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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth Communications Office
Mayor Roger J. Reinert
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information, please call 218-730-5309
DATE: 12/13/2023
SUBJECT: Regional Stormwater Protection Team announces contest to encourage public input
BY: Kelli Latuska, Public Information Officer

 

Regional Stormwater Protection Team announces contest to encourage public input

 

[DULUTH, MN] The Regional Stormwater Protection Team (RSPT) is announcing a contest to encourage the public to offer suggestions on how to protect area lakes and streams from stormwater runoff. Members of the public can be entered for a chance to win prizes from the RSPT by providing suggestions for how citizens and officials can better protect our lakes and streams from stormwater pollution. Participants who provide a new idea or suggestion will be entered into a drawing for one of four prizes. The more ideas a person shares, the more chances they have to win.

Prizes include anti-slip winter boots from Tortoise and the Hare, a microplastics filter, a gift certificate to buy native plants, and a pet waste scooper with bags. Details on how to submit suggestions and be entered in the raffle are available online at poopfairy.university/game. The deadline to enter is December 19.

“We are always looking for great ideas to protect our local water resources,” said Ryan Granlund, City of Duluth’s Utility Programs Coordinator. “We are hoping folks will help out by playing along and providing some fun suggestions.”

As an example, in a previous year, a citizen suggested adding educational messaging on local street sweepers. The St. Louis County Public Works sign shop was able to create decals to implement the idea.

RSPT works to increase awareness that runoff from yards and roads that flow via ditches or along the curb into storm sewers in Minnesota is not treated, nor does it go to a wastewater treatment plant. Instead, the runoff flows into nearby lakes and streams. This is why it’s important to keep the runoff clean.

The RSPT is made up of several cities and townships in the area plus Lake Superior College, University of Minnesota, and the St. Louis County and MnDOT highway departments. These “MS4s”, along with partner agencies and organizations, aim to educate the public on actions they can take to help keep pollution out of stormwater runoff and out of the watershed.

 

 

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