Environmental Awareness
Environmental Management System
In 2004, the City of Newport News established an Environmental Management System (EMS) Program in the operational departments within the City. "The EMS concept ensures that City employees are aware that their day-to-day activities could impact the environment. Through general awareness and job specific standard operating procedure training each (employee) can learn how to minimize or eliminate environmental impacts associated with the performance of their work. ... (T)hree departments have EMS pilot programs underway. ... Parks, Recreation and Tourism use the EMS program at Leeward Marina and the Newport News Deer Run Golf Club Maintenance Facility. Public Works uses the EMS program to minimize environmental impacts and hazards associated with the operation of the sanitary sewer system. Public Utilities EMS program is designed to minimize environmental impacts at the Harwood’s Mill Water Treatment Facility.” (39)
Environmental scientists oversee the EMS Program, and the Departments of Public Works, Public Utilities and Parks, Recreation and Tourism have an environmental scientist on their staff's to oversee the pilot projects in their departments.
Local Public Educational Opportunities
The City's MS4 permit requires a public education program to raise awareness of water quality and storm water issues. This program consists of printed materials, an educational display, promotional items and presentations made to citizen groups. Brochure “Protecting Water Quality by Controlling Runoff -Yard Maintenance Tips for a Bay Friendly Landscape”, "Spring Yard Maintenance Tips to Protect Water Quality, Summer Yard Maintenance Tips to Protect Water Quality", "Recognizing Signs of Pollution", and "How to Pollute" were developed and distributed to residents. An Environmental Calendar was also prepared between 2000 and 2008.
The Department of Planning has prepared brochures titled “Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Informational Brochure” and “Shoreline Erosion Control."
Regional Educational Opportunities
The Regional Storm Water Management Committee, coordinated through the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, developed a program to increase public understanding of storm water issues and to urge citizens to modify behaviors that impact storm water quality. This group, known as HR STORM, is comprised of local government professionals and HRPDC staff. Their slogan is: “From the Home front to the Waterfront, Clean Waterways Begin with You”. They have developed informational and educational materials as well as an interactive computer game for all local school systems, Virginia Living Museum, Virginia Marine Science Museum, Nauticus, etc. and the general public on non-point source pollution issues.