Engaging Schools in Retrofit BMPs

The Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD) is responsible for the protection and restoration of the water quality of 20 lakes and 5 creeks within its boundary. Permit and voluntary cost share programs serve to slowly redevelop the watershed to the benefit of these water bodies. However, additional projects are needed- not only to implement green infrastructure in areas that need extra restoration and protection, but also to foster new relationships between citizens and the RWMWD to rally together in a common goal to the benefit of their water resources. This effort results in projects, but also in the creation of future stewards of the watershed district that can help to carry on the RWMWD's mission, and promote its work. The RWMWD has identified schools as a primary target for stormwater management because of their large impervious surface areas with little or no stormwater treatment on site. During the last year and a half the District has inventoried and assessed its schools though a CWF Accelerated Implementation Fund grant to identify high priority sites where stormwater volume and pollution reduction projects can be most cost effective. Communication with principals, school district grounds staff and educators indicates that they have a strong interest in partnering with RWMWD to address water quality goals, but they do not have the budget to cover the costs of constructing BMPS. This project will offer grant funds to schools for BMP retrofit projects that will intercept, treat and infiltrate or filter runoff that will reduce total phosphorus (TP) and total suspended solids (TSS) loads to high priority areas water bodies within RWMWD. The goals of this project are to collaborate with and empower school districts, reduce barriers to the implementation of BMP projects and develop long-term partnerships to ensure that the Watershed District can continue to work with schools into the future to reduce stormwater run-off from their sites.