Information Sources

Clean Lakes Program - Provides information about the quality of America's lakes and technical resources for management of lakes.

Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program (CNPCP) - The Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program (Section 6217) addresses nonpoint pollution problems in coastal waters. The 29 states and territories with approved Coastal Zone Management Programs are required to develop CNPCPs. In its program, a state or territory describes how it will implement NPS pollution controls through implementation of various management measures. Each state develops a 5 yr implementation plan and a 15 year program management strategy. A monitoring component is required to assess the progress in reducing pollutant loads and improving water quality.

Dredged Material Management Plans - Dredged material management plans are developed by Local Planning Groups (LPGs) to address sediment management in the context of watershed management. DMMPs take into account environmental, political, and economic considerations. They promote beneficial uses of dredged materials. Implementation of DMMP's is plan-specific.

Dredged Material Management Program - Local Planning Groups (LPGs) develop alternative plans that consider beneficial uses, mitigation of adverse effects, other planning efforts, implementation schedules, and costs/benefits. LPGs compare the economic and environmental effects of alternative plans. After consideration of the alternative plans and public comments, LPGs select a final DMMP.

Drinking Water and Ground Water Protection Programs - The Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) together with states, tribes, and its many partners, protects public health by ensuring safe drinking water, as directed by the Safe Drinking Water Act and by protecting ground water.

EPA Permit Compliance System (PCS) - EPA Permit Compliance System (PCS)

Great Lakes National Program - Run by USEPA's Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) and brings together Federal, state, tribal, local, and industry partners in an integrated, ecosystem approach to protect, maintain, and restore the chemical, biological, and physical integrity of the Great Lakes., The program monitors Lake ecosystem indicators manages and provides public access to Great Lakes data helps communities address contaminated sediments in their harbors supports local protection and habitat restoration promotes pollution prevention and provides assistance for community-based Remedial Action Plans for Areas of Concern and for Lakewide Management Plans. GLNPO provides financial assistance through grants, interagency agreements, and contracts.

Gulf of Mexico Program - Works with many partners from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to protect the 1.8 million-square-mile water area of the Gulf State and Tribal Programs. Being responsible for water and related issues across State, Federal, and international jurisdictions and boundaries, the EPA Gulf of Mexico Program must continue to develop and maintain a partnership with key stakeholders such as State and Federal agencies, local governments, academia, regional business and industry, and agricultural and environmental organizations.

National Estuary Program - EPA's National Estuary Program was established by Congress in 1987 to improve the quality of estuaries of national importance. Each National Estuary Program was charged with creating and implementing a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) that addresses all aspects of environmental protection for the estuary. The CCMP is based on a scientific characterization of the estuary, and is developed and approved by a broad-based coalition of stakeholders. A detailed environmental monitoring program plan must accompany a CCMP.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Control - Congress amended the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1987 to establish the section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program because it recognized the need for greater federal leadership to help focus State and local nonpoint source efforts. Access information about polluted runoff and exchange information about methods for reducing the effects of this environmental issue. The NPS program has identified 9 minimum elements that must be addressed in section 319-funded watershed plans for threatened or impaired waters.

Oil Spill Program - Provides information about the U.S. EPAs program for preventing, preparing for, and responding to oil spills that occur in and around inland waters of the United States.

Pollutant Load Allocation (Total Maximum Daily Loads) - Provides information on EPAs Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). TMDL development requires characterization of the watershed, usually guided by pollutant parameters. Stateside monitoring programs identify waters not meeting WQS. These waters are put on the section 303(d) list. TMDLs are required for these listed waters.

Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) - The goal of the SWQP is to ensure continued attainment of drinking water standards. Source water assessments must identify management options that reduce risk from existing and new potential sources of contamination.

Special Area Management Plans (SAMPs) - Special Area Management Plans (SAMPs) identify all or a subset of potential water resources impacts at the watershed scale (pollutants, habitat factors, development considerations, wildlife, etc.). SAMPs are usually initiated by Corps of Engineers. A SAMP is voluntary. MOUs may be entered between differing agencies or groups in the watershed. The SAMP must address evaluation of success in administrative goals, a monitoring plan for environmental results, and plan for adaptability.

