VSMP-General-Permit - City of Hopewell, Virginia

Minimum Control Measure: Public Involvement/ParticipationSection II B.2.b.- Increased individual and group involvement in localwater quality improvement initiatives including the promotion of localrestoration and cleanup projects, programs, meetings and otheropportunities for public involvement.The City of Hopewell, specifically the Public Works Department and theDepartment of Parks and Recreation work closely with the Friends of theLower Appomattox River (FOLAR). A major force of FOLAR is WayneWalton, a Hopewell City Councilor. We provide labor, equipment, anddisposal of all items obtained during these cleanup events. There is atleast one event a year and usually more. All upcoming events areannounced at Council meetings and/or local media and usually coveredprior and post event, in the local newspaper. The group hasconcentrated their efforts to the Appomattox River from Petersburg toHopewell.Hopewell Public Works, in concert with the Clean City Commission,annually hold a week-long Fall and Spring Citywide Cleanup. Theseevents are approved, announced at Council meetings and advertised inthe local newspaper. Public Works also posts signs along Route 36 and atCity Hall with the dates of the upcoming events. As a result of holdingthese events during the same months (Fall event in October and Springevent in May) the public has grown accustom to the general timing of theevents and they are ready with accumulated debris. Some residents callthe Public Works Service Desk for the schedule. Our arrangement with theClean City Commission is that they will fund half the cost of each eventwith State Grant funding. During recent times the amount of Statefunding has decreased and Public Works has been taking on most, if notall of the financial burden for these Clean-up events. The Cleanupperiods are very popular with the public and something they look forwardto.These events allow the Public to dispose of debris at no cost; with oneexception, a minimal charge for Freon containing appliances. Theseevents may very well be responsible for eliminating illegal dumping inHopewell; as Hopewell does not have an illegal dumping problem.Schedule and Evaluation: Folar events are scheduled on an as-neededbasis and when volunteers are available to participate. City-wide cleanupevents typically take place in October and April.13