Watershed Protection Outreach Plan

As of December 3, 2007

Overview

This recommended outreach plan is intended to raise public awareness and to guide San Mateo County’s public communications and engagement efforts to discuss possible actions to address the impact of human activities on the County’s watersheds.

The plan offers a broad strategy for communicating with the public and a targeted campaign for key audiences. The plan includes recommended communication techniques, a timeline and an outline with suggested roles, responsibilities and tasks for various County departments.

Timeline

The outreach process tentatively will begin with a presentation to the Planning Commission in January 2008. The conclusion of this process is tentatively scheduled for June or July 2008.

Informational document development

An informational document can provide a basic understanding of issues. It can also outline the impact of human activities on watersheds and demonstrate the need for possible action. This paper should clearly state the problem, current and future regulatory demands, penalties for failing to act and who might be impacted by new regulations. It could also include possible recommendations to address these problems.

Relevant departments are meeting to refine the problem statement and outreach process and to identify relevant department staff to present at outreach meetings.

The paper will be written so the average member of the public clearly understands the need for enhanced watershed protection. The paper should be from four to six notebook-size pages and include photographs and graphics that explain the problem. The document likely will be in a newsletter format that can be mailed or easily accessed on the County’s Web site.

Possible elements and questions to consider:

• Current legal/regulatory environment

• Expected legal/regulatory environment

• Review/survey of current local ordinances (both County and cities?)

• Baseline data and images

• Possible recommendations for action

The document could be used to launch the entire process. Work on this is ongoing.

Workshop model and agenda development

The primary mode of outreach to the public will be through workshops. While the informational document described above will provide some information, the workshops can provide an opportunity for public comment. Possible elements for an agenda could include:

1. Welcome remarks;

2. Overview and presentation of issues and concerns. This could be done by subject matter experts—possibly Planning or Public Works (this could be as site-specific as possible for each location).

3. Discussion of current and proposed state and federal regulations protecting watersheds,

4. Presentation of possible recommendations for action.

5. Public Input;

6. Discussion of what members of the public can do to protect watersheds;

7. Next Steps and Closing remarks.

PowerPoint presentation, website development and other meeting materials

While an informational document would be a good tool to frame the issue and present ideas, a PowerPoint presentation or other visual aids would be helpful during meetings.

A website could also be an effective tool for disseminating information and receiving input. The website could include:

• Meeting dates/times/locations

• Issue paper available for download

• Map of county with watershed specific data

• Possible recommendations for action

• List serve sign up for updates and meeting location announcements

• Comment/survey form

These materials should include photographs, maps, links to state and federal regulatory agencies and a “rich” passive information environment.

Initial broad outreach

In order to increase general public education, and to inform the public of the workshops, staff can generate broad media informational awareness through mechanisms like OpEds and other media. Other possible actions include direct mailers, emails, PenTV and other outreach efforts that both promote the workshops as well as highlight the problem.

Conduct outreach workshops

As noted above, workshops will be the primary mechanism for outreach to the public and to receive public input. Public workshops are proposed with the following groups:

• San Mateo County Planning Commission, Hall of Justice, Redwood City;

• Resource Conservation District, Half Moon Bay;

• Pescadero Municipal Advisory Council, Pescadero;

• City elected and other officials;

• Midcoast Community Council, Montara;

• Ladera Community Association (include Weekend Acres, Ladera Oaks Swim, Fitness and Tennis Club), Ladera;

• Cuesta La Honda Guild, La Honda;

• Agricultural Advisory Committee, Half Moon Bay;

• North County watershed (Broadmoor, Olympic Club, unincorporated Colma, Country Club Park, California Golf Club), place TBA;

• Mid-County watershed (San Mateo Highlands, Burlingame Hills, Baywood Park, Peninsula Golf and Country Club), place TBA;

• Final meeting (all stakeholders/public invited), Hall of Justice, Redwood City.

• Draft recommendations to Board Environmental Quality Committee;

• Proposal to full Board of Supervisors.