond.html
25
Conclusion
This report has emphasized the importance of creating a comprehensive stormwater
management plan through the integration of educational tools and outreach strategies.
By utilizing the effective educational and outreach tools provided in this report, such
as social media outlets, educational signage, and an Adopt-a-Pond Program, Golden
Valley can restore and preserve the health and vitality of the precious water resources
its residents value so highly. The City of Golden Valley can build and expand its
current efforts through volunteer opportunities that help citizens understand, protect,
and improve stormwater management practices through effective development of
multimedia outreach and educational materials. Golden Valley’s dedicated, engaged
citizenry and sincere volunteer efforts will serve as essential components of a strong
foundation for successful future stormwater management. We hope to have aided in
the creation of a proactive, cohesive, and flexible natural resource plan that supports
community engagement and advances the role of Golden Valley as a leader in
environmental management for generations to come.
References
City of Farmington. n.d.. Adopt-a-Pond. Retrieved from website:
http://www.ci.farmington.mn.us/Departments/NaturalResource/AdoptAPond/Ado
pt_A_Pond.html
City of Golden Valley. 2009. Golden Valley: Storm water pollution prevention
program. Retrieved from website:
http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/surfacewater/pdf/gv-swppp .pdf
City of Golden Valley. 2011. Report on Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program.
[PowerPoint Slides].
City of Golden Valley. 2012a. Ponding. Retrieved from
website:http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/surfacewater/ponding.php
City of Golden Valley. 2012b. Watershed Districts of Golden Valley. Retrieved from
Eric Eckman.
City of Golden Valley. 2012c. Current Land Use. Retrieved from
website:http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/about/landuse/index.php
City of Golden Valley. 2012d. Project Permit Applications, Forms, & Fees.
Retrieved fromwebsite:
http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/homeyard/projects/applications.php
City of Golden Valley. 2012e. CityNews Newsletter. Retrieved from website:
http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/news/publications/citynews/index.php
City of Golden Valley. 2012f. Water Features to Focus On. Retrieved from: Heather
Hegi
26
City of Golden Valley Public Works. 2008. Golden Valley Comprehensive Plan: Surface
Water. Retrieved from website:
http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/planning/comprehensiveplan/pdf/09-WaterSupply.pdf
City of Golden Valley Public Works. 2012a. Storm sewer system. Retrieved from
website: http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/watersewer/stormwater/index.php
City of Golden Valley Public Works. 2012b. Storm drain adoption programs.
Retrieved from website: http://www.goldenvalleymn.gov/surfacewater/storm-
drain-adoption.php
City of Lakeville. 2012. Adopt-a-Pond. Retrieved from website:
http://www.ci.lakeville.mn.us/environmental-resources-environmental-411/adopt-
a-pond-environmental-187
City of Lakeville (2012). Educational environmental brochures. Retrieved from
website: http://www.ci.lakeville.mn.us/environmental-resources-environmental-
411/educational-brochures
Decision Resources, Ltd. 2006. City of Golden Valley Residential Survey.
Unpublished. Retrieved from Cheryl Weiler.
Decision Resources, Ltd. 2007. Executive Summary City of Golden Valley Residential
Survey. Unpublished. Retrieved from Cheryl Weiler.
Eckman, K., and K. Consoer. 2012. Como neighborhood KAP study -- Community
clean-ups for water quality. Unpublished. Retrieved from Karlyn Eckman.
Golden Valley Patch (2012). About Us. Retrieved from website:
http://goldenvalley.patch.com/about
Hoeft, M. 2012, Sept. 13. [Personal Interview]. Client meeting, Golden Valley, MN.
Metropolitan Council. 2012. Community Profile for Golden Valley. Retrieved from
website: http://stats.metc.state.mn.us/profile/detail.aspx?c=02394924
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 2008. Minnesota stormwater manual.
Retrieved from website: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/view-
document.html?gid=8937
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 2012. MS4 annual report for 2011. Retrieved
from Eric Eckman.
Nelson, K.C., M. Dahmus, and A. Oftedahl. 2012. Urban yard case study.
