Citizen Advocate Handbook: A Guide to Successful Tree Advocacy in the Nation’s Capital

An award-winning handbook that tells the story of DC's long relationship with tree canopy.

Author: Casey Trees

Date published: 2014

Construction Site Runoff Control Minimum Control Measure

This fact sheet profiles minimum control measure #4, Construction Site Runoff Control.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2005

Developing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

EPA website with resources on developing effective Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans.

Author: US EPA

Date published: Ongoing

Getting in Step: Engaging and Involving Stakeholders in Your Watershed

Primer on how to effectively engage stakeholders in watershed restoration.

Author: Tetra Tech for US EPA

Date published: 2015

Homeowner Guide to Make Your Property Bay Friendly

Sample public education and outreach document.

Author: Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Date published: 2013

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Minimum Control Measure

This fact sheet profiles minimum control measure #3, Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2005

Measurable Goals Guidance for Phase II Small MS4s

Guidance document designed to help small municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) operators comply with permitting requirements, specifically the development of "measurable goals" by which pollution control m

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2016

National Menu of Best Practices (BMPs) for Stormwater

Menu of programmatic BMPs that Phase II MS4 regulated communities can use to achieve minimum control measures required under NPDES permits. Practices listed in the menu are representative, not exhaustive.

Author: US EPA

Date published: Ongoing

National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) website

Provides background technical and regulatory information about the federal NPDES stormwater program.

Author: US EPA

Date published: Ongoing

Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox

This toolbox contains a wealth of resources for public agencies and other organizations seeking to educate the public about stormwater pollution.

Author: US Environmental Protection Agency

Date published: Ongoing

Phase II Storm Water Management Program Public Education and Participation Plan: Worksheets for Developing Your Plan

Provides guidance on development an effective Public Education and Participation Plan for a Phase II Stormwater Management Program.  Includes sample worksheets.

Author: Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Date published: Undated

Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Minimum Control Measure

Profiles minimum control measure #6, Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2005

Post-Construction Runoff Control Minimum Control Measure

Profiles minimum control measure #5, Post-Construction Stormwater Management.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2005

Public Education and Outreach Minimum Control Measure

Profiles minimum control measure #1, Public Education and Outreach.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2005

Public Participation/Involvement Minimum Control Measure

This fact sheet profiles minimum control measure #2, Public Involvement and Participation.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2005

Soak Up the Rain Customizable Outreach Tools

Customizable outreach tools such as business cards, banners, posters, etc. 

Author: EPA

Date published: Ongoing

Stormwater Discharges from Municipal Sources

This EPA website includes background information on the MS4 regulatory program as well as the six minimum control measures (MCMs).

Author: US EPA

Date published: Ongoing

Summary of State Post Construction Stormwater Standards

A full summary of each state's post construction standards for stormwater discharges from newly developed and redeveloped sites.  Many of these standards are applied to MS4s.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2016

The Clean Water Program Guidebook Series for Prince George's County Municipalities: Building Effective Local Public Education and Community Engagement Programs

This guidebook was written for those municipalities within Prince George's County that are required under the State general stormwater permit to incorporate public education, outreach, public involvement and participation into their local stormwater management programs.

Author: Prince George's County Department of the Environment

Date published: 2017

The Clean Water Program Guidebook Series for Prince George's County Municipalities: Understanding Roles and Responsibilities

This guidebook provides municipal program administrators and staff with practical information to help in the implementation of clean water actions.

Author: Prince George's County Department of the Environment

Date published: 2017

Be a Chesapeake Bay Retriever: Designing Effective Outreach Programs to Reduce Pet Waste

This report focuses on an education and outreach technique to reduce pet waste. Local efforts on pet waste pick-up can be one of the best opportunities to help meet MS4 permit conditions for public education and outreach and improve the health and safety of local waters.

Author: Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Date published: 2017

Building the Case for Green Infrastructure: Outreach and Education

Addresses community outreach strategies and lessons learned from two successful stormwater outreach and education programs: Save the Rain (Onondaga County, NY) and Stormwater Utility Education Pr

Author: US Environmental Protection Agency

Date published: 2016

Chesapeake Bay Midpoint Assessment Progress website

Shares information on progress toward implementing the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load, which was enacted in 2010 and applies to six states and the District of Columbia.

Author: US EPA Chesapeake Bay Program

Date published: Ongoing

Citizen Complaint Illicit Discharge Form

This form is intended for use by Pennsylvania MS4 communities to log and track public and employee complaints concerning illicit discharges.

