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Don't Miss StormCon - Marco Island - August 12-15 2002

 

 

 

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From the trenches

By Danielle Stern

 
Public Outreach Through the Web

The Brevard County, FL, Regional Stormwater Utility Department is pleased to announce that our Web site is up and running. The site has been months in the making, but it is now on-line at www.brevstorm.org.

The site was designed by an outside company but will be maintained and updated in-house. We chose to create the site using Dreamweaver 4 and Fireworks software because they are easy to use and compatible with most computer systems. Originally we looked at using FrontPage, but the graphics were not able to load correctly with our server. I recommend working closely with your information technology departments during this "construction" process, because the last thing you want to do is create something that does not work with your equipment.

The most important thing to remember while designing a Web page is who your target audience is. You want to make sure that the site is user-friendly. This means you should consider everything from how fast the site will load to how simplisticly the script is written. You want everyone to be able to understand and benefit from the information you are giving them.

Our Web site has eight sections that give people an overview of what the Regional Stormwater Utility is doing to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon and St. John's River. It also provides information on how to help preserve these valuable resources. Let's navigate quickly through the site and outline what you will find at www.brevstorm.org.

  • The "About Us" section introduces citizens to the Regional Stormwater Utility Department. It provides them with the basics of the stormwater utility, how the funds are used, and information about our partnerships with municipalities.
  • In the "Did you know?" section, visitors to the site are given "fun facts" about stormwater runoff, the Indian River Lagoon and St. John's River, and the valuable contributions both these waterways make to Brevard County.
  • The "Waterway Issues" section details the problem of stormwater runoff through colorful graphics and explains why, when untreated, this form of pollution is the number-one threat to our waterways.
  • The "Project Types" section touches on each kind of stormwater capital improvement project that our department constructs and explains how each one of them treats runoff. These include wet detention ponds, dry retention areas, and swales. We even have a baffle box that treats stormwater before your very eyes!
  • The "Completed Projects" and "Upcoming Projects" sections allow area residents to see what is going on in their district. Since all funds collected in a district are used only for capital improvement projects in that same district, this is a good opportunity to show citizens their stormwater utility fees at work. The pages provide descriptions and pictures of finished and future projects in areas requiring treatment.
  • In the "Get Involved" section, residents can get important tips on how to help reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff on the waterways. This part offers guidelines and alternatives to lawn care, fertilizers, pet care, pesticides, car care, and household hazardous wastes.
  • The "Public Outreach" section offers a variety of services for Brevard County citizens. The Regional Stormwater Utility offers to make presentations to homeowners and school groups, exhibit at environmental shows, and write articles for publications.

In the next nine months, we plan to expand the Web site by adding children's pages, a news section, and a technical data section. These pages will include educational materials directed toward children, students, and teachers; water-quality monitoring information; technical papers; press releases; and published articles. We will also be expanding the project sections with more comprehensive information, such as project benefits, status, and construction photos. The Web site will be an ongoing creative process, and we hope you will continue to log on to find out what is new with the Brevard County Regional Stormwater Utility.

Danielle Stern is the public education/outreach coordinator for the Brevard County (FL) Regional Stormwater Utility Department.

 

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