Background Information for Section 319 Projects
Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is water pollution caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground and carrying natural and human-made pollutants into lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, ground water, etc. Atmospheric deposition and hydrologic modification are also sources of nonpoint pollution. Reports throughout the United States indicate nonpoint source pollution is the most significant cause of water quality problems.

In 1987, Congress enacted section 319 of the Clean Water Act, establishing a national program to control nonpoint sources of water pollution. Under section 319, states address nonpoint pollution by developing nonpoint source assessment reports that identify nonpoint source pollution problems and the sources responsible for the water quality problems. States then develop management programs to control nonpoint source pollution. Section 319 funding supports a variety of activities including technical assistance, financial assistance, education, training, technology transfer, demonstration projects, and monitoring to assess the success of specific nonpoint source implementation projects.

For more information regarding nonpoint source pollution and section 319 of the Clean Water Act
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