New York State Envirothon – Current Issue Guide

Current Issue Study Guide

NY Current Issues – General Topic Statement

The State of New York is endowed with abundant surface water resources vital for uses such as recreation, fishing, drinking water supply, and supporting biodiversity. Iconic waterways like the Hudson River, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, and the St. Lawrence River hold historical, cultural, and economic significance. These waters are critical to New York’s future, but non-point source (NPS) pollution threatens their quality and the health of communities and ecosystems that depend on them.

The landmark Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972 in the United States established a foundational framework for regulating the discharge of both point and non-point source pollutants into the nation’s waters, as well as setting surface water quality standards. Point source pollutants come from a single, identifiable origin, such as a discharge pipe from a factory. In contrast, non-point source (NPS) pollution originates from diffuse source, like runoff from agricultural fields in the Finger Lakes region or urban stormwater in cities like NYC and Buffalo, or sediment from construction sites along the Hudson River. The diffuse nature of NPS makes it challenging to pin-point exact sources. While the CWA effectively addressed point source pollution through permits and regulations, NPS pollution has largely been managed through voluntary or local efforts in urban and rural areas. In the mid-1990s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began tackling some NPS pollution through new stormwater permits, but improving water quality still requires coordinated individual and community-based efforts.

Many individuals do not realize how their actions contribute to non-point source pollution, either directly through their consumption and disposal habits or indirectly through the products and services they purchase (e.g., the life of a plastic water bottle). It is essential for individuals to acknowledge their role in this issue and understand how they can help provide solutions. Tackling non-point source pollution starts at the individual level – change begins at home.

Students will learn about NPS pollution and identify its origins in both urban and rural settings. They will learn how to conduct their own NPS survey in their community and watershed. Additionally, they will learn about NPS mitigation strategies, which encompass actions at both the individual level – such as conservation, recycling, and responsible consumption – and the community level, including watershed planning, best management practices, nature-based solutions, water quality testing, and litter prevention initiatives.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Current Issue Learning Objectives

For successful completion of the Current Issue section, students should be able to:

Identify sources of non-point pollution

We have attempted to find the most recent information from credible, university or governmental based institutions related to the listed learning objective but please note that the following resources are not all inclusive or exclusive and there are many other sources of information that you may wish to consult in your study of “Non-Point Source Pollution Mitigation”.

Key Topic #1: Non-Point Source Pollution Status. What is NPS pollution and why does it matter? Defines NPS pollution, its diffuse nature, and its impact on water resources. Builds foundational knowledge and observational skills.

Learning Objectives

Define non-point source (NPS) pollution and differentiate it from point source

pollution using real-world examples from urban and rural settings.

Explain changes in watershed ecology that influence NPS pollution (Water cycle, nutrient cycles, carbon cycles, river continuum concept).
Identify major types, sources and pathways of NPS pollution in surface water systems, including stormwater runoff, agricultural fields, and impervious surfaces.
Describe the impacts of NPS pollution on water quality and designated water uses (e.g., recreation, fisheries, drinking water).

Key Topic #2: NPS in a Growing World and Your Role in It

Learning Objectives

Explain how population growth, urban expansion, and agricultural intensification

contribute to increased non-point source pollution globally and locally.

Compare the effects of land use types (e.g., urban, suburban, agricultural) on runoff volume and pollutant loading
Identify common products or practices in daily life that contribute to non-point source pollution through indirect pathways (e.g., fertilizers, car washing, pet waste).
Illustrate the concept of a personal environmental footprint as it relates to NPS

pollution, using tools such as footprint calculators

Key Topic #3: The role of the Individual/Community in NPS issues and solutions

Learning Objectives

Describe the role that individuals, families, and local communities can play

in reducing NPS pollution through behavior change and local initiatives.

Identify examples of community-based solutions to NPS pollution (e.g., storm

drain marking campaigns, rain garden installations, stream cleanups).

Compare the effectiveness of individual vs. collective actions in mitigating NPS pollution at the watershed scale.
Demonstrate how to design or participate in a local outreach or monitoring project

that addresses NPS pollution, such as conducting a stormwater audit or organizing

a pollution prevention campaign.

Interpret the benefits and limitations of volunteerism, citizen science, and

public- private partnerships in addressing NPS issues.

Key Topic #4: Strategies to Evaluate NPS Sources, Issues, and Solutions

Learning Objectives

Identify tools and techniques used to assess non-point source pollution, including watershed mapping, stormwater flow tracing, and visual assessment methods.
Explain how monitoring data (e.g., water quality indicators such as turbidity, E. coli, nutrients) can be used to evaluate the presence and severity of NPS pollution.
Describe the challenges in monitoring, quantifying, and managing NPS pollution compared to point source pollution.
Apply simple field protocols to evaluate land use and physical features (e.g., slope, impervious cover, vegetative buffers) that influence runoff and pollutant transport.
Interpret basic maps, aerial imagery, or field data to locate potential sources of NPS pollution in a given watershed.
Recommend appropriate solutions based on identified issues in a mock or real-world NPS pollution scenario, drawing on field evidence or data interpretation.

Key Topic #5: Legislation, Regulations, and Voluntary Measures

Learning Objectives

Summarize major U.S. policies and programs that address non-point source pollution, including the Clean Water Act (especially Sections 303 and 319) and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).
Differentiate between regulatory and voluntary approaches to controlling NPS pollution and identify examples of each.
Describe how federal and state agencies support local communities in managing NPS pollution through funding, education, and technical assistance.
Simulate a decision-making process where students must select appropriate policy or program tools to manage a fictional watershed’s NPS challenges.

Key Topic #6: Your Best Management Practices for NPS

Learning Objectives

Identify common BMPs used to reduce NPS pollution in urban, suburban, and agricultural environments (e.g., rain gardens, cover crops, buffer strips, pervious pavement).
Explain how selected BMPs reduce pollutant loads or improve stormwater infiltration, using diagrams or real-world examples.
Compare the costs, benefits, and feasibility of different BMPs in various land use contexts (e.g., a schoolyard vs. a farm vs. a residential street).
Demonstrate how to plan or assess a BMP using a field checklist, photo documentation, or a site sketch (e.g., rain garden layout or runoff path).
Recommend appropriate BMPs for a hypothetical site based on land use, soil conditions, and observed pollution risks.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Current Issue References

Non-Point Source Pollution Mitigation – It Starts at Home!

AEM Brochure

AGNPS Brochure

AG BMP Practices catalog

Manure Storage in NY FAQ

Priority In-Waterbody Best Management Practices to reduce phosphorus loading

NYSDEC NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Annual Report 2022-2023

NYS WQIP Program Fact Sheet

NYS WQIP 2025 PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Quick Reference Guide for Best Management Practices – Chesapeake Bay guide