| To: | Members & Subscribers |
| From: | National Office |
| Date: | October 22, 1997 |
| Re: | RA 97-25 |
EPA's Draft Strategy For Strengthening Nps Management
On October 14, EPA officially released the attached draft strategy
titled, "Nonpoint Sources: Picking Up the Pace ---
EPA's Draft Proposal Strategy for Strengthening Nonpoint Source
Management." The strategy presents an overall vision
that "all States and Tribes, with active assistance and participation
of all stakeholders, are implementing dynamic and effective nonpoint
source programs to achieve and maintain beneficial uses of water
by the year 2013."
The draft strategy was released at a two-day meeting of stakeholders
from leading state, federal, local and private sector groups at
Wye River Island, Maryland to promote the successful implementation
of nonpoint source programs. The meeting and the draft strategy
are both part of a recently initiated collaborative process by
EPA and the States to engage other watershed stakeholders interests
with the hope of improving nonpoint source control programs nationwide.
Highlights of some key programs and activities either ongoing
or proposed include: 1) development of nutrient water quality
standards; 2) strengthening EPA's anti-degradation policy; 3)
developing air deposition reduction strategies; 4) promotion of
State enforcement tools; 4) strengthening NPDES regulations for
animal waste discharges; 5) strengthening urban runoff controls
(through implementation of Stormwater Phase II program); and 6)
revision of regulations or guidance regarding State certification
for activities on Federal lands.
AMSA has been engaged in several of the programs and initiatives
which are discussed in the draft strategy, such as participation
in EPA's Stormwater Phase II Advisory Committee, and Total Maximum
Daily Loads Advisory Committee. Both AMSA's Watershed Workgroup
and Legislative Working Group on Watershed Management are reviewing
the drafts for additional opportunities for AMSA involvement or
influence. AMSA will also be assessing how the nonpoint source
strategy relates to a newly released clean water initiative from
the Office of the Vice President calling for "a comprehensive
approach to water quality at all levels of government" and
the call for development of an intra-agency Action Plan to address
protection of public health, prevention of polluted runoff, and
promotion of community-based watershed management (see Regulatory
Alert RA 97-24). If you have any questions, please contact
Mark Hoeke, AMSA 202/833-9106 or mhoeke@amsa-cleanwater.org
ATTACHMENT: Nonpoint Sources: Picking Up the Pace --- EPA's Draft
Proposal Strategy for Strengthening Nonpoint Source Management
(Please contact AMSA's National Office at 202/833-AMSA for a copy
of this document).
