WSP12263

• File Number: 8272.500
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Colo Dept of Public Health - WQCC and WQCD
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 10/1/1990
• Author: WQCD
• Title: Colorado Nonpoint Source Management Program - Prepared to Fulfill the Requirements of Section 319 of the Clean Water Act
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Executive Summarv

The purpose of the Colorado Nonpoint source Management Program is to provide
an implementation strategy for the treatment of the water quality problems
previously identified in the Colorado Nonpoint Assessment Report. Nonpoint
sources are those which are diffuse in nature and are not regulated through
the permit program of the Clean Water Act. These sources are commonly
associated with: urban runoff, agriculture, forestry and logging, .
construction, hydrologic modification, and abandoned and/or inactive mines.
The primary pollutants normally associated with these activities are sediment,
salinity, heavy metals, nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) and bacteria.

The Colorado Nonpoint Source Management Program was prepared by the Water
Quality control Division of the Colorado Department of Health with the
assistance of the Colorado Nonpoint Source Task Force. It is intended to meet
the requirements as outlined by Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act.
The Task Force is comprised of a broadly constituted committee representing
governmental agencies, environmental groups, and special interest groups. The
Task Force served .as an advisory body and assisted in the collection of data
as well as the writing and editing of this report.

The concept which was present throughout the development of the management
program and is recommended in the management program is a voluntary approach
tononpoint source controls. The Task Force also believed that one essential
missing ingredient in nonpoint source control is education. Education should
occur in at least three phases. First, the public must become aware of the
extent of nonpoint source pollution and the results if nothing is done to
address the problem. Second, the public must be made aware of the best
management practices which are available to treat an identified source.
Third, the public must become aware of the possible sources of financial
assistance to install the needed best management practices. All the steps in
the education process can be emphasized through the use of demonstration
projects and education programs. With the proper education and planning, the
Nonpoint Source Task Force believes the public will proceed to implement this
management program on a voluntary basis. The following offers a brief summary
of the six chapters of the document.

Chapter I
INTRODUCTION

The Federal Clean Water Act of 1987 established a new direction for the water
quality efforts of Colorado and special emphasis was placed on nonpoint source
pollution. Section 319 of the Act stated a requirement that each state would
develop an assessment report and a management program prior to consideration
for federal grants. The asse,!sment was completed in April, 1988. '

section 319 outlined the various components of an acceptable management
program which are:

A. Best Management Practices (BMP's) will be identified. to reduce
pollutant loading from sources listed in the assessment report.

B. Programs to achieve implementation of the BMP's designated.

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