Watershed Planning

Because water defies political boundaries and follows the topography of the land, Eastgate understands the need to approach water quality issues and solutions from a watershed standpoint. Our water quality program offers a collaborative approach to educate our region’s members and residents about the importance of improving local water quality, managing stormwater, and protecting our surface drinking water resources.

Eastgate coordinates and manages efforts for many water quality initiatives, studies and committees. Eastgate has been successful collaborating with local governments, agencies, and watershed groups to complete and implementing watershed action plans, conducting stream assessments, and developing green infrastructure workshops for our members.

Nonpoint Source Implementation Plans (NPS-IS)

There are two water pollution categories: point source and nonpoint source pollution.  Point source pollution is easily identified as pollution originating from one main source, usually a pipe, and conveying a specific pollutant (i.e., chemicals). However, nonpoint sources are more complex in origin because there is more than one source for a particular pollutant (i.e., sediment). 

According to the Ohio EPA, the leading nonpoint pollutant causes of water quality impairment are sediment, organic enrichment, habitat modification, and nutrients. A Nine-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategy Plan (NPS-IS) is a type of watershed planning tool allowing “local entities to effectively propose and implement nonpoint source pollution projects utilizing funding made available through the Clean Water Act Section 319” (Guide to Developing Nine-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategic Plans in Ohio, Ohio EPA).  Each NPS-IS plan is unique and created for a 12-digit watershed hydraulic unit code (HUC).

An NPS-IS plan:

  • Is a living document and can be updated as necessary;
  • Summarizes a watershed’s water quality conditions/impairments;
  • Lists causes the causes and sources of impairments;
  • Establishes critical areas;
  • Sets goals and objectives to address the causes and sources of impairment; and
  • Identifies projects to meet the goals and objectives.

Watershed Planning Map

Additional Documents