Unpublished raw data, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Retrieved from
http://www.tchep.umn.edu/index.htm
Nerbonne, J., K. Byrd, F. Doherty, S. Fenster, and R. Schreiber. 2006. Building an
effective strategy to motivate change in environmentally positive behavior: A
Mississippi Watershed Management Organization study. Retrieved from website:
http://www.mwmo.org/2005%20HECUA%20Final%20Findings.pdf
Nerbonne, J.F., and R. Schreiber. 2005. Connecting knowledge, attitudes and
behaviors regarding urban water quality: A Mississippi Watershed Management
Organization study. Retrieved from website:
http://www.mwmo.org/2004%20HECUA%20Survey%20and%20Analysis.pdf
Northwest Community Television. 2012. About Us. Retrieved from website:
http://twelve.tv/default.aspx
27
Northwest Suburbs Cable Communications Commission. 2012. Government Access
Channel 16. Retrieved from website: http://www.nwsccc.org/channel16.aspx
Sun Post. 2012. Print Subscription. Retrieved from website:
http://post.mnsun.com/print-subscription/
US Department of Agriculture. 2012. Web Soil Survey. Retrieved from website:
http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm
US Environmental Protection Agency, 2003. After The Storm. Retrieved from
website: http://water.epa.gov/action/weatherchannel/stormwater.cfm
Weiler, C. 2012. Personal interview. Informational meeting, Golden Valley, MN.
28
Appendix A: Current Land Use in Golden Valley
Source: City of Golden Valley, (2012b). Current Land Use. Retrieved from: The Official Golden Valley
website.
29
Appendix B: Water Features to Focus On
Source: City of Golden Valley (2012e). Water Features to Focus On. Retrieved from: Heather Hegi.
30
Appendix C: Golden Valley Current Brochures
31
Appendix D: Publication Assessment Questions
•Does the publication provide educational material(s)? Yes/No
- If yes, was it explicit and clearly stated?
- If no, how could it be improved?
•Does the publication clearly depict the problem? Yes/No
•How do the publications describe the solution?
- Does the solution seem feasible?
- Are there suggestions for how citizens can become involved?
•Are the aesthetics appealing to the reader? (Are there pictures? Is it colorful? Is it
wordy?) Yes/No
- If no, what could be changed?
•Does it provide additional resources for the public?
- What type of resources?
•Are there clear examples of case studies?
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Appendix E: Volunteer Sites in the City of Golden Valley
Source: Volunteer Site Map (2012). Retrieved from Eric Eckman.
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Appendix F: Example of Golden Valley Storm Drains
Source: Tony Hawkins (2012). Located on the street adjacent to Medley Park in Golden Valley (top) and on
Rhode Island Ave and 10th Street (bottom).
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Appendix G: Example of Educational Signage
Source: Tony Hawkins (2012). Located at Basset Creek and in front of Golden Valley’s City Hall.
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Appendix H: List of Possible Future Grants
·Urban Waters Small Grants: http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding/
o General Information: program to fund research, studies, training, and
demonstration projects that will advance the restoration of urban waters by
improving water quality through activities that also support community
revitalization and other local priorities such as public health, social and
economic opportunities, general livability and environmental justice for
residents.
§Examples of projects eligible for funding include:
§Education and training for water quality improvement or green
infrastructure jobs
§Public education about ways to reduce water pollution
§Local water quality monitoring programs
§Engaging diverse stakeholders to develop local watershed
plans
§Innovative projects that promote local water quality and
community revitalization goals
o Level of Assistance: Typical award will be between $40,000 and $60,000
o Application Deadline: January 23rd, 2012
M CWP Implementation Grants: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/cwp-
319.html#rfp
"General Information: implementation projects will implement protection or
restoration activities, as best management practices, that are identified by a
comprehensive assessment and planning process in the watershed or around
the water body of concern. Such assessment must consist of an MPCA-
approved CWP or equivalent diagnostic study and implementation plan.
Implementation projects are eligible for both grant and/or loan funding.
"Level of Assistance: Grant recipient must provide a 50% matching
contribution (cash or in-kind services). $500,000 maximum grant funding
request.
"Application Deadline: December 30th, 2011
M Section 319 Developmental, Education, and Applied Research (DER) Grants:
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/cwp-319.html#rfp
"General Information: developmental, education or applied research projects
with statewide or regional applicability that demonstrate new or innovative
technology, new best management practices, or develop educational programs
related to reducing nonpoint source pollution. A research project must answer
a question related to the goal of reducing nonpoint source pollution. All DER
proposals must address at least one specific Milestone (Action Step) in the
Minnesota Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan.
