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Legal Tools for Reducing HABs In Lake Erie. Kenneth Kilbert University of Toledo College of Law March 2012. Point v. Nonpoint. “Point source” Clean Water Act § 502(14): any discernible, confined, discrete conveyance Nonpoint source Undefined: diffuse sources other than point
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Legal Tools for Reducing HABs In Lake Erie Kenneth Kilbert University of Toledo College of Law March 2012
Point v. Nonpoint • “Point source” • Clean Water Act § 502(14): any discernible, confined, discrete conveyance • Nonpoint source • Undefined: diffuse sources other than point • Legal distinction is critical • Points heavily regulated (NPDES permit, etc.) • Nonpoints not so much
Federal Nonpoint Source Programs • Clean Water Act • Section 208 • Section 319 • Coastal Zone Management Act • Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program
Ohio Agricultural Nonpoint Source Authorities • ORC ch. 903 and CAFFs • Ohio Admin. Code 901:10 • Permit To Install, Permit To Operate • ORC ch. 1511 and Agricultural Pollution Abatement Program • Ohio Admin. Code 1501:15-5 • BMPs, “distressed watershed”, cost-sharing
Recommendations • Agriculture • Designate more “distressed watersheds” • Rules setting minimum BMPs, streamlining enforcement • Amend “CAFF” definition • Water quality trading • Ban phosphorus lawn fertilizer • Numeric water quality standards
Recommendations (Cont.) • More TMDLs • Strengthen NPDES permits • Home sewage treatment systems • Restrict open lake disposal • Limit phosphate addition to water systems • Attain final approval of Ohio CNPCP plan • Prioritize grant funding