2. Borough of Donora Public Involvement and Participation Program i
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction………………..………………………………………….………………………………………………..1
1.1 Goals..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1
1.2 Objectives……………………………………………………………………………………………………..2
2.0 Municipal Separate Storm Water Management Program………………..……………………….2
2.1 Background..…………………………………………………………………………………………………2
2.2 Regulations……………………………………………………………………………………………………3
3.0 Community Profile…..……………………………………………………………………………………………….3
3.1 Community Conditions………………………….……………………………………………………..3
4.0 Current and Past Outreach Efforts………………………………………….……………………….……….4
4.1 Existing Program Work………………………………………………………………………………….4
5.0 Public Involvement Planning…………………………………………………………………………..………..4
5.1 Targeted Audience .......…………..………………………………………………………………….4
5.2 Plan Implementation……….……………………………………………..…………………………….6
3. Borough of Donora Public Involvement and Participation Program 1
1.0 Introduction
The main purpose of this document is to identify a Public Involvement and Participation
Program (PIPP) tailor fit to the Borough of Donora’s needs. Through written planning and the
development and scheduling of programs designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants into
the storm water system, the PIPP will be completed. The activities identified within apply to the
entire permitted MS4 area. Donora is a semi-urbanized small community that was incorporated
in 1901 and is located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Donora has been known for
agriculture, coal mining, wire making, steel making, and other industries in the past. Donora
does not own or operate its own wastewater treatment plant but it does own a
combined/sanitary conveyance system and is responsible for the small separate storm water
system.
1.1 Goals
As a requirement of Minimum Control Measure (MCM) #2 for the National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Permit # PA136256 the goals are as follows:
Implement a participation plan targeted at the community of Donora using the
strategies and resources most likely to have an impact on storm water pollution at this
time:
o Adopt a tree box program
o A litter day clean-up program
o The trash recycling program
o Community gardens efforts
o Stenciling program
o Street sweeping efforts
o Catch basin cleaning efforts
Manage and start the required stenciling program
Apply for grant money to replace nonfunctioning catch basins
Placement of the MS4 paddlefish mascot specific to the habitat in the local
Monongahela River in five selected public areas along with various posters in locked
display cases scheduled to be changed seasonally. See illustration example below:
Placement of three electronic display monitors which will display MS4 themes along
with other informational videos about Borough events which will include public works
street sweeping efforts and catch basin cleaning schedules. Locations being considered
for the placement of the monitors are the entrance to the Council Chambers at the
Donora Borough Municipal Building Complex, the Lauerman Pavilion located within
Palmer Regional Park, and the concession stand located at the Baseball Annex
Recreational Ballfields Complex.
4. Borough of Donora Public Involvement and Participation Program 2
1.2 Objectives
Donora goals are to:
Create storm water awareness that reaches all residents living in the Borough through
the Adopt a Tree Box Program, Litter Day clean up, Recycling Program, Community
Garden efforts, and required Stenciling Program. All events will be posted on the
website (donoraboro.org) and advertised through the electronic monitors discussed
above.
Develop a publically recognized theme/symbol/mascot, the paddlefish, to be used on all
MS4 related information, programs or in association with MS4 groups.
Develop a storm water committee also represented by this symbol, that will be engaged
in green projects and be responsible for responding to reports of illegal activities
Stenciling and replacing nonfunctioning catch basins in order to change public behaviors
and eliminate water ponding on streets during rain events
Illustration of MS4 Mascot
Information lock boxes with glass enclosures will be placed under each fish displaying poster materials at chosen
locations around the Borough.
2.0 Municipal Separate Storm Water Management Program
2.1 Background
In 2014, the Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) was written and the final draft was
completed and submitted to DEP with the Annual Report. The SWMP is currently posted on the
Donora website. The Operation and Maintenance (O & M) Manual was also written in 2014 and
is used as a guide for documentation and training programs to coincide with MCM #6 Good
House Keeping.
On August 15th
the 2015 Progress Report was submitted to DEP with a revision to the SWMP
section MCM #1, a separate document called the Public Education and Outreach Program
(PEOP) was completed. This PIPP document also has its foundations in the SWMP but was
written in section MCM #2. Specific programs and groups have been identified and the
5. Borough of Donora Public Involvement and Participation Program 3
programs are now underway and reflected in this document. Each year this program will be
reevaluated and as the program evolves and changes the language will be updated herein.
2.2 Regulations
Storm water Ordinance # 1376 was adopted on February 15th
2015 and is posted on the Donora
web site.
