TEMPLE - The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board is pleased to announce the release of the 2014 Annual Report on Managing Nonpoint Source Water Pollution to the citizens of Texas. The report is jointly published by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Highlights in the report include annual load reductions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment and success stories achieved on waterbodies across the state.
The federal Clean Water Act requires States to develop a program to protect the quality of water resources from the adverse effects of nonpoint source water pollution. The Texas Nonpoint Source Management Program, updated in 2012, is the State’s comprehensive strategy for addressing nonpoint source water pollution.
Each year, Congress appropriates federal funds to States through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act §319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant Program. These funds are used to administer and implement the Texas Nonpoint Source Management Program and in order to continue receiving these federal funds, the State of Texas must annually report on success in achieving the goals and objectives of the Program.
Prevention and abatement of nonpoint source pollution involves partnerships among many organizations. With the extent and variety of water pollution issues across Texas, cooperation across political boundaries is essential. Many local, regional, state, and federal agencies play an integral part in managing nonpoint source pollution, especially at the watershed level. By coordinating with these partners to share information and resources and to develop and implement strategies together, the State can more effectively focus its water quality protection and restoration efforts.
The report,Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution in Texas – 2014 Annual Report, emphasizes the State’s efforts during fiscal year 2014 to collect data, assess water quality, implement projects that reduce or prevent nonpoint source pollution, and educate and involve the public to improve and maintain the quality of water resources for current and future generations of Texans.
Significant progress in improving water quality was achieved over the last fiscal year. This progress is measured in two ways: pollutant load reductions and watershed success stories. With implementation of best management practices (BMPs) such as prescribed grazing, grass planting, alternative water sources, and irrigation land leveling through three Clean Water Act §319(h) funded projects, reductions in pollutant loading to impaired waterbodies could be calculated. With thousands of acres of agricultural land placed under conservation management in fiscal year 2014, the following load reductions were achieved: 952.2 tons of sediment, 3,881 lbs of phosphorus, and 39,403 lbs of nitrogen. These pollutant load reductions can eventually result in improved water quality.
When implementation efforts lead to restoration of water quality in impaired waterbodies, a success story is written. During fiscal year 2014, two success stories were written, one of those being on the Leon River and its tributary, Pecan Creek. As a result of landowner adoption of agricultural BMPs, as well as other nonpoint source reduction implementation efforts, a portion of the Leon River and all of Pecan Creek was removed from the State’s 2010 303(d) List of impaired waters. This demonstrates the importance of landowner participation in voluntary adoption of BMPs in order to achieve success.
The report is available for download at http://www.tsswcb.texas.gov/reports#nps. Hard copies are available upon request.
For more information about the report, Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution in Texas - 2014 Annual Report, please contact Ashley Wendt at (254) 773-2250 or ashley [dot] wendt [at] tsswcb [dot] texas [dot] gov.
The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board administers Texas’ soil and water conservation law and delivers coordinated natural resource conservation programs through the State’s 216 soil and water conservation districts. The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board is the lead agency for planning, implementing, and managing programs for preventing and abating agricultural and silvicultural nonpoint sources of water pollution. The agency also administers a water supply enhancement program to increase available surface and ground water through the targeted control of water-depleting brush; works to ensure the State’s network of 2,000 flood control dams are protecting lives and property; and facilitates the Texas Invasive Species Coordinating Committee.