Nonpoint Source Management Program Under the Clean Water Act/Perspectives from States: U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Hearing

The United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a January 8th hearing titled:

The Nonpoint Source Management Program Under the Clean Water Act: Perspectives from States (“Hearing”)

The Committee heard testimony from environmental agency representatives from Wyoming and Maryland.

• Jennifer Zygmunt, Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
• Ben Grumbles, Secretary of the Environment, Maryland Department of the Environment

Nonpoint source water pollution is a diffuse source that is difficult to measure and highly variable due to varying rain patterns and other climatic conditions. It does not come from a specific source but typically originates from various places or from a widespread area.

Nonpoint sources are not subject to Clean Water Act jurisdiction. Clean Water Act National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permitting requirements are only applicable to point sources. Nevertheless, nonpoint sources can be a significant contributor of certain pollutants to waterbodies.

Mr. Grumbles’ (Maryland Department of the Environment) prepared statement addresses issues such as:

• Maryland commitment to Chesapeake Bay restoration
• Challenges of addressing needed reduction in nonpoint source pollution
• Chesapeake restoration partnership (includes U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, District of Columbia) in addressing Chesapeake Bay TMDL
• Additional collaboration needed to address Chesapeake Bay registration
• Role of EPA
• Examples of success
• Improvements needed to enhance Chesapeake Bay restoration

Ms. Zygmunt's (Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality) prepared statement addresses issues such as:

• Regulatory Background
• Nonpoint Source Pollution and Wyoming
• The Wyoming Nonpoint Source Program
• Aspects of the Program that are Working Well
• Recommendations for Program Improvement
• WDEQ Contacts
• Other Wyoming Nonpoint Source Program Resources

Mr. Grumbles’ testimony can be downloaded here and Ms. Zygmunt’s here.