Number: 1990-10
WHEREAS, diffuse, nonpoint sources of water pollutants such as contaminated runoff from urban and rural lands is responsible for over half of the pollutants found in the nation’s waters today; and
WHEREAS, the Water Quality Act of 1987 created Section 319 of the Clean Water Act authorizing a program to address nonpoint source (NPS) pollution; and
WHEREAS, Section 319 requires States and Territories to develop and implement programs to control nonpoint sources of pollutants; and
WHEREAS, Section 319 requires States and Territories to submit NPS Management Plans by August 1988; and
WHEREAS, all eligible States and Territories have submitted NPS Management Plans; and
WHEREAS, Section 319 authorizes 400 million dollars in federal funds over a four-year period for nonpoint activities; and
WHEREAS, during the first two years of the four-year program the Administration has not requested any of the federal funds authorized by Section 319; and
WHEREAS, in the recent year Congress appropriated only 40 million dollars for the implementation of Section 319;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation IN annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, in Denver, Colorado, urges Congress to fully fund Clean Water Act Section 319 for nonpoint source pollution control; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding for Section 319 not be supported at the expense of further progress in point source control.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Section 319 funding for state and territorial activities be based upon approved NPS management plans that contain legally enforceable control measures to assure achievement of specific, local water quality standards including groundwater protection.