The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Program: Status and Legislative Issues Page: 1 of 6
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Order Code RS20232
Updated January 25, 2001The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Program:
Status and Legislative Issues
Claudia Copeland
Specialist in Resources and Environmental Policy
Resources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummary
In 1990, Congress enacted legislation requiring coastal states and territories to
develop programs to help address the problem of nonpoint source pollution in coastal
waters, which are especially threatened by pressures of population growth, development,
and pollution. The coastal nonpoint pollution program is unique because it expressly
links federal and state coastal zone management and water quality programs. Coastal
states are now implementing these requirements. Congress has not changed the program
since its enactment, but one issue receiving attention is whether to integrate the coastal
nonpoint pollution program with activities under the Coastal Zone Management Act
(CZMA). In the 106th Congress, CZMA legislation passed the Senate (S. 1534), and a
separate bill was reported by a House committee (H.R. 2669), but no further action
occurred. Whether the coastal nonpoint program will receive attention in the 107th
Congress is unknown at this time. This report will be updated as developments warrant.
Introduction
Coastal environments face substantial challenges because of multiple pressures of
population growth, economic development, and pollution. Population densities of coastal
counties are five times the national average, and it is estimated that, from 1996 to 2015,
the coastal population will increase from 141 to 161 million persons. Besides supporting
people, coastal ecosystems support fisheries, prevent runoff, purify water supply, and
mitigate floods, while providing recreation and resources such as lumber, fuel, and food.
In coastal areas, water quality impairments have led to beach closures, prohibitions
on harvesting shellfish, and loss of biological productivity in coastal habitats. In addition,
the loss of wetlands and riparian areas, water withdrawals, and saltwater intrusion have
adversely impacted coastal water quality. Coastal waters are affected by both point and
nonpoint sources of pollution, with the latter in many cases the dominant form of
pollution. Point source pollution is discharged from factories and municipal sewage
treatment plants, usually from a pipe or defined outlet. Nonpoint source pollution isCongressional Research Service The Library of Congress
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Copeland, Claudia. The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Program: Status and Legislative Issues, report, January 25, 2001; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc817674/m1/1/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.