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Region 8

Serving Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 27 Tribal Nations

Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program Success Stories


   

The following success stories demonstrate the successful implementation of the Section 319 Clean Water Act Nonpoint Source program in Region 8. First, there are examples of successful solutions to a variety of water quality problems caused by nonpoint source pollution. Next, there are examples of success stories that have come with the maturation of state nonpoint source programs, replete with many examples of the documented water quality improvements, improved fisheries, reduced loadings, and increased public awareness that are a result of the many projects that have received section 319 funding. Finally, these stories demonstrate better-defined water quality improvements, as well as growing partnerships and funding sources, as state 319 programs expand and states learn increasingly more from past 319 demonstration projects. Collectively, they represent only a fraction of the section 319 project successes within Region 8.

Defining success Many of the projects directly address the Clean Water Act's goal of achieving water quality standards by restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters. The stories primarily demonstrate water quality improvements, a return to water quality standards, or other objective evidence of improvement in the water or in the habitat associated with the water. Many of the stories also document specific pollutant reductions or other measurable improvements attributed to the 319 project, such as increased shade for temperature-impaired waters and improved streamside habitat. The stories highlight the range of best management practices, training programs, and other activities implemented to achieve these successes, as well as the funding sources and other partners that contributed to the successful project.

Map of EPA Region 8 Colorado Montana North Dakota South Dakota Utah Wyoming

Colorado
Montana
North Dakota
South Dakota
Utah
Wyoming

The following Region 8 Nonpoint Source Success documents are available in Adobe PDF format. To view these files, it may be necessary to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

You will need the free Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

Colorado

The Badger Creek Watershed Project - Improving Fisheries on the Arkansas River

Boulder Creek Furnishes Laboratory for NPS Treatment

Mining Remediation in the Chalk Creek Watershed - Project Demonstrates Exciting Possibilities

Rio Blanco Restoration - Adopted Rocks and Homemade Jelly Help Fund Demonstration Project


Montana

Careless Creek Watershed Project - Sediment Delivery Reduced by 25 Percent

Conducting an Experiment in Forestry Education

Reclaiming East Spring Creek - Greater Trout Populations

Reducing Nutrients in Agricultural Runoff - The Godfrey Creek Project in Gallatin County

Restoration in Muddy Creek - Will a Name Change Be Needed?


North Dakota

The Bowman/Hayley Watershed Project - Conservation Planning Succeeds in North Dakota

Conservation Practices Work for Bowman-Haley Reservoir

Continued Monitoring of Water Quality Benefits

Cottonwood Creek Watershed - Project Is a Success in the Works

Protecting the Knife River - Improved Land Management Around Goodman Creek

Red River Basin Riparian Project - Turtle River Site Passes the Test


South Dakota

Bad River Watershed Project - Watershed Management Model Works in South Dakota

Big Stone Lake Restoration Project - Better Water Quality Improves Fisheries, Recreation

Management-Intensive Grazing Project - Rotational Grazing Reduces Erosion, Increases Profits

Protecting the Big Sioux Aquifer

Riparian Improvement in East River South Dakota - Information and Education are Keys to Success


Utah

Little Bear River Project - Voluntary Approaches Yield Success

Miles of Fences, Hundreds of Cows - Farmers on the Little Bear River Protect Water Quality

Rangeland Restoration - New Management Practices in the Otter Creek Watershed

Streambank Modification Successful in Utah

Success in the Chalk Creek Watershed - Reduced Phosphorous, Enhanced Habitat


Wyoming

Jackson Hole Rodeo Grounds Snow Storage Site - Filtration System Reduces Urban Storm Water Runoff

Muddy Creek Coordinated Resource Management Project - Cattle Ranches and Trout Streams Can Coexist

Rehabilitation in Squaw and Baldwin Creeks - A Local Effort

Restoring Riparian Areas Improves Trout Fishery - Squaw and Baldwin Creeks Watershed

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