3.0 Community Profile
Donora’s population has continued to decline since the late 1950’s when it reached its peak at
14,131 people. Between 1960 and 1970 it dropped 20.7 Percent from 11,131 to 8,825. More
recently Donora recorded 4,709 people according to the 2013 census estimate with an increase
to 4,819 people in 2014. This is a great place of opportunity for young people to get their start
by purchasing a home. The median home cost in Donora is $45,100. Home appreciation the last
year has increased 1.70 percent and compared to the rest of the country, Donora's cost of living
is 22 percent lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate in Donora is 4.90 percent
(U.S. avg. is 6.30 percent). Recent job growth is positive. Donora employment has increased by
1.44 percent in 2014. This information was collected from www.city-data.com.
Donora is located along the Monongahela River southwest of Pittsburgh, which is the site of a
lethal air pollution (smog) disaster that occurred in late October 1948. This event convinced the
scientific and medical communities, as well as the general public, that air pollution could kill
people and cause serious damage to their health. The disaster took place over the course of five
days. Weather conditions caused a temperature inversion and trapped cooler coal smoke and
pollution from a zinc smelter and steel mill beneath a layer of warm air over the river valley that
encompassed the Borough and the surrounding farmlands. Almost half of the area's residents
reported becoming ill and about two dozen deaths were attributed to the badly polluted air.
After the disaster, studies conducted by federal, state, and local government, as well as the
steel industry and private investigators, never identified the exact mix of pollutants that caused
the deaths and illnesses. Although it is believed that a thick blanket of sulfur oxides, and
carbon monoxide literally smothered the area. This is remembered as a significant event in
history that inspired the federal air pollution legislation in the 1960s and 1970s and contributed
indirectly to the establishment of the US EPA in the 1970’s. It also helped mobilize public
sentiment in favor of federal regulations rather than state and local jurisdiction regulations over
polluters.
3.1 Community Conditions
Today there are approximately 4,800 people living in Donora.
6. Borough of Donora Public Involvement and Participation Program 4
The US Crime Index in 2013 was 1477, and Pennsylvania’s Crime Index in 2013 was 1176 but, in
Donora it was only 677. The annual publication compiles volume and rate of crime offenses for
the nation, the states, and many cities and counties. It also includes arrest, clearance, and law
enforcement employee data. The information can be found on UCR Data Tool crime statistics
since 1985 and in some cases back to 1960.
Manufacturing, Construction, and Public Administration are the three most common industries
in Donora today. This information was collected from USA.com.
4.0 Current and Past Outreach Efforts
In the 2014 reporting year (the first reporting year) the PIPP involved opening lines of
communication and giving the public the opportunity to comment on the new storm water
ordinance. Donora took the approach that the first step of involvement is informing the general
public that Donora has a storm water ordinance to be followed and acted upon. The new Storm
Water Management Ordinance # 1376 was displayed for public comment on the website.
Initially town hall storm water meetings were scheduled on the same evening as the regular
public Council meetings to accommodate as much public comment and participation as
possible. These meeting are now scheduled to include two MS4 training sessions and
discussions following the meetings.
A litter cleanup day occurred and will continue; the trash recycling program is also part of past
efforts and continues today.
4.1 Existing Program Work
For current outreach efforts see 1.1 Goals and 1.2 Objectives.
5.0 Public Involvement Planning
5.1 Targeted Audience
Please see Table #1 beginning on the next page.
7. Borough of Donora Public Involvement and Participation Program 5
Table # 1 Targeted Audience
Planned Involvement
Projects
Topic Targeted Audience Audience Size
Annually
Adopt a Tree Program Green Infrastructure
storm water control
measure designed to
capture the first flush of
storm water and treat it
prior to discharge into
the sewer.
The general public will be
solicited to adopt a tree
box to aid public works
with maintaining the tree
boxes. Also this program
will attempt to aid in
funding more tree box
projects.
10,000
General maintenance of
the boxes, Borough
assistance with training
and direction for those
who adopt a tree box.
The general public,
Borough Management,
Administrators, Council,
and Donora Public Works
7 workers
Litter Day Clean UP Program Proper disposal of trash Sports teams, general
public/entertainment
visitors
3,000-4,000
Pet waste General
public/entertainment
visitors
3,000-4,000
Trash Recycling Program Advertise the recycling
program, pick up dates,
types of recycle to be
completed,
Borough personnel and
the general public
1,000
Proper disposal of trash
types such as glass and
plastic, and metals.
General
public and local
businesses
1,000
Community Gardens Efforts Proper application of
fertilizers, weed killers,
and Pesticides.
Library and schools 500
Green space awareness
and Proper application
of fertilizers and weed
killers.
General public 2,000
8. Borough of Donora Public Involvement and Participation Program 6
Planned Involvement
Projects
Topic Targeted Audience Audience Size
Annually
Stenciling Program The Paddlefish is going
to be Donora’s symbol
for stenciling.
Local College Students
A College student shall be
hired yearly to complete
the Stenciling
General Public
1 Annually
10,000
*Street Sweeping Program Schedule of sweeping
activities reminders
posted on the electronic
monitor(s) for
cooperation from the
general public to move
parked cars.
