Maryland’s Nonpoint Source Program has been evolving ever since its original inception in 1987 and is operated in an integrated fashion with Maryland’s Coastal Zone Program. The NPS program has a number of state partners and is based on two authorities: the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) section 319 and Section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 – the Coastal Nonpoint Program. In March 2000, EPA approved the NPS management document update that completely revised the original management plan. A number of priorities were identified in the management plan as long-term, statewide nonpoint source goals, including watershed programs and initiatives, and educational and financial assistance programs. Of these priorities, watershed programs and initiatives support not only the targeting of nonpoint source pollution control resources, but the Coastal Zone Program goals of: (1) sustainable coastal communities; (2) sustainable coastal ecosystems; and (3) government efficiency. Funding for the development of individual watershed management plans and strategies was made available in 2001 under two mechanisms: 1) the Clean Water Act Section 319 -- Nonpoint Source Program planning funds, and 2) Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) Section 309 – Coastal Enhancement Strategy funds. In addition, the Coastal Nonpoint Source funds are currently being used within the coastal zone (comprising 66% of Maryland’s area) to address septic systems, fund clean marina programs, and track progress. The Nonpoint Source Management Program is a multi-disciplinary Program The Nonpoint Source Program relies on creating partnerships to advance long term goals for NPS control. Participation of stakeholders at all levels is critical. The NPS program helps provide financial, technical and outreach assistance to achieve nonpoint source controls, in addition to helping build local capacity for watershed planning and implementation of nonpoint source BMPs. In addition to funding watershed planning efforts, the Nonpoint Source Program provides grants to state and local governments, and institutions of higher learning to implement nonpoint source pollution control projects and programs in accordance with Section 319(h) of the Federal Clean Waters Act (CWA) and section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Reauthorization Amendments Act. Selection Process for funded Projects: - A Request for Proposals( RFP) is distributed to representatives on the NPS Program’s comprehensive mailing lists and posted on this Web Site. Once the deadline is reached and all proposals are received, they are distributed to the interagency Committee for review and ranking. The Committee is composed of representatives from state agencies, the university of Maryland as well as other selected representatives. It selects projects based on relevant funding guidelines and state priorities ( see the RFP's for more details). Types of Projects Funded 1. Competitive Nonpoint Source Implementation projects Funds are available for nonpoint source implementation projects located in priority restoration and protection watersheds (see current RFP for details). 2. Coastal Nonpoint Source Grant The criteria and guidelines for projects funded under this grant will be made available when each RFP is advertised (see current RFP for details). 3. Watershed Restoration Action Strategy Partnership Grants Local governments are encouraged to apply to develop a Watershes Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS) at the eight-digit watershed scale through a partnership program (see current RFP for details). Return To NPS Home Last Updated on May 14, 2004 |