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Gulf Guardian Award Winners 2007
Youth/Education Category - 3rd Place
| Company: | Marker Madness |  Click on the picture to view a larger size. |
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| Project Name: | Mississippi Department of Marine Resources | ||
| Location: | Biloxi, Mississippi | ||
| Category: | Youth/Education |
Marker Madness “No Dumping Drains to Gulf” the first regional stormdrain marker project builds on the MS Stormwater Management Toolbox, a guidance tool created by the MS Department of Marine Resources (MDMR), Comprehensive Resource Management Program(CRMP) to assist the three coastal counties of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson and cities of Bay St Louis, Waveland, Biloxi, D’Iberville, Gulfport, Long Beach, Pass Christian, Gautier, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula and Moss Point under EPA mandate to develop and implement programs to manage stormwater runoff and address non-point source pollution. In March 2005 mandated jurisdictions marked stormdrains and celebrated support by state and federal agencies.
Marker Madness was the voluntary follow-on project designed to address the pollution issues. Marker Madness launched on March 1, 2005 was the only regional stormdrain marking operation to exist on the MS Gulf Coast. March 16, 2005 J. L. Scott Marine Education Center opened its doors for the end of project festival. The purpose of the program was to mark stormdrains across the coast with a clear and concise message: No Dumping Drains to Gulf. This helps protect the estuaries, rivers and bays and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The program provided value to the coastal cities/counties, fulfilled minimum measures, and involved citizens in a regional stewardship program that was educational and fun. Stormdrains in each of the coastal Phase II jurisdictions were marked with a standard, uniform marker, with a neat public appearance and applied in an environmentally friendly way.
