1. Legal Tools for Reducing HABs In Lake Erie
Kenneth Kilbert
University of Toledo College of Law
March 2012

2. Point v. Nonpoint “Point source” Nonpoint source
Clean Water Act § 502(14): any discernible, confined, discrete conveyance
Nonpoint source
Undefined: diffuse sources other than point
Legal distinction is critical
Points heavily regulated (NPDES permit, etc.)
Nonpoints not so much

3. Federal Nonpoint Source Programs
Clean Water Act
Section 208
Section 319
Coastal Zone Management Act
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program

4. Ohio Agricultural Nonpoint Source Authorities
ORC ch. 903 and CAFFs
Ohio Admin. Code 901:10
Permit To Install, Permit To Operate
ORC ch and Agricultural Pollution Abatement Program
Ohio Admin. Code 1501:15-5
BMPs, “distressed watershed”, cost-sharing

5. Recommendations Agriculture Water quality trading
Designate more “distressed watersheds”
Rules setting minimum BMPs, streamlining enforcement
Amend “CAFF” definition
Water quality trading
Ban phosphorus lawn fertilizer
Numeric water quality standards

6. Recommendations (Cont.)
More TMDLs
Strengthen NPDES permits
Home sewage treatment systems
Restrict open lake disposal
Limit phosphate addition to water systems
Attain final approval of Ohio CNPCP plan
Prioritize grant funding