MONTEREY >> If you’ve ever seen “no trash” labels on local storm drains or anti-pesticide stickers in the gardening section at Home Depot, it’s likely they were put there by the Monterey Regional Stormwater Management Program.

The Program, also known as Monterey SEA, serves as a regional partner to the county to monitor and address water quality issues, specifically through stormwater runoff. Many areas within the county, including Point Lobos and Carmel, are heavily impacted by stormwater pollution.

“Many people don’t realize that water flowing down a storm drain often goes straight to the ocean without being treated,” said Pacific Grove’s Environmental Program Manager and Program Committee Member George Fuerst in a news release. “That’s why this work is important; it helps protect the places we love to visit and the wildlife that lives just offshore.”

The coastlines off of the Peninsula are designated as Areas of Special Biological Significance because of the various species that make up unique marine ecosystems. Everyday waste and pollution threatens the health of these ecosystems, which is why the Management Program aims to educate the public on the reality of stormwater runoff.

The program represents the cities of Carmel, Del Rey Oaks, Monterey, Seaside, Sand City and Pacific Grove. Founded in 2001, Monterey SEA works to meet the requirements for urban runoff, public health and the environmental quality of watersheds and beaches detailed within the Clean Water Act of 1972.

Monterey SEA is primarily funded through a combination of local municipal contributions, state and federal environmental grants and partnerships with regional agencies like Monterey One Water.

Based on different jurisdictions or areas, every part of the county has different outstanding pollutants and areas for improvement. In Carmel, there are typically high amounts of copper found in stormwater runoff while in the Pajaro watershed, there are higher levels of trash and excess nutrients from agricultural operations, according to Erica Parker, Monterey One Water administrative analyst.

In order to address issues specific to all of the jurisdictions, Monterey SEA runs a series of educational outreach programs to inform the public. These campaigns range from presentations in schools on sea otter health to tabling events.The program also recruits students from Cal State Monterey Bay for stormwater drain decaling. Volunteers go around the county and place stickers on drains to make it clear whatever goes into those drains goes straight into the ocean. Volunteers also go to places like Home Depot to put up stickers which list alternatives to pesticides that reduce the runoff from pesticides contaminants, said Parker.

Everyday activities including car washing, hosing down driveways and over-irrigating are common sources of stormwater pollution. Monterey SEA is encouraging the public to properly dispose of pet waste, cigarette butts, broken pipes and pool backwash — all common pollution sources.

“I think the biggest thing people aren’t aware of is that most storm drains go directly to the ocean or directly to a river watershed,” said Parker. “So anything that goes down that storm drain is going to go right into the area of special biological significance … when the sediment gets into the storm drain, it goes right out to the ocean and that has a very, very direct impact on the sensitive ecosystems that exist.”