General Public 10,000
Street sweeping. Public Works 7 workers
*Catch Basin Cleaning Program Schedule of cleaning
activities reminders
posted on the electronic
monitor(s) for
cooperation from the
general public to move
parked cars.
General public 10,000
Catch Basin Cleaning. Public Works 7 workers
* This activity is also a requirement of BMP #6 Good House Keeping.
5.2 Plan Implementation
The Community Garden Program is seasonal beginning in spring and terminating at summer’s
end. The Donora Public Library oversees the current community garden. Also, the Borough is
entering into a joint partnership with Penn State University to submit an LSA grant request this
year to create a "Master Gardener" community garden located on State Route 837 at the
intersection of Second Street and McKean Avenue in the Borough. The Master Gardener
community garden will feature elevated vegetable planter boxes, a composting bin, an
instructional area for lectures by Penn State’s Agricultural Department, and a rain garden for
capturing storm water that runs down Second Street which is very steep and extends to the top
of the hill. Everyone is welcome to participate and it will provide the financially challenged and
the elderly with the opportunity to have fresh vegetables.
9. Borough of Donora Public Involvement and Participation Program 7
Street Sweeping is completed by the Borough's Street Commissioner. Fridays are the normal
street sweeping days; weather permitting. Additionally, Robindale Energy, a coal trucking
company, runs their private street sweeping truck on a daily basis from Monday through Friday.
They are required by the DEP to do so because of the coal dust that is deposited on the streets
of Donora. They operate their street sweeping truck from the South entrance of Donora on
Galiffa Drive all the way to the North entrance of Donora at the Palmer Park entrance on State
Route 837 and continuing to their coal yards located about a mile away on State Route 837 in
Carroll Township.
The Donora Catch Basin Cleanup Program is ongoing and will be complete systematically to
include cleaning of the problematic basins more frequently and the remainder of the basins on
a rotation schedule.
The Adopt a Planter Program is ongoing and participants will be solicited year round on the
Donora website and through the monitors that are being placed in popular public locations.
The Stenciling Program should begin in late September. The Borough will use its college intern
to stencil approximately 25 catch basins per day. Our intern will also photograph each catch
basin with a meter stick lying alongside of it to both identify the type of catch basin and to also
denote the physical dimensions of each catch basin. Our intern will work every Tuesday and
Thursday until the end of October. The stenciling schedule is based on a certain number of
catch basins per day within designated "sewer grids" of the Borough which number 42 in all.
Litter Cleanup Days are planned on dates that correlate with community activities within the
Borough to ensure that the public has the maximum opportunity to participate in the public
cleanups. Since the public wants to attend these events, they are available to assist in the litter
cleanups. These cleanups have or will occur in 2015 as such:
A. Community Ethnic Days – Weekend of August 14, 15, and 16 of 2015 which included
food vendors, a 45 minute parade, games of chance, a petting zoo, and children rides. The
public was encouraged to take a garbage bag and assist in the cleanup of the downtown area
during and after the event.
B. Halloween Parade – Thursday, October 29, 2015 having a parade lineup starting at
5:00 PM and the parade commencing at 6:00 PM. All attendees will be encouraged to take a
garbage bag and pickup any litter after the parade. Cash prizes will be awarded to parade
participants which encourages them to participate in the parade and each participant will also
be given a garbage bag to cleanup any litter in the downtown area.
C. Five Kilometer Smog Event Commemorative Run – A Saturday, October 31, 2015 5k
run and a 10k skating event which start at 9:00 AM. This is the annual event which generates
funds for the operating expenses of the Donora Smog Museum. Runners are registered from
the surrounding tri-state area and number in the hundreds. Over a thousand people attend the
morning event. Again, attendees will be encouraged to take a garbage bag and cleanup any
litter in the industrial park area where the race is held.
10. Borough of Donora Public Involvement and Participation Program 8
D. Twinkle Bright Night Light Up – Scheduled for Friday, November 27, 2015 at 6:00 PM
to 8:00 PM which is the annual traditional day for the kickoff of the Christmas season in
Donora. Festivities include a Santa house with a live Santa, free horse drawn carriage rides, a
petting zoo, food vendors, a parade, lighting the 30 foot Christmas tree in the middle of town,
and treat bags for all children in attendance. Almost 700 people attended last year. As with the
other events, residents will be encouraged to take garbage bags and cleanup any litter.
Garbage and Recycling, Recyclables are picked up the third Friday of each month and recycling
is mandatory as per the Borough of Donora Ordinance # 1257 which was enacted on August 08,
1991. Garbage is picked up once on week days which vary based on the location within the
Borough. The recycling calendar is posted on the website.
This concludes the Public Involvement document for the Borough of Donora. Future updates
will follow as needed for reporting.
