Posting Signs

Description

The use of signs has long been recognized as a means for informing people. In this instance they were used to educate boaters on specific BMPs which they can use to help reduce nonpoint sources of pollution from marinas.

Implementation

The first task in this instance involved categorizing and compiling the material that needed to be conveyed into logical topics which would be appropriate for posting at different locations within the facility. Working to accomodate the different facilities needs we identified several consistent priority topics for signs including solid waste disposal tips, harmful materials or liquid disposal tips, and instructions for responding to spills and the operation of pumpout stations.

With the topics decided, the specific language was then developed (see Appendix H) and the production of the signs was contracted out to a local sign maker. Constructed of steel with vinyl backgrounds and lettering, once delivered the 36x24 inch signs were then posted in appropriate places. For example, Solid Waste Disposal signs were placed near all of the facilities dumpsters; and spill response instructions were placed next to the facility’s spill response equipment.

After completing the installation of the signs, this educational approach was then evaluated through the use of a survey which asked the marina customers: 1) if they had learned new waste BMPs through reading the signs; and 2) if they were now using the practices which they learned.

Evaluation

Cost: $105.00 per sign with minimal installation time.

Educational Value: In this instance educational value refers to the approaches ability to persuade the audience to use new BMPs. Through the survey we identified that the posting of signs ranked first among the customers choice for best method of informing them. Additionally, 72% of those who read the signs learned new practices, and of that 72%, 79% have since begun to use the BMPs which they learned.

Cost Effectiveness: In retrospect, the cost that was paid for the individual signs initially appears high when compared with the costs associated with distributing literature. But, when one recognizes that the literature distributed will usually only serve a one time benefit whereas the signs will continue to spread their messages to various individuals over the course of years, one can see that the overall approach of posting signs can become very cost effective. Especially if the initial cost for producing the needed signs can be reduced by producing them in-house or at cheaper rate then was experienced in this project.

Lessons Learned/Recommendations

• The posting of signs was ranked by boaters as the best method for informing them and also ranked second in terms of its effectiveness in getting boaters to use BMPs.
• Priority topics for the posting of educational signs include solid waste disposal, liquid waste disposal, pumpout station operation and spill response instructions
• Developing the specific language for such educational signs does not have to be difficult (see Appendix H of hard copy for the specific language).
• Although signs need to be durable legible and eye catching they do not necessarily have to cost hundreds of dollars. In many instances they can simply be improvised with some wood and a little paint.
• In order to be effective, signs need to be visible to all, even if that means making several copies of the same sign and posting it in different locations
• Make sure they are of a suitable size and post them in locations where they make sense.

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