What is Nonpoint Source Pollution?
Nonpoint source pollution results from rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and even our underground sources of drinking water. Unlike pollution from direct sources, such as industrial plants, NPS pollution can come from many diffuse sources.
Potential sources of NPS Pollution include:
Excess fertilizers and chemicals from agricultural lands, residential, and urban areas
Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding streambanks
Bacteria and nutrients from livestock and animal wastes
Hydro-modification
The Arkansas Natural Resources Division (ANRD) is responsible for developing and implementing the state's Non-point Source (NPS) Pollution Management (319) Program. This program is a cooperative effort of many local, state, and federal agencies.
What is the NPS 319 Grant Program?
Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act provides federal funding through the Environmental Protection Agency to states to reduce and control NPS pollutants. ANRD’s Nonpoint Source Program accepts project proposals to select recipients for 319 grant funding. Projects may include the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), demonstrations of effective techniques, technical assistance, education, and monitoring.
In Arkansas, the NPS Program utilizes §319(h) funding for watershed management planning and technical assistance.
Nonpoint Source Pollution: The Problem
Industrial plants are not the biggest threat to water quality in Arkansas … Runoff is.
What is a watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that drains all the streams and rainfall to a common outlet1. It can also refer to a dividing ridge between drainage areas2. A watershed can be large or small, and it can span across different regions or countries. A watershed is important for managing water resources and protecting the environment. (Watershed Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster )
Why Fund Watershed Projects?
Watershed projects promote understanding of the full range of stressors in a watershed—physical, chemical, and biological—that may be affecting aquatic life and human health. When all significant sources and stressors are understood, the program and subsequent projects are better able to focus on those controls that are more likely to produce measurable improvements in ecosystem health.
Administratively, watershed projects are highly efficient. They encourage local and statewide cooperating entities to focus staff and financial resources on prioritized geographic locations and facilitate coordination of resources among interested parties. Also, they provide local agencies with an opportunity to take leadership roles in ecosystem protection. Individual watershed projects provide a statewide proving ground for innovative approaches as new models are developed and new watershed-level management approaches are tried.
NPS Benefits
Stabilization & Restoration
Watershed projects promote understanding of the full range of stressors in a watershed—physical, chemical, and biological—that may be affecting aquatic life and human health. When all significant sources and stressors are understood, the program and subsequent projects are better able to focus on those controls that are more likely to produce measurable improvements in ecosystem health.
Healthy stream banks and riparian zones reduce erosion, mitigate flooding, and improve water quality. Not to mention, restored stream banks enhance the beauty of our state, which fuels our thriving tourism industry.
Outreach & Education
Knowledge is the first step towards action.
Many of our projects have an outreach and education component, a crucial strategy to protecting water quality for all Arkansans. These projects not only reach the general public, but also decision-makers and managers that impact the landscape. This could include cities, agencies, design firms, and developers.
How this program helps Landowners
This project helps landowners reduce silt run off from their property by helping the landowner implement Best Management Practices (BMP) regarding livestock. Conservation planning and cost sharing of applied BMP's will result in the establishment of usable vegetative cover on the pastureland. These practices include cross fencing, livestock water lines and watering facilities, heavy use areas for feed and water stations, and spraying for unwanted pasture weeds and planting.
How does an applicant participate in this program and receive cost-share assistance?
The applicant must fill out the application forms and send them to the County Conservation District. The County Conservation District can reach out to NRD staff if there are any questions regarding the application process.
What happens after an applicant submits the project application forms?
The County Conservation District will send the forms for approval by NRD. If approved, the applicant can begin implementation immediately. Once the best management practice is complete, a final inspection is completed by the County Conservation District. The final inspection form is sent to NRD, and the applicant’s reimbursement will be mailed within 60 days.
How long does an applicant have to maintain the project after it’s completed?
All projects or practices constructed or installed under this program shall be properly maintained for the predetermined project life, usually determined by NRCS specifications. Project maintenance shall be the responsibility of the applicant. The County Conservation District and NRD reserve the right to make periodic inspections of the project or practice during the predetermined life of the project or practice.
What does a timeline look like for the Title X program?
August – September: County Conservation District completes a pre-proposal form and send it to NRD staff.
October – January: If the pre-proposal is accepted by NRD, the County Conservation District will work with NRD staff to write a 319 grant workplan that will last an approximate 3-year period.
January: a complete workplan is sent to NRD staff.
May: All workplans are submitted to EPA for approval.
May – July: EPA approval notice for workplans.
August – September: County Conservation District will be notified of workplan acceptance and federal funding.
October: Project will begin, and landowners can begin the application process
· Applicants will submit application forms.
· Once forms are approved by NRD, landowner can begin implementation.
· After implementation, County Conservation District staff will inspect and complete final inspection form.
·Final inspection form is sent to NRD and the applicant will be reimbursed within 60 days of sending in the form to NRD.
If you think you may fall within the watershed program, please stop by contacting our office at 870-425-3527, Extension 3.
