The 9-Element NPS-IS is a strategic plan that provides assurance to nonpoint source grant programs and institutions (i.e., U.S. EPA) that, as described, a proposed water quality project meets the 9 Essential Elements per U.S. EPA §319 Program Guidance (April 2013).

For a project to be eligible for Ohio EPA Section 319 Funding, a proposed project must be described in a U.S. EPA-approved 9-Element NPS-IS for the HUC-12 watershed in which the project is located.

The NPS-IS ensures that potentially funded projects are: rooted in the best science available; located in areas that will address the worst problems; and that have the administrative, evaluation, and educational components needed to ensure that the water resource will achieve as much long term benefit as possible.

The NPS-IS is a living strategic planning document that summarizes causes and sources of impairment, establishes critical areas, identifies quantifiable objectives to address causes and sources of impairment, and describes projects designed to meet those objectives.

Each NPS-IS is unique at the HUC-12 Watershed Assessment Unit (WAU) scale. The NPS-IS is designed to evolve as projects come and go. Likewise, every updated version (containing new projects, new data, and or changes to critical areas, goals and objectives) must be reviewed and approved by Ohio EPA.

• NEW! Useful Maps and GIS data layers to aid in development and updates of NPS-ISs
• FINAL Template with Descriptions for Ohio's Nonpoint Source Pollution Implementation Strategies (NPS-IS), 7/25/16 [PDF] [DOCX] 
• Guide to Developing Nine-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategic Plans in Ohio, 8/30/16 (This guidance is under review, September 2020)
• Critical Source Area Identification and BMP Selection: Supplement to Watershed Planning Handbook
• Historical References — Watershed Action Plans 
  These references are provided because the information included in them may be useful when developing 9-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategies and are not to be considered as equivalent to approved 9-Element Strategic Implementation Plans  
• Interactive Map of 9-Element Plans in Ohio 
• Developing Nine-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategic Plans (NPS-IS) in Ohio
  Presented by the Ohio Stormwater Association, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Soil and Water Conservation and the Ohio EPA.
  • September 30, 2020 Webinar Video, Presentation Slides
  • October 7, 2020 Webinar Video Only