Montana’s 2007 Nonpoint Source Management Plan Robert Ray MT Dept Environmental Quality

Presentation Overview Background on Nonpoint Source Plan Update Process Plan Overview Next Steps/Current Challenges

Nonpoint Source Pollution Yes there is a point to nonpoint source pollution – it is the largest contributor to impairment of state waters Of assessed state waters, nonpoint source pollution is implicated in 90% of the impaired river and stream miles, and 70% of the lakes, reservoir and wetland acre impairments Nonpoint source pollutants can impact aquatic life, recreation, drinking water uses, etc.

What is Nonpoint Source Pollution? Water pollution from diffuse sources Nonpoint source pollutants include sediment, nutrients, temperature, and metals Originates from a variety of land uses, over generally large areas, and is transported to streams, lakes, wetlands and ground water via precipitation, snowmelt and stormwater runoff and infiltration Also comes from direct erosion into surface water and aerial transportation (wind and rain)

Nonpoint Source Management Plan Required by Section 319 of Clean Water Act Montana’s Plan last updated in 2001 Montana’s Plan last updated in EPA Guidance requires five-year review and update Directs State’s activities and funding for addressing NPS problems CWA Section 319 provides approximately $2.5 million for State and local activities in 2007

NPS Plan Purpose Inform Montana citizens about causes and water quality effects of NPS pollution Inform Montana citizens about causes and water quality effects of NPS pollution Set priorities for controlling NPS pollution on a statewide basis Set priorities for controlling NPS pollution on a statewide basis Identify long-term strategies for restoring water quality affected by NPS pollution Identify long-term strategies for restoring water quality affected by NPS pollution Describe a set of focused, short–term actions (five-year action plan) for attaining statewide NPS pollution control program goals Describe a set of focused, short–term actions (five-year action plan) for attaining statewide NPS pollution control program goals

NPS Plan Update Process Began in 2005 with internal identification of needed changes Began in 2005 with internal identification of needed changes Worked with Montana Watershed Coordination Council’s Water Activities Work Group, which provided a public forum for 2001 Plan development Held series of discussions on the Plan in 2005, 2006 with Water Activities Work Group Section staff also contacted numerous agencies, interest groups and cooperators on specific topics for plan update Section staff also contacted numerous agencies, interest groups and cooperators on specific topics for plan update

NPS Plan update process Public comment period April 6 – May 6, 2007 Public comment period April 6 – May 6, 2007 Provided 3 presentations on draft plan during public comment period Provided 3 presentations on draft plan during public comment period Received 30 “formal” comment letters or s along with comments at presentations and several agencies and internal contacts Received 30 “formal” comment letters or s along with comments at presentations and several agencies and internal contacts

NPS Plan Overview – Highlights Reorganized Plan Reorganized Plan Provided Executive Summary Provided Executive Summary “Five-Year Action Plan Table” (including measurable outcomes) “Five-Year Action Plan Table” (including measurable outcomes) Long-term strategy based on resources and land uses Long-term strategy based on resources and land uses Much more information for public information and use Much more information for public information and use Separate section addressing NPS education and outreach Separate section addressing NPS education and outreach Ten appendices Ten appendices

NPS Plan Overview – Highlights (continued) Five-Year Actions grouped into resource, policy and education & outreach goals Have included Appendix with identified “Best Management Practices” for agriculture, forestry, urban, transportation land uses New ground-water quality strategy in Plan Focus on watershed-based planning and local implementation for impaired waters

NPS Plan – Next Steps Submit to EPA via Governor EPA approval (we hope) Issue 2008 “Call for Grant Applications” based on 2007 NPS Plan

Nonpoint Point Source Challenges Voluntary nature of program Declining funding when existing resources nowhere adequate (over $500,00 or 16% decrease in federal funding over last three years) Challenge of sustaining behavioral changes Getting people to care about doing things the “right way” (Best Management Practices)

WPCAC comments/questions? THANK YOU! For more information: contact Robert Ray or visit our website: wqinfo/nonpoint/NonpointSourceProgram

Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION MONTANA WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT Water Resources Inventory Nonpoint Source Problems and Causes Agriculture Forestry Diffuse Urban and Suburban Pollution Resource Extraction and Contaminated Sediment Hydrologic Modification Recreation Atmospheric Pollution MONTANA’S NPS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FRAMEWORK Montana’s Water Quality Management Process Water Quality Standards and Classification The 303(d) List and Water Quality Assessment The TMDL Process and Water Quality Planning Water Quality Restoration and TMDL Implementation DEQ Five Year Watershed Reviews and Adaptive Management Statewide Nonpoint Source Program Emphasis on Pollution Prevention.38

4.0 MONTANA’S NPS POLLUTION CONTROL STRATEGY Montana’s Nonpoint Source Goals and Objectives Water Resource-Specific Strategies Land Use-Specific Strategies Nonpoint Source Pollution Education and Outreach Strategy Interagency Coordination Nonpoint Source Enforceable Regulatory Programs Resources and Funding for Implementing Montana’s NPS Plan MONTANA’S NPS PRIORITIES AND ACTION PLAN Five-Year Action Plan and Priorities – MEASURING SUCCESS Water Quality Monitoring for Success Other Resource and Policy Measures of Success Education and Outreach Program Evaluation ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RESOURCES APPENDICES

Appendix A – Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection Appendix B – Ground-Water Quality Strategy for the Montana NPS Plan Appendix C – Cooperators and Programs Addressing NPS Pollution Appendix D – DEQ-MWCB Priority Site List Appendix E – Montana Natural Resource Funding Programs Appendix F – List of MT DEQ NPS projects Appendix G – 2006 Impaired Waters, Completed TMDL Summary, and Schedule Map Appendix H – EPA’s Nine Key NPS Plan Elements and “Crosswalk” to Montana NPS Plan Appendix I – Response to Public Comment Appendix J – Glossary and Acronym List

Resource Specific Five-Year Goals for the State’s NPS Plan Five-Year Goal Measurable Outcome Complete Water Quality Plans and necessary TMDLs Number of Water Quality Plans and pollutant/waterbody TMDLs completed Conduct water quality assessments state-wide Number of updated water quality assessments for state waters Review/update Integrated Water Quality Report (305(b)/303(d)) Updated Integrated Reports – 2008, 2010, 2012 Reference site monitoring and assessment Number of reference sites monitored and assessed Increase internal monitoring support for TMDL program Water quality monitoring data for development of TMDLs Assist watershed groups with watershed restoration plans Number of watershed groups with watershed restoration plans Implement restoration identified in TMDLs Number of restoration projects implemented Monitor restoration activities for effectiveness Monitoring SAPs, water quality monitoring, estimates of load reductions