NEIWPCC hosted the three-day National Nonpoint Source (NPS) Training Workshop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in October. The event brought together more than 200 federal, state, tribal, nation, territorial, and other NPS program practitioners involved with activities under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Last held in 2023, the workshop provides a forum for discussion and coordination with colleagues from across the country.
The workshop began with opening remarks from Richard Friesner, director of Water Quality Programs at NEIWPCC, and Karen Fligger, Nonpoint Source Branch manager with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Fligger discussed updates to the Section 319 Management Plan and new technical resources, such as the updated Pollutant Load Estimation Tool dataset.
A panel discussion about tribal-state coordination included Rainee Tetreault of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Kate Lacey-Young with the New Mexico Environment Department, and Hannah Coe with the Washington State Department of Ecology. They shared how their organizations collaborate and communicate with their state agency and tribal counterparts. The session underscored the importance of proactive communication between state agencies, local tribes and nations regarding water quality issues and watershed management. The panel also offered practitioners strategies for opening lines of communication.
During a breakout session about urban stormwater runoff and green infrastructure, Jamie Houle, a research assistant professor at the University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center, spoke about a recent retrofit in the state that transformed a dry pond into a working wetland system. Houle also discussed the cost associated with certain stormwater control measures and highlighted that some are far more inexpensive than others.
Another session focused specifically on agricultural NPS solutions in the Louisiana area. Buddy Oubre, owner of Buddy Oubre Farms in St. Martinville, shared how he stopped soil erosion and nutrient loss on his sugarcane farm by creating and implementing his own best management solution. Oubre successfully modified his cane harvester to reduce environmental impacts through soil conservation by applying extra biomass on the soil. By sharing his story with others, he hopes to inspire implementation of similar strategies that benefit local water quality.
Additional breakout sessions included Grants Reporting and Tracking System (GRTS) training, an orientation for early-career staff facilitated by the EPA, and a closed-door meeting for representatives from islands to discuss their unique needs. The workshop also featured dedicated tribal and nation sessions focused on specific topics such as program development, project implementation, and funding strategies.
The final day of the workshop kicked off with a presentation by James Williams, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation – a federally recognized tribe based in Oklahoma. Williams discussed several programs he implements within the community to engage and educate a new generation of environmental stewards.
Over the duration of the workshop, people from diverse backgrounds and regions came together to talk about a common goal – to help prevent pollutants from entering our waterways via nonpoint sources. The event brought unique individuals together, in-person, to discuss challenges, successes, and ideas to improve water quality for all.
Preceding the workshop, participants had the option to visit Louisiana State University’s Center for River Studies to experience its state-of-the-art interactive river model. The 10,000 square foot model brings the Mississippi River delta to life by replicating the flow, water levels and sediment transport, making it an ideal resource for students and scientists to conduct research on flooding and erosion control practices. Attendees learned about the Mississippi River, the local bayous, and issues facing the state such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and human encroachment.
The National Nonpoint Source Training Workshop is funded through a collaborative agreement between NEIWPCC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The next workshop is scheduled for 2027.