Non-point Source Pollution Partnership (319)

The ND Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) serves on the ND NPS Pollution Task Force along with representatives from other State and Federal natural resource agencies, commodity/producer groups, tribal councils, and private wildlife/natural resource organizations to provide input to the ND Department of Health (NDDH) in their administration of the non-point source program.  NPS pollution can be a variety of contaminants that are delivered to surface waters by way of runoff or leached into groundwater.  Some common sources of NPS pollution include agricultural lands, construction sites, and urban streets and parking lots.

Section 319 of the Clean Water Act defines the scope of the non-point source pollution management program of which NDDH is the state partner with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to manage the program in ND.  NDDH administers the section 319 funds appropriated by United States Congress through EPA to the states.  NDs 319 funds have been allocated to numerous locally sponsored projects which promote voluntary NPS pollution control.  The primary focus of the NPS funds has been agriculture to provide funds for implementing best management practices (BMPs) and implement information/educational activities.  Although the primary focus is agriculture, any local sponsor may apply for funding to reduce/prevent NPS pollution to the beneficial uses of the states water resources.

For additional information:

NDDH NPS pollution :
https://deq.nd.gov/publications/WQ/3_WM/NPS/Program/Final_NPSProgramMgmtPlan_2015-2020.pdf
 

EPA Polluted Runoff (Nonpoint Source Pollution) website:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/