EPA's fiscal year 1991 budget included $51 million for grants to states to imple- ment nonpoint source pollu- tion control programs under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. This represented an increase of $11 million over fiscal year 1990. 319 Funding in Region 10 (FY 1990) #of %of Category Projects Funding Program Implementation 17 42 BMP - Development & Evaluation 10 18 Public Information & Education 7 19 Monitoring 3 8 Inventory 4 8 Nonpoint Source Pollution Controls 8 5 Among the projects initiated with 319 funds in Region 10: • Implementation of new statewide management strategies for prevention of groundwater contami- nation by agricultural chemicals in Idaho. • Design and implementation of cooperative monitoring, evaluation and research projects related to sediment, chemical application and temperature of aquatic resources on Washington's forest lands. • Improvement of riparian areas, control stormwater and educate and involve the public in water quality protection in several urban water- sheds in Oregon. For more information on the 319 Program, contact the NPS Program Coordinator... in Alaska Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Environmental Quality Water Quality Management Section PO Box O Juneau.AK 99611-1800 (907) 465-2653 in Idaho Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Division of Environmental Quality Water Quality Bureau 1410 North Hilton Boise, ID 83720 (208) 334-5867 in Oregon Oregon Department of Environmental Quality 811 SW Sixth Avenue Portland, OR 97204-1309 (503) 229-6893 in Washington Washington Department of Ecology Water Quality Program Mail Stop PV-11 Olympia,WA 98504-8711 (206) 438-7528 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Mail Stop WD-139 1200 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 1-800-424-4-EPA doc# EPA 910/9-91-044 Region 10 1 200 Sixth Avenue Seattle WA 981 01 Alaska Idaho Oregon Washington MASTER STRATEGIES For Clean Water The 319 Program mm „ 1 ------- Controlling nonpoint pollution is like playing a game of chess. It takes solid strategies, the right pieces and some good moves to win. The Strategy Federal policy first called for strategies to control "point" sources of water pollution— sewer pipes or industrial waste outlets— where a single discharge point could be identified and actions taken to reduce contamination of water. But with the passage of the federal Water Quality Act (WQA) of 1987, new strategies for controlling nonpoint sources of pollution were sought. Section 319 of the Water Quality Act autho- rizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to administer federal grants for developing and implementing control strategies. Each year, funds are made available to state and local govern- ment (including conservation districts, Indian tribes and non-profit groups) to assist in applying nonpoint source pollution controls. • What are nonpoint sources of pollution? Nonpoint sources are diverse, diffuse and often difficult to identify and control. Most stem from everyday human activities such as agriculture, silviculture and boating. Failing on-site sewage disposal systems, the improper use and disposal of pesticides and other common household chemicals, and erosion at construction sites— these are just a few of the activities that can generate significant amounts of nonpoint source pollution. The Pieces Like chess, nonpoint source pollution control relies on a few basic pieces, used singly and in combination, to win the game. Pieces used in the 319 Program are: • Public Awareness. Raising the level of public awareness about how nonpoint pollution affects water quality and people's daily lives. Providing information and tools to educate and inform people about the causes and seriousness of nonpoint pollution. • Successful Solutions. Sharing information with states and local governments about practical, feasible solutions to prevent or control nonpoint pollution now. • Financial Forces and Incentives. Helping examine the economic forces that drive the behaviors that cause nonpoint pollution problems. Offering financial incentives that encourage people to install pollution controls or change land use practices. • Regulatory Programs. Assisting states in taking advantage of federal regulatory programs. Working to improve the capability of states and local governments to develop their own regulatory solutions. • Good Science. Developing the "tools" states and local governments need to establish sound water quality-based programs for nonpoint pollu- tion control. The Moves Through the 319 program, states and local governments now design and implement nonpoint source control programs that are integrated with the source control programs of other states. States are encouraged to develop programs that build upon related programs such as Clean Lakes, Estuaries, Wetlands, Ground Water, Toxic Con- trols and State Revolving Funds and that comple- ment and increase the effectiveness of state and local pollution control programs already underway. EPA also encourages states to coordinate their programs with those of other federal agencies. For example, U.S. Department of Agriculture's pro- grams play an important role in the implementa- tion of best management practices to reduce nonpoint source pollution from agriculture. EPA's specific objectives in awarding 319 grants are to: • Support state activities that have the greatest potential of producing early, demonstrable water quality results • Award and manage funds in a manner that encourages and rewards effective performance • Assist in building the long-term capacity of states and local governments to address nonpoint source pollution problems • Encourage strong interagency coordina- tion and public involvement to create long-term program effectiveness "Through the 319 program, we've developed strategies for control/ing nonpoint source pollution. Now we must apply these strategies through watershed-specific non- point source pollution control projects. We must monitor the effectiveness of these projects in restoring and protect- ing water quality throughout the Region 10 states." Dana Rasmussen, Regional Administrator EPA, Region 10 ------- |