Stormwater Phase II Program - Regulated entities must obtain coverage under an NPDES stormwater permit and implement stormwater pollution prevention plans or stormwater management programs that effectively reduce or prevent the discharge of pollutants into receiving waters. Phase II applies to communities of less than 100,000. There are 6 minimum control measures that must be included in the Phase II permit.

TMDL's - A TMDL specifies the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards. The allowable pollutant loadings are allocated among point and nonpoint pollutant sources. Implementation of TMDLs is done through other watershed efforts such as section 319 watershed plans, sourcewater protection plans, and NPDES permits.

Toxic Release Inventory - Is the source of information about toxic chemicals that are being used, manufactured, transported, or released into the environment. The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is a publicly available EPA database that contains information on toxic chemical releases and other waste management activities reported annually by certain covered industry groups as well as federal facilities.

Volunteer Monitoring Program - Addresses methods and tools to monitor, assess, and report on the health of America's water resources, and software and automated information systems to manage monitoring data.

Wastewater Management - The office of Wastewater Management (OWM) works in partnership with Environment Protection Agency (EPA) regions, states and tribes to regulate discharges into surface waters such as wetlands, lakes, rivers, estuaries, bays and oceans. Specific focal points include; discrete conveyances (also called point sources), including pipes, ditches, and sanitary or storm sewers. OWM is also home to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which provides funding for wastewater treatment systems, nonpoint source projects and estuary protection.

Water Quality Standards, Criteria, and Methods - Is responsible for developing sound, scientifically defensible standards, criteria, advisories, guidelines, limitations and standards guidelines for the Office of Water. You will use this information when set your goals and measurable targets/indicators for your watershed management plan.

Wetland Restoration - EPA works with states and tribes to develop state wetlands conservation plans (SWCPs). SWCPs improve government and private sector effectiveness and efficiency by identifying gaps in wetland protection programs and finding opportunities to make wetlands programs work better. Wetland programs may also support a wide range of non-regulatory activities that can help to protect and restore wetlands. A monitoring component is required to measure progress. The SWCP must include a process to amend agreements in the SWCP based on changing conditions and monitoring results.The Advanced Identification (ADID) process is used as a guide for development in a watershed or area or study where wetlands exist. ADIDs are conducted in cooperation with the COE and in consultation with states and tribes as part of the sec 404 permitting process. The ADID may be used as a preliminary indication of factors likely to be considered during review of a Section 404 permit application.

Wetlands Program - EPA encourages and enables others to act effectively in protecting and restoring the nations wetlands and associated ecosystems. EPA works with state and local organizations to develop State Wetland Conservation Plans (SWCPs), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop Special Area Management Plans (SAMPs).

Assessment and Watershed Protection Division (AWPD) Publications - List of publications related to non-point source pollution.

Directory of Watershed Resources

A searchable directory of federal, state, local, and private watershed funding sources available for development and implementation of watershed projects. It includes information on nationwide funding opportunities, as well as state and local information for Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

National Menu of Stormwater BMPs The National Menu of Best Management Practices for Stormwater Phase II was first released in October 2000. EPA has renamed, reorganized, updated, and enhanced the features of the website. These revisions include the addition of new fact sheets and revisions of existing fact sheets. Because the field of stormwater is constantly changing, EPA expects to update this menu as new information and technologies become available.

National Management Measures to Protect and Restore Wetlands This guidance document is intended to provide technical assistance to State, local, and tribal program managers and others on the best available, economically achievable means of reducing nonpoint source pollution of surface and ground water through the protection and restoration of wetlands and riparian areas, as well as the implementation of vegetated treatment systems.

National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Areas This guidance helps citizens and municipalities in urban areas protect bodies of water from polluted runoff that can result from everyday activities. These scientifically sound techniques are the best practices known today. The guidance will also help states to implement their nonpoint source control programs and municipalities to implement their Phase II Storm Water Permit Programs.

National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Forestry This report helps forest owners protect lakes and streams from polluted runoff that can result from forestry activities. These scientifically sound techniques are the best practices known today. The report will also help states to implement their nonpoint source control programs. Note: The guidance is national in scope, so it does not address local or regional soils, climates, or forest types.

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