NonPoint Source Banner

Nonpoint Source Program (NPS)

NPS Program Overview

The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Porter-Cologne Act) was amended in 1999 to require the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) to develop guidance to enforce the state’s Non-Point Source (NPS) pollution control program. Compliance was attained by adopting the NPS Implementation and Enforcement Policy on May 20, 2004. Every five years the State Board, nine Regional Boards, and California Coastal Commission put together the NPS Implementation plan. The goal of this five-year plan is to present, in one place, the general goals and objectives of the co-lead agencies for addressing NPS pollution over the timeframe of January 2021 to June 2025.

The NPS program also administers grant money through section 319(h) of the Federal Clean Water Act. This funding can be used to implement projects that reduce NPS pollution. For more information on grants and funding please visit the 319(h) grant program website below.

The Region's NPS Program implements the statewide Nonpoint Source Pollution Implementation Plan, and is consistent with the statewide Policy for Implementation and Enforcement of the Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program.

Regional Program Overview

In the 2020-2025 NPS Program Implementation Plan, the Lahontan Regional Board (Water Board) has identified seven priority topic areas to focus its NPS pollution control efforts. Those priority areas are:

  1. Agriculture
  2. Climate Change
  3. Forestry, Wildfire, and Fuels Reduction
  4. Rangelands and Grazing
  5. Harmful Algal Blooms
  6. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
  7. Source Water Protection

NPS Unit Overview

Water Board staff in the NPS unit work on program management, 319(h) grant management, rangeland/grazing management, harmful algal blooms, and Lake Tahoe water quality protection Programs. Partnerships with other Water Board units exist to implement other areas of the NPS program, and those contacts can be found from the items below.

  To learn more about the current priorities for the Lahontan Water Board’s NPS Program and other tasks that the Unit works on, click on the items below.

Agriculture

Climate Change

Forestry, Wildfire, and Fuels Reduction

Rangelands and Grazing

Harmful Algal Blooms

Onsite Wastewater Treatment

Source Water Protection

319 Grant Program

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe Programs

Lake Tahoe TMDL Online Interface

Nearshore Agency Working Group

Contact

Questions or Comments about NPS in the Lahontan Region?
Please contact:

Mary Fiore-Wagner, Senior Environmental Scientist - Supervisor
Nonpoint Source Unit Supervisor
Mary.Fiore-Wagner@waterboards.ca.gov