36 



a comprehensive and coordinated management strategy, much of 

 which is already in place but in many cases inadequately funded. 



In order to reduce complex and diverse nonpoint source pollution, 

 a commitment of time and resources is necessary, similar to the 20- 

 year commitment our country has made to eliminate point source 

 pollution. However, management of this problem will require a dif- 

 ferent approach than that of point source pollution because, unlike 

 point source pollution, nonpoint source pollution is primarily a 

 weather-related phenomenon that can be managed, but not feasibly 

 eliminated. Nonpoint source pollution is caused by the inadvertent 

 discharge of pollutants from a wide variety of society's most essen- 

 tial activities. 



The Clean Water Act is not alone in protecting America's waters 

 from nonpoint source pollution. Other ongoing programs at Fed- 

 eral, State, and local levels must be funded fully, and coordinated 

 with, not superseded by, the Clean Water Act. The reauthorized 

 Clean Water Act's central focus for nonpoint source management 

 solutions should be reasonable, voluntary, based on incentives, edu- 

 cation, and technical assistance. The approach should emphasize 

 the use of locally designed and applied, economically feasible, site- 

 specific best management practices which do not infringe on pri- 

 vate property rights. 



The Clean Water Act contains valuable provisions for nonpoint 

 source management embodied in section 319. Although section 319 

 has been historically underfunded and has been hampered by bu- 

 reaucratic roadblocks, all States now have approved section 319 as- 

 sessments and management programs. Amendments to the Clean 

 Water Act should continue to focus on the 319 program as the 

 means for States to identify nonpoint sources in critical areas, and 

 to develop management programs to control discharge. Reauthor- 

 ization of the Clean Water Act should provide increased funding 

 and technical support for State management programs and local 

 implementation. Management efforts funded by section 319 should 

 be directed to priority areas based on scientific assessments that 

 identify water bodies with impaired or threatened uses. 



While strategies should be developed on a hydrologic unit, 

 watershedwide basis using an approach that includes consideration 

 of both surface and ground water quality. Programs should focus 

 on cost-effective, site-specific practices for individual operations 

 with flexibility for implementation. 



The proper management of nonpoint source pollution lies in 

 State and local efforts. State and local programs should provide for 

 a mix of research, development, education, technical/financial as- 

 sistance for both planning and implementing actions aimed at 

 achieving State designated uses. Agencies at the Federal and State 

 levels should harmonize objectives and coordinate funding for na- 

 tional and regional nonpoint source management programs. 



Let me turn to another area that you, Mr. Chairman, have asked 

 me to address, wetlands regulations impact on agricultural produc- 

 tion. NASDA strongly believes that many of our Nation's wetlands 

 are highly valuable resources that must be conserved and en- 

 hanced. At the same time, any Federal program to protect wetlands 

 must also preserve private property rights and allow for a balance 



