The Nonpoint Source (NPS) Office began in 2009 with funding provided by EPA under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. The primary goal of the NPS Office is to prevent and control nonpoint source pollution and protect or improve water quality on the Reservation. This is accomplished through preventative education, implementing best management practices (BMPs), development of habitat protection policy and environmental ordinances, installation of detention/treatment ponds, rain gardens, sediment basins, etc. to treat storm water discharge, and by expanding baseline monitoring in areas of current or future NPS pollution.
NPS pollution comes from many sources. It is not like point sources that may come from industrial or sewage treat plants. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt that transports pollutants, contaminating ground and surface water. Examples of these pollutants include the following:
- Fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from farming and residential areas
- Oil, grease, and chemicals form urban runoff and energy production
- Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding stream banks
- Road salt and salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines
- Bacteria and nutrients from failing septic systems
- Atmospheric deposition and hydromodification
The Red Lake Band NPS Assessment Report, Management Plan, and application for Treatment as a State (TAS) were approved by EPA on October 8, 2008.
Program goals:
- Implement BMPs and work towards watershed management to improve water quality
- Environmental Education
- Develop general habitat and environmental protection ordinances
- Manage stormwater issues through BMPs, rain gardens, sediment basins, and/or detention treatment ponds
- Expand baseline monitoring in areas of current or likely future NPS pollution input]
Completed projects:
- Mud River Dam Removal and Restoration
- Pike Creek Restoration
- Kinney Lake Access
- Other boat accesses
- A more complete list can be found here
