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SOUTH CAROLINA RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ITS NONPOINT SOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Release Date: 03/23/2000
Contact Information: Dawn Harris, EPA Media Relations, 404-562-8421

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that South Carolina's Nonpoint Source Management Program has been awarded "Enhanced Benefit Status." This action recognizes that the State's program has demonstrated a proven track record of effective implementation and incorporates the nine key elements of an effective program. This program demonstrates many strengths; in particular, the integration of the coastal nonpoint pollution control program and its enforceable management measures. With this recognition, South Carolina's Nonpoint Source Management Program will be afforded top priority for developing multi-year work plans; minimal EPA review of grant work plans; minimum reporting requirements; substantially reduced intensity and frequency of EPA oversight; and top priority for advanced technical expertise and assistance. EPA and South Carolina will review this status every two to three years to assure that the Nonpoint Source Management Program continues to include all nine key elements and maintains a proven track record of implementation. Some of the key elements of an upgraded Nonpoint Source Management Program include the following: short and long-term goals, objectives and strategies to protect surface and groundwater; strong working partnerships with Federal, State, Tribal, regional and local entities, and private sector and citizens' groups; abatement of known water quality impairments resulting from nonpoint source pollution and prevents significant threats to water quality from present and future activities; and efficient and effective management and implementation of the State's nonpoint source program, including necessary financial management. South Carolina plans to have controls in place by 2013 that will provide mechanisms to delist 100 percent of the 303(d) listed Nonpoint Source (NPS) water bodies and prevent new NPS impacted water bodies from being listed. South Carolina also has integrated several state agencies into its nonpoint source program and has had an established public/private partnership through a NPS Task Force. The program upgrade should speed up the pace of reducing polluted runoff in the state. Most nonpoint sources are related to land-use activities. Primary nonpoint sources of water pollution include runoff from agriculture, urban areas, mining, forestry, and construction activities.