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Summar The fight against water pollution has evolved from one of lolly goals and publicly financed projects for controlling waste discharges to a search for cost- effective soiutions to the intractable problems of poliuted runoff. The search is being defined by the tension between a growing scientific understanding of the ecological and health consequences of various pollutants and political pressures for fewer - not more - regulations. Policy makers have responded to those pressures by relying on coliaborative efforts to implement BMPs - a "do what can be done" approach. For the most part, those BMPs look to prevention to keep streams clean - an approach that environmentalists favor because of its potential to protect beneficial uses and land-users prefer because it avoids costly treatment requirements. Prevention means rethinking land-use planning, by designing neighborhoods to reduce runoff and encourage foot traffic. Prevention also requires technological advances: electric cars, for example, will do more than clean up the air. And prevention relies heavily on education - to make sure that citizens understand how their actions determine the health of groundwater, streams, lakes and bays. BMPs are now being put fo the test. As time passes, it will become clear whether or nof best manage- ment practices are good enough to continually improve water quality as land uses intensify. WORKING TO (ONTROL NON POINT SOURCE POLLUTION These are some of the public agencies and private groups working to control non point pollution in California. State Water Resources Control Board - Estab- lishes state pollution~control strategies and hears appeals of actions taken by regional water boards, Regional Water Quality Control Boards - Set regional water quality sfandards, issue and enforce permits, implement non point source programs. u.s. Environmentaf Protection Agency - Over- sees state implementation of the Clean Water Act, including polluted runoff provisions. Local governmental agencies - Make land-use decisions affecting runoff and are required to implement stormwater control permits. California Department of Pesticfde Regufation - Monitors pesticide use and develops strate- gies for controlling contamination. California Department of Fish and Game - Issues permits for altering streambeds and enforces laws prohibiting pollution that harms fish and wildlife. U.S, Forest Service - Manages timber harvesfs on federal lands and works with state agen- cies to minimize impacts on streams. 10 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection - Regulates timber harvests on privately held land. U,S, Department of Agriculture - Works with growers to control soil erosion and to prevent pesticides, animal wastes and fertilizers from reaching streams. California Coastal Commission - Permits land uses within the coasfal zone and implements the federal Coastal Zone Management Act. Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association - Coordinates research and develops strategies for member agencies, which are responsibie for controlling polluted runoff into San Francisco Bay. Baykeepers - Several major waterways in the state, including San Francisco, Santa Monica and San Diego bays and the Defta. are patrolied by privately funded watchdogs who monitor for environmental law violations. Neighborhood Green Corps - Works with communities to build public awareness of how streams become polluted and develops programs that encourage better steward- ship.