U.S. EPA recently approved DEEP’s Connecticut NPS Management Program Plan which is required as part of the Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Management Program. Common NPS pollutants include: pathogens, nutrients, sediment, salt, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides and debris. These are typically carried by stormwater runoff into nearby streams, lakes, and estuaries from diffuse land use activities. Potential sources include: unregulated runoff from impervious surfaces and developed land, agricultural runoff, waste from domestic animals and wildlife, malfunctioning septic systems, landscape maintenance activities, marinas and boating, atmospheric deposition, and hydrologic and habitat modification.
Municipalities and businesses are encouraged to review elements of the plan, especially the tables listing actions and milestones, to identify ways to work collaboratively with DEEP to restore and protect affected waters.
To learn more about CT DEEP’s NPS Program visit http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2719&q=325588&deepNav_GID=1654.
To read and/or download a copy of the NPS plan go to http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/water/nps/planupdate/ct_nps_plan_final.pdf.