Today, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Water Quality Division (WQD) released the 2018 Annual Report for the Wyoming Nonpoint Source Program.
The Wyoming Nonpoint Source Program works through voluntary and incentive methods to preserve and restore the quality of Wyoming’s surface and groundwater resources. To do this, the program relies on the voluntary implementation of nonpoint source pollution reduction projects by individual landowners, local groups, and other state, local, and federal government agencies in a cooperative effort to address water quality improvements on a watershed scale.
Nonpoint source pollution occurs when runoff from rainfall or snowmelt travels over and/or infiltrates through the ground and picks up contaminants. These contaminants are deposited into streams, lakes, rivers, and groundwater.
“This report highlights the hard work this program and stakeholders have put into improving Wyoming’s waterways,” said Jennifer Zygmunt, DEQ Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator. “These voluntary efforts go a long way.”
Some of this year’s report highlights include:
- new and completed projects;
- nonpoint source pollution challenges in Wyoming and actions being taken to address them;
- updated program metrics from 1999 to 2018; and
- the successful restoration of over 36 miles of the North Platte River in 2018.
According to Zygmunt, this year’s report is now available online in a story map format. “This new format makes it easier for the public to access the report and helps us better tell our story using photos, maps, and videos.”
The 2018 Annual Report for the Wyoming Nonpoint Source Program can be viewed by clicking here.
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