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Delaware Receives Federal Seal of
Approval for New Environmental Plan
Delaware just received the final federal seal of approval on a state
coastal pollution program aimed at combatting land-based sources of
runoff from agriculture, forestry, marinas, and urban sources, earning
an additional $150,000 in federal funding. The program was formally
approved at a signing ceremony on March 28 in Dover, Del. NOAA and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are the federal agencies responsible
for reviewing the plan.
Polluted runoff, also known as nonpoint source pollution, is a significant
problem throughout the nation, especially in coastal areas and watersheds
that feed into sensitive estuaries and coastal environments. It is caused
when rain picks up pollutants on land and deposits them into coastal
waters, lakes, rivers, and even underground drinking water aquifers.
Vice Admiral Lautenbacher said the program's strength is that "it's
state focused and grassroots, but still part of a larger, national effort."
The coastal nonpoint pollution program was authorized by Congress in
fiscal year 1990 as part of the national Coastal Zone Management Program,
a unique voluntary partnership of federal and state governments that
gives guidance for solving coastal runoff pollution problems. Thirty-three
coastal states are participating in the program and have received conditional
approval of their plans. Each state receives funding based on a formula
that factors in length of shoreline and coastal population.
At the signing ceremony, Jamie Hawkins, deputy administrator of NOAA's
National Ocean Service, called Delaware's coastal nonpoint program "comprehensive
and a roadmap for others to follow." He said NOAA would work closely
with the state to ensure its programs were successful. "Polluted
runoff remains one of the greatest threats and most vexing problems
in protecting coastal waters, and the challenge will grow as coastal
populations continue to expand. NOAA applauds Delaware for starting
a new coastal management program to keep marinas clean and for adopting
a nutirent management act to help farmers more effectively apply nutrients
to crops," he said.
Celebrating Delaware's newly approved state environmental plan are
(from left) Jamie Hawkins, deputy administrator, NOAA's National Ocean
Service; Governor Ruth Ann Miner; Sarah Cooksey, administrator, Delaware
Coastal Programs; and Donald Welsh, administrator, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region III.
Last year Delaware received base funding of $126,000. Each state receives
a bonus for producing a fully approved plan. Today, Delaware joins seven
states – Maryland, Rhode Island, California, Virginia, Pennsylvania,
New Hampshire, and Massachusetts – and Puerto Rico, receiving a $150,000
bonus.
“Delaware has shown strong leadership in developing its coastal polluted
runoff program, including a serious commitment on the part of the many
state agencies and local partners,” said Vice Adm. Lautenbacher. “We
understand the tough challenges of protecting America’s coastal waters
from nonpoint source pollution and will continue to work with the states
and Congress to ensure ongoing support for this important program.”
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