"Level of Assistance: Maximum award amount of $300,000. Projects must be
funded with at least 45% local cash or in-kind match.
"Application Deadline: May 13th, 2011
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M Environmental Education Regional Grants:
http://www.epa.gov/education/grants/index.html
"General Information: program to increase public awareness and knowledge
about environmental issues and provide the skills that participants in its
funded projects need to make informed environmental decisions and take
responsible actions toward the environment.
"Level of Assistance: the maximum award amount is $216,000. Available
funding of approximately $2,160,000 for each of the ten EPA Regions. Cost
sharing requirement is 25% non-federal matching funds.
"Application Deadline: November 21st, 2012
M Native Plant Conservation Initiative:
http://www.nfwf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Charter_Programs_List&
"General Information: program that funds multi-stakeholder projects that focus
on the conservation of native plants and pollinators under any of the following
6 focal areas: conservation, education, restoration, research, sustainability,
and data linkages. 2011 Areas of interest include:
#1) projects on National Wildlife Refuges and projects on private or
public lands that directly benefit the conservation of FWS trust species
#2) projects on Bureau of Land Management lands
#3) projects on Forest Service lands, or for projects on non-Forest
Service lands that directly benefit the Forest Service mission.
"Level of Assistance: Approximately $450,000 available in 2011. Awards
typically between $15,000 and $75,000.
"Application Deadline: May 25th, 2012
M Five Star Restoration Matching Grants Program:
http://www.nfwf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Charter_Programs_List&T
"General Information: the Foundation awards matching grants under their
Keystone Initiatives (conservation of birds, fish, marine and coastal lands, and
wildlife and habitat) to achieve measurable outcomes in the conservation of
fish, wildlife, plants and the habitats on which they depend.
"Level of Assistance: grant awards from $10,000 to $40,000. Projects with 1:1
matching funding are more competitive.
"Application Deadline: February 15th, 2012
M Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program:
http://www.epa.gov/care/index.htm
"General Information: CARE is a unique community-based, community-
driven, multimedia demonstration program designed to help communities
understand and reduce risks due to toxic pollutants and environmental
concerns from all sources. The CARE grant program works with the eligible
entities to help their communities form collaborative partnerships, develop an
understanding of the many local sources of risk from toxic pollutants and
environmental concerns, set priorities, and identify and carry out projects to
reduce risks through collaborative action at the local level.
"Level of Assistance: Level 1 (first time CARE grant recipients) grants will
range from $75,000 - $100,000
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"Application Deadline: March 22nd, 2011
M Environmental Justice Small Grants Program:
http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-smgrants.html
"General Information: Program is designed to provide funding for projects that
address local environmental and public health issues within an affected
community. It is a multi statute program designed to help communities
understand and address their exposure to multiple environmental harms and
risks. Eligible activities include those designed to educate, empower and
enable communities to understand the environmental and public health issues
and to identify ways to address these issues at the local level.
"Level of Assistance: Awards up to $25,000 each. $1 million available
nationally.
"Application Deadline: February 29th, 2012
M Minnesota GreenCorps Intern:
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/topics/preventing-waste-and-
pollution/sustainability/minnesota-greencorps/program-information.html
"General Information: Minnesota GreenCorps service positions are for 11
months: beginning in September and concluding in August the following year.
Full-time members must serve 1700 hours during this term, which equates to
around 40 hours a week, allowing for sick and vacation time. The members
are participating in the MN GreenCorps program in order to give back to their
communities and gain valuable skills and experience in the environmental
field. Host sites will often need to invest time in on-the-job training for the
members.
"Level of Assistance: an intern for 11 months.
"Application Deadline: Spring 2013
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Appendix I: Social Media Policy Modified for Golden Valley
Adapted from the Social Media Policy of Hopkins, MN
(http://www.hopkinsmn.com/site/social-media.php), the Facebook Disclaimer of Edina, MN
(http://www.facebook.com/edinamn/info), and the Social Media Use Policy of Bloomington,
MN
(http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/cityhall/dept/commserv/commun/social_media/sm_policy
.htm).
