Control Measure 1: Public Education & Outreach

Since 2007 Benton County staff has led and/or participated in various local and regional events to share information about stormwater, water quality, and the Benton County Stormwater Program. Check out our stormwater story map to learn more about stormwater features in Benton County: Benton MS4 NPDES.

Stormwater Program staff has learned that the best way to share this information is to get involved at annual events and share stormwater information! These events include:

Benton County Fair
Kids Day for Conservation
Watershed Tours
Community Meetings
Association Meetings
Council Meetings

Benton County staff has tracked participation and interest (current outreach and education events list), in order to improve the education and outreach effectiveness. In addition, county divisions and departments are working to make the community aware of the importance of stormwater quality and best management practices through:

General and specific facts on stormwater (see Resources section)
Consultation regarding stormwater management
Shared understanding of current local and state regulations for stormwater and water quality

These combined efforts are working together to improve awareness and encourage positive impacts to improve stormwater and water quality in Benton County.

Want to learn how you can help?

Take a look at these informational flyers to learn more about our Stormwater Program and the steps you can take at home to help keep our Stormwater pollutant-free! Click on the title of the flyer you would like to view to open it in a new tab - from here you can download and print the flyer to keep.

Resources

The following websites, documents, and other information was compiled to provide the public, private and public businesses/organizations, and others interested in additional stormwater resources. The following categories of helpful information were developed based on public comments from community meetings and other input during 2007-2012.

Interested in how the City of Corvallis deals with stormwater? Visit their webpage here: www.corvallisoregon.gov/publicworks/page/stormwater-program

Want to do more to reduce your fossil fuel dependence and reduce mercury levels in air pollution that falls to the ground? Consider riding Corvallis' FREE transit system! www.corvallisoregon.gov/cts

Looking for the next Household Hazardous Waste Event at Republic Services?

Maps

The following maps provide the stormwater program boundaries, facilities, and other important geographic information related to the Benton County Stormwater Program:

Stormwater Facilities and Best Management Practices

Neighborhoods outside the city limits currently have curb and gutter, catch basins, detention ponds, and other stormwater infrastructure. The following are helpful resources for maintaining these types of stormwater facilities.

Stormwater Manager's Resource Center – Comprehensive website that provides Maintenance Inspection Checklists, Best Management Practices, and many other resources.

Rain Gardens

Benton County has partnered with Oregon State University to construct and suppor long term monitoring of a large stormwater bioretention and treatment facility at the Benton County Avery Facility. More information and current data, results, and more located at: http://research.engr.oregonstate.edu/hydroinformatics/Avery

Benton County allows 'rain gardens' to capture rainwater and increase infiltration, to reduce surface water runoff during storm events.

Background Information

The US EPA Stormwater Web site provides comprehensive background information on the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System.

Trap the Grease in the Kitchen

Grease washed into the plumbing system through the kitchen sink can build up and block sewer pipes. See the Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies brochure for tips on how to prevent this.

Trap Grease In the Kitchen Brochure

Please visit the Benton County Public Works Department at 360 SW Avery Ave., Corvallis OR, 97333 for more information related to stormwater and water quality.