Febrary 2012 Meeting

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding their Monthly Meeting on February 9, 2012 from 9:00 to 11:30 am in the Woolley Room at the DTAV Community Center, University of Maine, Orono. Agenda Topics include:

• Welcome, Introductions, Approval of Minutes and Announcements
• Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Reports
• Establishing Dates, Times and Locations for March 7 & 8 Suitability for Development Grant-funded Project Meetings
• Opportunity to sponsor Tackling Urban Stormwater Event on March 19
• Consideration of BASWG Municipal Outreach/Survey of Need
• Review of FY 2012-2013 Annual Budget Draft
• Education and Outreach Committee
• Update on/discussion of materials and presentation changes
• Progress on planning lunch outreach session with business
• Special Topic: Septic Systems
• Sharing about outreach and education efforts and materials that work
• Discussion about community training
• Next Cycle Permit Planning with David Ladd, Maine DEP - Group discussion on potential changes to MCM 1 & 2
• Planning for March and April BASWG Meetings

December Meeting

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding their Monthly Meeting on December 8, 2011 from 9:00 to 11:30 am at the Room 107 B, Rangely Hall, Eastern Maine Community College. Draft Agenda topics include:

• Welcome, Introductions, Approval of Minutes & Announcements
• Pervious Pavement at Eastern Maine Community College
• Update from Education and Outreach Committee
• Special Discussion: Review of the "Hot List" with David Ladd, a group discussion of potential conflicts about new permit requirements
• Planning for January Meeting

November Meeting

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding their Monthly Meeting on November 10, 2011 from 9:00 to 11:30 am at the Bangor Waste Water Treatment Plant. Draft Agenda topics include:

• Welcome & Announcements
• Special Work Session: Interdepartmental and Council Communications
• Alternate Approaches - sharing about challenges, successes and ways of addressing different forms of government
• Overcoming the "But we've always done it this way" barrier
• 5 bullet points to share with councils
• Developing an advanced stormwater 101/multimedia presentation
• Meeting them where they meet (brainstorming access points)
• Road Salt in the Environment: Presentation by Steve Kahl, Sewall Co.
• Review of PY4 Requriments: Check-in on status of meeting requirements for this permit year
• Group Work: Indicators Discussion
• Suitability for Development Grant Process, LaMarr Clannon
• Optional Treatment Plant Tour Courtesy of the City of Bangor

October Meeting

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding their Monthly Meeting on October 13, 2011 from 9:00 to 11:30 am at the Hampden Town Office. Draft Agenda topics include:

• Welcome & Introductions
• BASWG Organizational Business
• BASWG PY3 Report Submitted on September 29, 2011
• Urban Stormwater Retrofit Workshop - October 25th, Jeff's Catering
• Watershed Manager's Round-table - November 15th, Hampden Town Office
• Engagement of MMA in municipal stormwater issues
• Other announcements
• Public Vehicle Washing Regional Discussion
• Special Guest, Hampden Fire Chief Reynolds, What has worked in Hampden
• Identification of MS4 challenges and obstacles, including discussion of public safety and public works vehicle washing, municipally-supported fundraising car washes, etc...
• Group brainstorming and problem solving
• Development of initial action plan
• Stormwater Utility Update
• Planning for November Meeting

September Meeting

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding their Monthly Meeting on September 8, 2011 from 9:00 to 11:30 am at the Milford Town Office. Draft Agenda topics include:

• Welcome and Introductions
• BASWG Organizational Business
• Financial commitment of in-kind support to WRRI grant
• Opportunity to co-host technical LID workshop (Allen)
• Announcements
• Salt Management Task Force Video Conference (9-12-11)
• Lower Penobscot Coalition Meeting (10-5-11@12 pm E.S.C.)
• Watershed Manager’s Roundtable (November)
• Other announcements
• BASWG Intercept Survey Report
• Progress on Developing a Stormwater Steward Mobile Application
• Stormwater Utility Update

Fairmount School Students Spray Paint the Streets

Bangor, ME— 4th and 5th graders at Fairmount School in Bangor are partnering with the Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Bangor Area Storm Water Group (BASWG) and the City of Bangor to spray paint a important message on the streets.

Sample storm drain stencil.

The students will visit the neighborhoods around the school in Bangor on June 15, 2011 to stencil, REDUCE YOUR USE OF LAWN CHEMICALS, DRAINS TO STREAM on pavement near storm drains to remind residents that stormwater flows unfiltered to Kenduskeag Stream. The stencil also depicts a Rubber Ducky, which has become the symbol of stormwater pollution since the original “Ducky Ad” aired on television in 2005. This year a new advertisement featuring the red duck promoted safer lawn care, by encouraging Mainer’s to cut back on lawn chemicals, mow higher and leave grass clippings. In addition to stenciling messages next to the storm drains, the students will be leaving door hangers at houses to educate residents abut the project and stormwater.

Stormwater is rain that does not soak into the ground, but rather flows over the surface of the ground into the nearest body of water. As the water travels, it collects pollution such as pesticides, fertilizers, yard clippings, pet waste, loose soil, gasoline and oil. Storm drains act like funnels, transporting the stormwater from our streets and driveways directly into local waterways.

Chris Brewer of the Penobscot County Soil & Water Conservation District explains that there are many things we can all do to reduce stormwater pollution: “We are encouraging home owners to reduce or eliminate the use of lawn pesticides and fertilizers, pick up their pet’s waste, keep their vehicles well-tuned, and plant vegetation over bare ground and around bodies of water. All of these things dramatically reduce the amount of pollution entering our waterways, and improve water quality.”

The BASWG is a comprised of seven municipalities and other entities, working together to meet to make the Bangor Area a better place to live and work. For more information on BASWG and many stormwater friendly homeowner tips visit our website at www.baswg.org

June Monthly Meeting

The Bangor Area Storm Water Group will be holding their Montly Meeting on June 9th from 9:00 to 11:30 at the Orono Town Office. The meetings of the BASWG are open to the public. To see a copy of the draft agenda click here.