The City of Golden Valley uses social media, such as Facebook, as a means to provide one-
way communication with the public. However, the City of Golden Valley’s official website
will remain as the primary and predominant Internet presence for pertinent City information.
Although the City welcomes public comments for feedback, this Facebook page is not a
public forum.
The City reserves the right to remove forbidden comments that:
•contain vulgar language or photographs
•are personal attacks of any kind, either to City employees or members of the
public
•are potentially offensive to any portion of the page’s viewership
•are prejudiced or hurtful remarks made toward any person, organization, business,
or entity, including any ethnic, racial or religious group
•include sales/promotion of goods or services, or links to any other websites
•are off-topic
•advocate illegal activity
•promote services, products or political organizations
•infringe on copyrights or trademarks
Please note that comments expressed on the city’s social networking sites do not reflect the
opinions or positions of the City of Golden Valley, its employees or elected officials.
The City of Golden Valley has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information
provided on its Facebook page. However, several factors that are beyond the city's control
(including unauthorized modification of electronic data, transmission errors, browser
incompatibilities, or other aspects of electronic communication) can affect the quality of the
information displayed on this site. For that reason, the city does not guarantee the accuracy
of the information provided on its Facebook page and is not liable for reliance on this
information.
City of Golden Valley social media sites are subject to State of Minnesota public records
laws. Any content maintained in a social media format that is related to city business,
including a list of subscribers and postings, is a public record. The department maintaining
the site is responsible for responding completely and accurately to any public records request
for social media. Content related to city business shall be maintained in an accessible format
so that it can be produced upon request. Wherever possible, such sites shall indicate that any
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articles and content posted or submitted for posting are subject to public disclosure. Users
shall be notified that public disclosure requests must be directed to the relevant departmental
public disclosure officer.
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Appendix J: List of Possible Survey Questions
What qualities do you associate with healthy stormwater ponds?
•Clear water
•Vegetation surrounding the ponds (bufferstrips)
•Native species
•Wildlife (insects, waterfowl, fish, amphibians)
•All of the above
Using these qualities, how would you rate Golden Valley’s stormwater ponds?
•Excellent
•Good
•Fair
•Bad
•I don’t know
How would you rate Golden Valley’s educational materials?
•Excellent
•Good
•Fair
•Bad
•I don’t know
Do you feel that the educational materials are easy to access?
•Excellent
•Good
•Fair
•Bad
•I don’t know
How would you rate the current stormwater management programs?
•Excellent
•Good
•Fair
•Bad
•I don’t know
What media outlet do you utilize most often to get your stormwater management?
•Official Golden Valley website
•Other community website
•Brochures
•Television programming
•Bimonthly newsletter
•City meetings
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Which of the following activities would you be most willing to get involved with? Rank
these in order of most interest.
•An Adopt-a-Pond program
•The existing storm drain stenciling program
•Cleaning storm drains
•Hosting a neighborhood meeting to educate residents on the importance of
stormwater management
What type of information would you like to know more about stormwater management?
Check all that apply.
•What comprises stormwater?
•Where does stormwater flow?
•How does stormwater affect my community?
•What is the city currently doing to manage stormwater?
•How can I become involved within stormwater management?
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Appendix K: Adopt-a-Pond Program Volunteer Checklist
M Remove invasive species
"By removing the invasive species, the volunteers are able to stop the spread of
exotic and unwanted vegetation across the state.
M Plant native vegetation
"By restoring the native vegetation, the stormwater pond is able to support the
animals and organisms living in the surrounding area.
M Remove garbage from the ponds
"Removing the litter from the ponds is important for the health of the pond and
aesthetics.
M Monitor water quality
"To ensure that the pond is functioning as a healthy water body the volunteers
can monitor the clarity of the water as it is directly associated with its water
quality.
M Create riparian areas and buffer strips
"Creating natural buffer strips along the edges of the stormwater ponds is
essential to reduce runoff, the infiltration of pollutants, and establish a natural
habitat.
M Install barley straw
"A city staff member would need to determine if barley straw is an appropriate
approach to managing the pond. By installing barley straw, it will minimize
the growth of blue-green algae.
M Install conservation signage
"This signage can be utilized for educational purposes and to promote
additional participation in the Adopt-a-Pond program.
*See Reports #1/7 & #2/7 in the series for specific recommendations regarding vegetation
and pond monitoring.
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