For discussion on 2002 Annual Report

I. PENNSYLVANIA'S NPS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

A. PENNSYLVANIA'S NPS STRATEGY

Pennsylvania's Nonpoint Source Strategy is based on the visions of the Department and the NPS Liaison Workgroup and includes the following long term goals (more than five years) and short term objectives (five years or less) to establish flexible, targeted, iterative approaches to achieve and maintain beneficial uses of the waters of the Commonwealth. The following strategy includes seven program elements: NPS Vision, Long Term Goals with Short Term Objectives of the Commonwealth's Watershed approach discussed on Page 4, use of GIS technology, TMDLs, use of the NPS Liaison Workgroup, establishing environmental measures and indicators of progress and success. The environmental results will be measured by: water quality improvements, NPS pollution load reductions, implementation of NPS controls and public education, awareness and actions.

1. NPS Vision

Pennsylvania's primary objective for its Nonpoint Source Management Program is to bundle all the Section 319 requirements into a program that effectively reduces and prevents nonpoint source pollution in Pennsylvania. According to the NPS Liaison Workgroup's Vision Statement: Pennsylvania's Nonpoint Source Program, through partnerships with the citizens, agencies, and industries of the Commonwealth, will work to achieve appropriate water quality standards and protect beneficial uses of all surface and groundwater. To do this, the NPS Management Program will be used as a tool to control, prevent and remediate NPS pollution.

2. Long Term Goals with Short Term Objectives

a. Conduct restoration activities on all agricultural, construction, land disposal, silvicultural and urban nonpoint source impacted streams, for the purpose of attaining designated uses, by the year 2015; and conduct necessary restoration activities on all abandoned mine and hydrologic/habitat modified impacted streams, for the purpose of attaining designated uses, by 2025.

(1) Use the Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters, source water protection areas, and waters in need of special protection for future watershed prioritization. Encourage development of local watershed groups and interests to begin watershed protection and restoration activities.

(2) Develop and begin implementation of restoration plans for approved Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for all waterbodies on the Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters.

b. Achieve a 33 percent net gain in healthy, diverse, aquatic ecosystems by 2010, both by maintaining 1998 levels of such systems and by restoring degraded ones.

(1) Focus the incremental Section 319 funds in FY1999-2000 on the 18 priority Category I Watersheds identified in the Unified Watershed Assessment. The remaining five Category I Watersheds will be priorities for attention in FY2001 and beyond.

(2) In 1999 continue implementation of Pennsylvania's Watershed Restoration and Assistance Program which provides state funding for watershed groups' restoration initiatives and demonstration projects.