U.S.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $1,041,000 to the Montana
Department of Environmental Quality to help protect human health and the
environment through a Nonpoint Source Program Clean Water Act Section 319
grant. This grant is given to states to implement environmental programs that
address nonpoint source pollution in surface and ground water to meet and
maintain water quality standards.
“EPA is
partnering with MTDEQ to restore water quality by focusing on one of the
nation’s largest remaining causes of surface water impairment: contaminated
runoff from nonpoint sources,” said EPA Regional
Administrator Gregory Sopkin. “Water quality across the West is a
high priority and by working together on these projects, our impact is that
much greater.”
Nonpoint
sources of pollution continue to be recognized as the nation’s largest
remaining cause of surface water quality impairments. The effects of nonpoint
source pollution can be seen within the lakes, streams and rivers of Montana.
Common NPS pollutants include sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, metals,
pesticides, pathogens, petroleum products and salts.
Nonpoint
source pollution encompasses a wide range of sources that are not subject to
federal or often state regulation. These sources include agricultural runoff,
unpermitted urban runoff, abandoned mine drainage, failing onsite disposal
systems and pollution caused by changes to natural stream channels.
“This
funding allows DEQ to make important investments in projects, which will
improve water quality in Montana,” said MTDEQ Director Shaun McGrath.
“Nonpoint source pollution is one of the most challenging issues facing Montana
waters. We are grateful to EPA for this funding, which the state will use for
locally-led projects, working together with our community partners, including
land owners, local watershed groups and conservation districts.”
Under this
program, a total of seven proposals were selected for funding that will restore
natural processes such as stream channel migration, floodplain connectivity and
native riparian revegetation. These projects will result in measurable
improvements in water quality.
The program
is based on principles that emphasize voluntary and incentive-based
participation. MTDEQ seeks to involve stakeholders through communication
cooperation and common goals.
This grant is one
part of EPA’s overall effort to ensure America’s waters are clean and safe.
This year, EPA is distributing more than $165 million in section 319 grants to
states, territories and tribes to reduce nonpoint runoff in urban and rural
settings, including efforts to reduce excess nutrients that can enter our
waters and cause public health and environmental challenges.
Over the last two
years, states restored over 80 waters and reduced over 17 million pounds of
nitrogen, nearly 4 million pounds of phosphorus and 3.5 million tons of excess
sediment through section 319 projects. The 319 grants received by Montana
complement thousands of additional dollars awarded to the state to carry out
multiple programs that protect water quality including wetlands protection, restoration
and water pollution control programs as well as $7.8 million in wastewater
infrastructure funding for Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund.
Congress
enacted Section 319 of the Clean Water Act in 1987, establishing a national
program to control nonpoint sources of water pollution. Through Section 319,
the EPA provides states, territories and tribes with guidance and grant funding
to implement their nonpoint source programs and to support local watershed
projects to improve water quality. Hundreds of additional projects are underway
across the country.
To learn more about successful nonpoint source projects, visit epa.gov/nps/nonpoint-source-success-stories.
