Fifty years after the passage of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) – and many successes later – a new EPA-funded grant will focus on sharing these accomplishments. NEIWPCC will collect and produce stories highlighting program achievements covering a diverse array of CWA Section 303(d): Impaired Waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) topics. The project is intended to inspire other programs, inform stakeholders and the public, and generate support for future work to advance clean water.

Girl wading in a river

NEIWPC will convene a workgroup of communications savvy professionals from the EPA, state, territorial, and tribal 303(d) programs to help identify and prioritize project topics. Stories may focus on achievements related to nutrients, bacteria, environmental justice, climate change, 303(d) list prioritization, alternative approaches, engagement and partnerships, and protection.

“I’m excited to collaborate with water resources professionals from across the country on this initiative,” said Courtney Botelho, NEIWPCC environmental analyst and project lead. “This project really plays to NEIWPCC’s strengths as a convenor and educator, and I’m looking forward to seeing the creative ways we can communicate Clean Water Act success stories.”

Each success story will be developed into a two-page downloadable document, describing the problem addressed, the strategies used, and the successful outcome. Additional communication products will be developed to reach a broader audience, including a themed, four-season podcast produced with Flip the Field; online multimedia such as StoryMaps and videos; and infographics or data visualization tools. The multi-pronged information campaign aims to reach a diverse audience of local, state, tribal, and federal government officials, 303(d) practitioners, and residents local to each feature story location.

Templates will be developed for select communications products to build capacity for 303(d) practitioners to effectively share their own clean water accomplishments. These will include a “how to” guide on best practices for content, layout, graphics, storytelling and more for the chosen communications product.

The forthcoming project website will house all communications materials developed and allow visitors to submit their story ideas. Sign up for our e-newsletter, Streamlined, and follow us on social media for project updates.

If you are interested in joining the workgroup, please contact Courtney Botelho.