EPA unveils strategy to modernize clean water programs

The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday floated a draft strategy to improve water quality nationwide, one that bluntly recognizes that today’s pollution sources are often difficult to target with traditional Clean Water Act controls.

“Despite our best efforts and many local successes, our aquatic ecosystems are declining nationwide. The rate at which new waters are being listed for water quality impairments exceeds the pace at which restored waters are removed from the list,” EPA acknowledged.

When the landmark water law was enacted in 1972, traditional “point sources” of pollution —think industrial discharge pipes fouling waters — were the big problem.

But times have changed — the strategy notes that “Over the last 30 years, stressors have shifted” and that “recent surveys found that nutrient pollution, excess sedimentation, and degradation of shoreline vegetation affect upwards of 50 percent of our lakes and streams.”

“In addition, recent National Water Quality Inventories have documented pathogens as a leading cause of river and stream impairments. Sources of these stressors vary regionally, but the main national sources of water degradation are: agriculture, stormwater runoff, habitat, hydrology and landscape modifications, municipal wastewater, and air deposition. EPA’s strategy must now meet these shifting needs and priorities,” EPA noted.

Other problems include habitat loss, invasive species and climate change.

The plan recognizes there is no “silver bullet” and calls for a mix of approaches.

They range from legislation and administrative actions to expand wetlands and headwater stream protections; using the “full suite” of water act tools to protect streams from mining; using the “total maximum daily load” program to address “nonpoint” sources like agriculture; and “Coordinate funding opportunities with USDA to accelerate nutrient and sediment reductions and tackle key agriculture challenges through an integrated approach using 319 Program, Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), CWA section 117, STAR grants and USDA Conservation programs.”

Other plans include wider targeting of pollution from livestock operations; promoting “green infrastructure” more broadly; working with state partners to better manage nutrient pollution; and many, many others.

“The only way to bring the Clean Water Act’s vision into reality is for EPA to strengthen and expand the national conversation on protecting and maintaining our waters. Growing our partnerships will be vital in solving these challenging problems. The call to action has never been more urgent especially in light of national trends in water quality and recent environmental disasters,” EPA concludes.

EPA is taking comments on the draft plan until Sept. 17.