Nonpoint source pollution results from rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and even our underground sources of drinking water. Unlike pollution from direct sources, such as industrial plants, NPS pollution can come from many diffuse sources.
Potential sources of NPS Pollution include:
Excess fertilizers and chemicals from agricultural lands, residential, and urban areas
Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding streambanks
Bacteria and nutrients from livestock and animal wastes
Hydro-modification
The Arkansas Natural Resources Division (ANRD) is responsible for developing and implementing the state's Non-point Source (NPS) Pollution Management (319) Program. This program is a cooperative effort of many local, state, and federal agencies.
What is the NPS 319 Grant Program?
Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act provides federal funding through the Environmental Protection Agency to states to reduce and control NPS pollutants. ANRD’s Nonpoint Source Program accepts project proposals to select recipients for 319 grant funding. Projects may include the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), demonstrations of effective techniques, technical assistance, education, and monitoring.
In Arkansas, the NPS Program utilizes §319(h) funding for watershed management planning and technical assistance.
Nonpoint Source Pollution: The Problem
Industrial plants are not the biggest threat to water quality in Arkansas … Runoff is.
What is a watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that drains all the streams and rainfall to a common outlet1. It can also refer to a dividing ridge between drainage areas2. A watershed can be large or small, and it can span across different regions or countries. A watershed is important for managing water resources and protecting the environment. (Watershed Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster )
Why Fund Watershed Projects?
Watershed projects promote understanding of the full range of stressors in a watershed—physical, chemical, and biological—that may be affecting aquatic life and human health. When all significant sources and stressors are understood, the program and subsequent projects are better able to focus on those controls that are more likely to produce measurable improvements in ecosystem health.
Administratively, watershed projects are highly efficient. They encourage local and statewide cooperating entities to focus staff and financial resources on prioritized geographic locations and facilitate coordination of resources among interested parties. Also, they provide local agencies with an opportunity to take leadership roles in ecosystem protection. Individual watershed projects provide a statewide proving ground for innovative approaches as new models are developed and new watershed-level management approaches are tried.
NPS Benefits
Stabilization & Restoration
Watershed projects promote understanding of the full range of stressors in a watershed—physical, chemical, and biological—that may be affecting aquatic life and human health. When all significant sources and stressors are understood, the program and subsequent projects are better able to focus on those controls that are more likely to produce measurable improvements in ecosystem health.
Healthy stream banks and riparian zones reduce erosion, mitigate flooding, and improve water quality. Not to mention, restored stream banks enhance the beauty of our state, which fuels our thriving tourism industry.
Outreach & Education
Knowledge is the first step towards action.
Many of our projects have an outreach and education component, a crucial strategy to protecting water quality for all Arkansans. These projects not only reach the general public, but also decision-makers and managers that impact the landscape. This could include cities, agencies, design firms, and developers.
How this program helps Landowners
This project helps landowners reduce silt run off from their property by helping the landowner implement Best Management Practices (BMP) regarding livestock. Conservation planning and cost sharing of applied BMP's will result in the establishment of usable vegetative cover on the pastureland. These practices include cross fencing, livestock water lines and watering facilities, heavy use areas for feed and water stations, and spraying for unwanted pasture weeds and planting.
How does an applicant participate in this program and receive cost-share assistance?
The applicant must fill out the application forms and send them to the County Conservation District. The County Conservation District can reach out to NRD staff if there are any questions regarding the application process.
What happens after an applicant submits the project application forms?
The County Conservation District will send the forms for approval by NRD. If approved, the applicant can begin implementation immediately. Once the best management practice is complete, a final inspection is completed by the County Conservation District. The final inspection form is sent to NRD, and the applicant’s reimbursement will be mailed within 60 days.
How long does an applicant have to maintain the project after it’s completed?
All projects or practices constructed or installed under this program shall be properly maintained for the predetermined project life, usually determined by NRCS specifications. Project maintenance shall be the responsibility of the applicant. The County Conservation District and NRD reserve the right to make periodic inspections of the project or practice during the predetermined life of the project or practice.
What does a timeline look like for the Title X program?
August – September: County Conservation District completes a pre-proposal form and send it to NRD staff.
October – January: If the pre-proposal is accepted by NRD, the County Conservation District will work with NRD staff to write a 319 grant workplan that will last an approximate 3-year period.
January: a complete workplan is sent to NRD staff.
May: All workplans are submitted to EPA for approval.
May – July: EPA approval notice for workplans.
August – September: County Conservation District will be notified of workplan acceptance and federal funding.
October: Project will begin, and landowners can begin the application process
· Applicants will submit application forms.
· Once forms are approved by NRD, landowner can begin implementation.
· After implementation, County Conservation District staff will inspect and complete final inspection form.
·Final inspection form is sent to NRD and the applicant will be reimbursed within 60 days of sending in the form to NRD.
If you think you may fall within the watershed program, please stop by contacting our office at 870-425-3527, Extension 3.
406 W. Wade Avenue, Suite 2
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