Author: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Date published: Undated

Community Outreach Toolkit: Supporting the Reduction of Nutrient Pollution in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin

Provides a framework for developing effective communications materials, with chapters on developing key messages, developing press materials, preparing for outreach, pitching to the media, and measuring results.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2012

Compendium of MS4 Permitting Approaches Part 1: Six Minimum Control Measures

Illustrates the types of permit provisions for the six minimum controls measures of a stormwater management plan that may qualify as "clear, specific, and measurable" requirements under the final MS4 General Per

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2016

Compendium of MS4 Permitting Approaches Part 2: Post Construction Standards

Describes standards to control discharges from new development and redevelopment.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2016

Compendium of MS4 Permitting Approaches Part 3: Water Quality-Based Requirements

Discusses MS4 permits' water quality-based requirements for specific pollutant parameters that are consistent with approved TMDLs.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2016

Connect with Nature at Anacostia River

Two-minute video about stream cleanups in the Anacostia River watershed.

Author: The Nature Conservancy

Date published: Undated

Construction Site Reporting Form

This form can be used by MS4s to log and track complaints about construction-related stormwater issues.

Author: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Date published: Undated

Construction Sites Practices and Pollutants

Lists common construction site pollutants and which practices they are associated with.

Author: US EPA

Date published: Undated

Deriving Reliable Pollutant Removal Rates for Municipal Street Sweeping and Storm Drain Cleanout Programs in the Chesapeake Bay Basin

Provides information to support pollution removal efficiencies for street sweeping and storm drain cleanout practices for Phase I and II communities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Author: Center for Watershed Protection

Date published: 2008

Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide for Construction Sites

Guidance document for use by construction site operators to develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan in order to receive NPDES permit coverage for stormwater discharges.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2007

Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual

Provides technical guidance to all those engaged in preparation of Erosion and Sediment Control (E&S) Plans for earth disturbance activities within Pennsylvania.

Author: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Date published: 2012

Erosion and Sedimentation on Construction Sites

Describes the impacts of erosion on construction sites and ways it can be controlled.

Author: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Date published: 2000

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Municipal Stormwater Programs

Factsheet summarizing how to evaluate the effectiveness of municipal stormwater management programs.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2008

Fecal Indicator Bacteria Management

Elevated fecal indicator bacteria levels remain the most frequent cause of water quality impairment in streams, rivers, lakes, estuaries, beaches and drinking water supplies across the U.S.

Author: Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Date published: 2018

Federal and State Operated MS4s: Program Implementation

Discusses considerations for federal and state operators of regulated small MS4s as they develop and implement stormwater management programs.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2005

Funding Stormwater Programs

This fact sheet provides information on funding alternatives available for local stormwater management programs. 

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2008

Getting In Step: A Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns

Provides tips and tools for creating awareness, educating specific audiences, and motivating positive behavior change to improve water quality.

Author: Tetra Tech for US EPA

Date published: 2010

Guidelines for Maintaining Streams in Your Community

A simple guide to help residents, businesses, and municipal governments understand Pennsylvania regulations related to stream work.

Author: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Date published: 2017

Hotspot Site Investigation Worksheet

This worksheet can be used to identify and record hotspots for illicit discharges of pollutants into stormwater conveyance systems.

Author: US EPA

Date published: Undated

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination: A Guidance Manual for Program Development and Technical Assessments

Provides support and guidance for establishing Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) programs as well as procedures for investigating non-stormwater discharges into stormwater drainage systems.

Author: Center for Watershed Protection

Date published: 2004

Inappropriate Discharge Detection and Elimination: What Phase I Communities are Doing to Address the Problem

Looks at 24 Phase I MS4 communities representing various geographic and climatic regions in the US to learn what they are doing to detect and eliminate illicit discharges.

Author: Center for Watershed Protection

Date published: 2015

Incorporating Environmentally Sensitive Development into Municipal Stormwater Programs

Factsheet for local stormwater managers seeking to encourage or require low impact development practices to meet stormwater goals.

Author: EPA

Date published: 2008

Let's Be Stormwater Smart (PA)

An excellent model outreach tool, this short video introduces the problem of stormwater and shares how residents can be part of the solution.  

Author: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Date published: Undated

LID Strategies and Tools for NPDES Phase II Communities 

Shares ideas to assist stormwater Phase II communities in integrating low impact development (LID) strategies into their compliance programs. 

Author: Low Impact Development Center, US EPA

Date published: 2012

MCM #6: Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations

Models how to conduct an inventory of municipal facilities and activities and to develop a stormwater operations and maintenance (O&M) plan for each asset on the inventory.

Author: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Date published: Undated

Minimum Control Measures

Compendium of resources related to each Minimum Control Measure.

Author: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Date published: Ongoing

Model MS4 Map for Illicit Discharge Detection

A sample map that illustrates the detail necessary to meet the basic requirements of MCM #3 (Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination) as well as the advanced requirements for Pollutant Reduction Plans, TMDL

Author: Pennsylvania DEP

Date published: Undated

Monitoring to Demonstrate Environmental Results: Guidance to Develop Local Stormwater Monitoring Studies Using Six Example Study Designs

This manual presents six monitoring study designs that can be used by MS4 communities to assess their local stormwater programs.

