Nonpoint Source Pollution 



Nonpoint source pollution is caused by diffuse sources 

 that are not regulated as point sources and normally is 

 associated with activities such as agriculture, silviculture, 

 construction, land disposal, hydromodif ication, and others. 

 The primary pollutants are sediments, nutrients, toxic 

 substances, pathogens, pesticides, acidity, and salts. 



Nonpoint source pollution is a major problem in the 

 Clark Fork drainage. The primary pollutants are metals, 

 derived from floodplain mine wastes and waste disposal areas, 

 and sediment, derived mainly from agriculture and silvicul- 

 ture. 



In the past, nonpoint problems in Montana have been 

 addressed in a somewhat fragmented manner. However, baseline 

 information does exist, and it can be used to compare future 

 measurements of nonpoint source effects and to gauge the 

 effectiveness of control programs. In 1985, Montana joined 

 55 other states, territories, and interstate water quality 

 agencies in assembling existing information on water quality 

 impacts caused by nonpoint sources of pollution. The effort 

 was coordinated and the findings compiled and published by 

 the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution 

 Control Administrators. 



The federal Clean Water Act of 1987 established a new 

 policy for the control of water pollution, including a 

 directive to the states to develop and implement programs to 

 control nonpoint sources of pollution. Section 319 of the 

 Act provides the legal basis for implementing such programs 

 and sets forth requirements the states must meet to qualify 

 for assistance. The State of Montana must strive to meet 

 those requirements. Some of the funds should address 

 critical nonpoint source problems in the Clark Fork Basin. 



Identifying, prioritizing, and initiating programs to 

 reduce nonpoint source pollution problems in the Clark Fork 

 Basin should be important goals for Montanans. Strategies 

 for achieving these goals are: 



1. Support the state nonpoint source management program. 



State, federal, and local agencies should aggressively 

 pursue actions recommended by the DHES-WQB in the state 

 nonpoint source management program proposed under 

 Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act of 1987. 

 The report, entitled Nonpoint Sources of Water Pollution 

 in Montana, is available from the DHES-Water Quality 

 Bureau in Helena. 



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