Laws and Programs 



1.2 RFOIITREMENTS OF THE WATFR OIJA TITY ACT OF 1987: 

 niRRF.NT STATE INITIATIVES 



The Office of Environmental Coordination (OEC) within DEM is responsible for 

 preparation of the state's Non-point Source Management Program, using federal funds 

 made available by die Water Quality Act of 1987. The Office of Environmental 

 Coordination is preparing a Non-point Source Assessment Report and Management Plan, 

 and will coordinate continued non-point source related activities and responsibilities. In 

 these efforts, OEC is coordinating with other DEM divisions, and with the Division of 

 Planning, die Coastal Resources Management Council, the Narragansett Bay Project, and 

 the US Soil Conservation Service. A non-point source advisory committee, composed of 

 representatives of the participatiing agencies and selected citizens' watershed and 

 environmental organizations is being established to facilitate coordination and 

 communication (DEM, 1987). 



The Non-point Source Assessment Report (completed April 1, 1988), and Rhode 

 Island's Draft Non-point Source Management Plan (completed August 3, 1988) identified 

 known surface waters and groundwaters impacted by non-point sources of pollution. The 

 Assessment Report categorized these waters as to whether current site-specific ambient data 

 can be applied to analysis ("monitored waters"), or otiier data will be used ("evaluated 

 waters"). To the extent possible, the assessment report also identified, on a watershed 

 basis, high quality waters threatened by non-point source pollution, based upon analysis of 

 water quality trends and/or land use activities. The report also identified the categories and 

 sub-categories of non-point sources, generally describing categories which are a source of 

 concern statewide. Although problems will hie characterized specifically as data analysis 

 proceeds, the Scituate Reservoir has already been designated as a high priority watershed. 



The categcxies of non-point source pollution which have been considered to represent 

 concerns justifying evaluation during the assessment include, at a minimum: 



1) Surface runoff from urbanized or urbanizing areas 



2) Individual Sewage Disposal Systems 



3) Soil erosion and sedimentation fiom construction sites, including highway projects 



4) Use of fertilizers and pesticides 



5) Road salt application and storage 



6) Agricultural and silvicultural/forestry activities 



7) Underground storage tanks 



(Of these, the present research effort omits consideration of silvicultural activities and 

 underground storage tanks, but considers, in addition, impacts associated with marinas.) 



In order to link non-point sources with potentially available controls, the assessment 

 report will describe the process by which best management practices will be selected and 

 will describe existing state and local programs having non-point source control authority. 

 Note: The term best management practice (BMP) means a practice, or combination of 

 practices, that is determined by a State (or designated areawide planning agency) after 

 problem assessment, examination of alternative practices, and appropriate pubUc 

 participation, to be the most effective, practicable (including technological, economic, and 

 institutional considerations) means of preventing or reducing the amount of pollution 

 generated by non-point sources to a level compatible with water quality goals. (40 CFR 

 Part 130) 



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