Author: Center for Watershed Protection

Date published: 2008

Mr. Raindrop: Help Be a Solution to Water Pollution

A humorous 30-second public service video that follows a raindrop on its journey through a neighborhood and identifies causes of nutrient and sediment pollution.

Author: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Date published: 2015

MS4 Illicit Discharge Detection Checklist

This checklist is intended for use by Pennsylvania MS4 communities to ensure implementation of minimum control measure #3, illicit discharge detection and elimination.

Author: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Date published: Undated

MS4 Permit Improvement Guide

Guidance document that assists National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit writers in strengthening municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permits.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2010

MS4 Program Evaluation Guidance

Guidance document that assists state and NPDES permitting authority staff in assessing the compliance and effectiveness of Phase I and Phase II MS4 programs.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2007

One Drop: Why We Need Green Infrastructure

Two-minute animation illustrating the benefits of green infrastructure.

Author: American Rivers

Date published: 2012

Permitting and Reporting: The Process and Requirements

This factsheet overviews the permitting and reporting processes and requirements for the Stormwater Phase II Final Rule (including for all six minimum control measures).

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2005

Phase II MS4 Storm Water Management Program Minimum Control Measure: Public Involvement and Participation: Stream Clean-Up Event Planning Resources

A planning checklist for use by MS4s in conducting stream cleanup events.

Author: Unknown

Date published: Undated

Potential Pollutants on Construction Sites

Developed by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, this one-page document lists pollutants that may be found at construction sites.

Author: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Date published: Undated

Program Evaluation Worksheets

A set of program evaluation worksheets that may be used by stormwater managers to conduct onsite evaluations of stormwater program elements.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2007

RiverSmart Homes: Getting Smart about Runoff in Washington, DC

12-minute video that tells the success story of DC's award-winning RiverSmart Homes retrofit program.

Author: US Environmental Protection Agency

Date published: 2011

Safe Waters, Healthy Waters: A Guide for Citizen Groups on Bacteria Monitoring in Local Waterways 

Provides guidance for citizen groups to engage in water quality monitoring in order to detect discharges of untreated or partially treated sewage.

Author: Center for Watershed Protection

Date published: 2016

Sample Self Inspection Form for Stormwater Practices: Field Version

Adaptable templates that can be used in the field when inspecting stormwater practices, as required by EPA's Construction General Permit.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2012

Soil Facts: Using Baffles to Improve Sediment Basins

Describes the benefits of using baffles (sediment traps and basins) for erosion and sediment control.  Outlines different types of baffles and their uses.

Author: North Carolina Cooperative Extension

Date published: 2005

Solutions to Stormwater Pollution: Easy Things You Can Do Every Day to Protect Our Water

Sample factsheet developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to educate residents and businesses about how they can help protect water resources. 

Author: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Date published: Undated

Source Verification of Inappropriate Discharges to Storm Drainage Systems

Present and discusses various methodologies for investigating, identifying, and correcting illicit discharges into storm drain systems.

Author: Pitt, R. et al, University of Alabama

Date published: 2015

Stormwater Best Management Practice: Concrete Washout

Describes best practices for controlling the flow of concrete washout water at construction sites.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2012

Stormwater Phase II Final Rule

This factsheet describes the Stormwater Phase II Final Rule.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2005

Stormwater Phase II Final Rule: Small MS4 Stormwater Program Overview

This factsheet briefly overviews the Small MS4 Stormwater Program.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2005

Stormwater Phase II Final Rule: Urbanized Areas: Definition and Description

The Phase II Final Rule covers all small MS4s located within an "urbanized area."  This factsheet describes what constitutes an urbanized area.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2012

Stormwater Phase II Final Rule: Who's Covered? Designation and Waivers of Regulated Small MS4s

The Stormwater Phase II Final Rule applies to operators of regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), which are designated based on the criteria discussed in this factsheet.

Author: US EPA

Date published: 2012

Stormwater Pollution Benchmarking Tool

This stormwater benchmarking tool can be applied to existing individual industrial, municipal, federal, corporate or institutional facilities less than 50 acres in size within the Bay watershed.

Author: Chesapeake Stormwater Network

Date published: 2010

The Inside Scoop: How to Conduct a Pet Waste Outreach Campaign

This manual provides a step by step guide for designing and implementing a pet waste outreach campaign through explaining how to work with local partners to motivate dog owners/walkers to pick up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in an environmentally sound and safe way.

Author: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

Date published: 2007

The Spring Creek Stormwater Activity Book

A children's activity booklet designed to teach kids about water resources and stormwater pollution.  Includes illustrations, puzzles, and other activities.

Author: College, Ferguson, Harris, and Patton Townships; Penn State; and State College Borough

Date published: 2015

Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook

Outlines state minimum standards and specifications for erosion and sediment control.

Author: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Date published: 1992