Table 4.5. — Steps in Approaching Action Plans 



Identify problem of concern — > Set objectives aimed at causes or 

 sources. 



Assess source control programs — > Improve programs through addi- 

 tional actions. 



Review laws and regulations affecting problem — > Enforce, modify, 

 propose new ones. 



Examine institutions — > Improve management. 



Review designated uses — > Revise to protect human health, water 

 and sediment quality, living resources, and other concerns. 



Consider universe of management activities — > Select highest rank- 

 ing activities. 



Develop action plans — > Set schedules; get commitments. 



Prepare a funding strategy — > Determine costs and funding sources. 



Implement — > Monitor, review, revise, refine, and redirect as neces- 

 sary. 



As stated above, some action plans may focus on management 

 areas such as water and sediment quality, living resources, land 

 use, water resources, population growth, public access, or gover- 

 nance. Others may address specific pollution problems and their 

 causes or sources. Each estuary may take a different approach, 

 yet still develop an action agenda that solves a similar problem. It 

 is best to consider, through "brainstorming," a myriad of ap- 

 proaches and actions. Also, consider any negative impacts one 

 approach might have on another resource. The bottom line, how- 

 ever, is mitigating the problem and restoring the estuary's health. 

 Table 4.5 outlines a general approach that may be used. 



To suggest an approach to improved water and sediment quality, 

 consider the full range of point and nonpoint source controls. Point 

 sources of pollution, which expel nutrients, toxics, suspended 

 solids, and microorganisms, usually are abated by limiting the 

 discharge under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Sys- 

 tem (NPDES) permit program. This program requires pretreating 

 effluents, upgrading treatment technology, reducing concentra- 

 tions of pollutants in the effluent, and properly maintaining and 

 operating all equipment at both municipal and industrial plants. 

 Improved management and enforcement of permit programs will 

 most likely be important for controlling point source loadings in an 

 estuary. 



Like point sources, nonpoint sources consist of nutrients, toxics, 

 sediments, and bacteria. Instead of being discharged from an 

 outflow pipe of an industrial or sewage treatment plant, however, 

 these pollutants run off the land. Nutrients and toxics usually come 

 from agricultural land and from urban streets. Sediment is eroded 

 from agricultural and urban sources and from construction sites. 

 Animal and human wastes contribute to high bacterial levels. In 

 addition, groundwater discharges may contain contaminants. 



Many management practices can be used to control nonpoint 

 sources of pollution. Referred to as best management practices, 

 they range from planting cover vegetation and forests to reducing 



Approaches to Action 



Controlling Point 

 and Nonpoint 

 Sources 



47 



