Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program
Announcement – Draft Nevada Nonpoint Source Management Plan Available for Public Comment
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) invites public comment on the draft 2025-2029 Nonpoint Source Pollution State Management Plan, developed pursuant to Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. This plan update outlines Nevada’s strategies for addressing nonpoint source (NPS) pollution from 2025–2029.
The plan includes goals, milestones, and coordination aims to protect and restore water quality across the state. It reflects updates in strategies to prioritize restoration and protection activities, funding approaches, watershed-based planning, ongoing challenges such as wildfire, and emerging concerns like Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and legacy mine impacts.
Public Comment Period: July 2 – August 1, 2025
View the Draft Plan: 2025-2029 Nonpoint Source Pollution State Management Plan
Submit Comments To:
Christian H. Fritsen
Supervisor, Nonpoint Source Pollution Branch
Bureau of Water Quality Planning
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
901 S. Stewart Street, Suite 4001
Carson City, Nevada 89701
Email: cfritsen [at] ndep.nv.gov
NDEP encourages input from all interested parties, including tribes, landowners, local, watershed groups, and members of the public. Feedback will inform the final version of the plan to be submitted to EPA Region 9 for approval.
To receive notices regarding the Nonpoint Source Pollution State Management Plan, Grant Funding Opportunities, and other Nonpoint Source Program updates, please press the “Get Notices” button below and select the “Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program” option.
About Nonpoint Source Pollution
The Bureau of Water Quality Planning is responsible for managing nonpoint sources of pollution in Nevada. Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution results from a variety of diffuse and dispersed human activities.
Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and ground waters.
Although it is the leading cause of water quality problems in Nevada, controlling NPS pollution remains a challenge. Sources are difficult to locate and the effects of NPS pollutants on specific waters vary and may not always be fully assessed. However, we do know that these pollutants can have harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries, and wildlife.
Nevada’s Nonpoint Source State Management Plan was updated and approved in 2020.
Projects supported by the Nonpoint Source Pollution Managment grant funds are described in this Story Map
Follow the link for detailed information about Nevada's NPS Pollution grant funding