Watershed-Based Plans
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 Watershed-Based Planning
A watershed approach is the most effective way to manage today’s water resource challenges. A watershed plan that follows such an approach is described by nine elements outlined by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
The nine elements include:
- Identify causes and sources of pollution
- Estimate pollutant loading into the watershed and the expected load reductions
- Describe management measures that will achieve load reductions and targeted critical areas
- Estimate amounts of technical and financial assistance and the relevant authorities needed to implement the plan
- Develop an information/education component
- Develop a project schedule
- Describe the interim, measurable milestones
- Identify indicators to measure progress
- Develop a monitoring component
Several watershed plans have been developed in Nevada and accepted by US EPA. They include:
The Carson River Adaptive Management Plan
The Las Vegas Wash Comprehensive Adaptive Management Plan
The Lake Tahoe TMDL Implementation Plan
Local watershed groups are encouraged to develop watershed plans, as implementation of water quality improvements have access to a larger funding pool if a plan exists.
NDEP anticipates opening a Grant Funding Opportunity for watershed planning and new implementation projects in the upcoming month.
Please reach out to NDEP - Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants email (ndepnpsgrants [at] ndep.nv.gov) if there are questions about grant funding opportunities.