EPA is pleased to announce the availability of a new draft guidance document: National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Hydromodification. This technical guidance and reference document is appropriate for use by state, territory, and tribal managers, as well as the public, in the implementation of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution management programs in streams, lakes, estuaries, aquifers, and other waterbodies affected by hydromodification. At this time, EPA is requesting public comments on the draft document (See Federal Register Notice at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2006/July/Day-17/w11248.htm).
The draft guidance enhances and updates the technical information contained in EPA's 1993 Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters, published under section 6217(g) of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (CZARA). Whereas the 1993 guidance was regulatory, this document does not set new or additional standards for either CZARA section 6217 or Clean Water Act section 319 programs. The draft guidance contains information on management measures and corresponding practices that EPA considers effective for managing hydromodification and reducing nonpoint source pollution of surface and ground water. The document discusses the broad concepts of assessing and addressing water quality problems on a watershed level, and presents recent technical information about how certain types of NPS pollution can be reduced effectively. Because it is national in scope, the guidance does not address all practices or techniques specific to local or regional soils or climates. Implementation of the guidance will result in increased use of scientifically sound, cost-effective hydromodification management measures, and will support states in their efforts to implement their Nonpoint Source Control Programs. Comments should be sent to Chris Solloway, Assessment and Watershed Protection Division (4503T), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460. Non-US Postal Service comments should be sent to Chris Solloway, Assessment and Watershed Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA West, Room 7330 N, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004. Faxes should be sent to (202) 566-1437. Comments may also be sent via email to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. You can get more information about the guidance or download the document (in PDF format) at http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/hydromod/index.htm Copies of the complete draft can also be obtained by request from Chris Solloway at the above address, by e-mail at <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, or by calling (202) 566-1202.
