Eric Carlson, Chair, welcomed the NPS Liaison Workgroup members and all present and thanked them for their interest and involvement. Mike Sherman, Chief of Watershed Support Division explained several new program initiatives including: the Unified Watershed Assessment (UWA), FY1999 incremental funds, Watershed Restoration Action Strategies (WRAS), Watershed Restoration and Assistance Program (WRAP) and DEP’s watershed coordinators.

The finalized UWA classified watersheds into the following: Category I watersheds in need of restoration, Category II watersheds in need of protection, Category III pristine watersheds; and Category IV watersheds needing additional data. There were 23 Category I watersheds with 18 watersheds identified as priority for incremental funding. The UWA made Pennsylvania eligible for additional incremental funds ($2.9 million) as part of the FY99 budget. The FY99 incremental money is funding thirty-six additional projects.

In FY99 the WRAP Program received 145 applications requesting over $3.6 million. Thirty-six projects were funded for a total of $575,000. All but several will be completed by the end of June.

In March five workshops on how to prepare 319/WRAP applications were held at different locations. The FY2000 application combined WRAP and 319 into one application. The 319 program received 73 applications for $8.3 million. WRAP received 87 applications for $1.6 million.

The FY99 incremental grant application will be submitted to EPA next month with the 24 draft WRAS that have been developed at the state water plan level. Mike then reviewed EPA’s guidance for Watershed Restoration Action Strategies and the five elements of a well-designed watershed implementation plan. Copies of both were provided.

Fred Suffian representing EPA provided an update on the USDA-EPA Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Program (CZARA Section 6217). Copies of overheads are available. Eva Ammentorp, from EPA also presented an update on the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). Copies of Eva’s overheads are also available.

Each of the six NPS category workgroups met in their respective groups to review their Action Plan. Discussion of suggestions followed lunch. Comments/changes/suggestions from the workgroups have been incorporated into Pennsylvania’s Nonpoint Source Management Program 1999 Update (September 1999). Next meeting was scheduled for October 28, 1999. Everyone agreed to bring information on the milestones and implementation steps their organization has accomplished for the annual report to EPA. Meeting was adjourned about 2:30 p.m.