Nonpoint Source Guidance and Technical Assistance
Best Management Practice (BMP) is a term used to describe pollution control systems that treat, slow, divert, or capture nonpoint source pollutants. BMPs are the actions on the ground that help to improve and restore water quality. Identifying the appropriate BMPs is critical to a successful watershed plan or implementation plan. The BMPs that are selected depends on the type of nonpoint source pollution of concern, the land use and the management goal (for example, meeting a reduction goal).
Nonpoint Source Best Management Practices Eligible for WQIP Funding
View this table for the list of the Nonpoint Source Best Management Practices Available for WQIP Funding (PDF).
BMP Catalogues
Listed below are the BMP catalogues approved by the Nonpoint Source Program and consistent with Clean Water Act Section 319. Each BMP document describes practices, life spans, cost, effectiveness, pollutants captured, and operation and maintenance. These references may help to guide selection of BMPs to be included in watershed plans, implementation plans, project proposals or funding applications to restore or protect waters.
| Catalogue Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Best Management Practice Systems Catalogue (PDF) |
Agricultural conservation management systems and component practices, including management system lifespans |
| Beach Restoration Practices to Reduce Bacteria and Nutrient Loading (PDF) | Management practices that reduce the volume of contaminated stormwater runoff that drains into nearshore waters or reduce the presence of nuisance wildlife are eligible for Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) funding |
| Construction Management Practices Catalogue (PDF) |
Management practices for controlling nonpoint source pollution from construction sites |
| Cornell Local Roads Manual (PDF) | Practices for maintaining road and road ditch integrity |
| Environmentally Sensitive Road Maintenance Practices for Dirt and Gravel Roads Manual (PDF) | Guidance for visual identification of the most commonly encountered road problems |
| Hydrologic and Habitat Modification Management Practices Catalogue (PDF) |
Practices for nonpoint pollution from eroding stream banks, scouring or filling flood control channels, excessively high or low flows from reservoir releases, or insufficiently circulating water impoundments |
| Priority In-Waterbody Best Management Practices to reduce phosphorus loading (PDF) | For waterbodies experiencing excessive algae and plant growth, low water clarity, and other impairments due to internal cycling of nutrients (primarily phosphorus), practices to reduce internal cycling of nutrients that are eligible for Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) funding |
| Leaks, Spills and Accidents Management Practice Catalogue (PDF) |
Practices for chemical and petroleum bulk storage facilities and transportation |
| Marina Operations for Existing Facilities (PDF) |
Methods of handling water runoff and ways to prevent substances commonly found at marinas from contaminating waterways |
| NYS Natural Resource Conservation Service Technical Guide-Conservation Practices (leaves DEC website; select NYS, then your county, go to Section IV) |
Technical information about the conservation of soil, water, air, and related plant and animal resources |
| NYS Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Controls (bluebook) |
Standards and specification for soil and sediment controls for construction activities |
| Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Management Practices Catalogue (PDF) |
Management practices for failing onsite septic systems |
| Roadway and Right-Of-Way Maintenance Management Practices Catalogue (PDF) |
Practices for transportation and utilities right-of-way management |
| Rural Roads Active Management Program Manual (PDF) | Practices for erosion and sediment control on rural roads |
| NYS Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality Field Guide | Forest resource management practices |
| Stream Corridor Management: A Basic Reference Manual (PDF) |
Techniques for assessing land use impacts on streams and steps to implement best management practices for stream protection |
| Stormwater Management Design Manual | Stormwater management practices, including: size, design, selection and location to comply with State stormwater performance standards |
| Quick Reference Guide for Best Management Practices | Nonpoint Source BMPs to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment loads to the Chesapeake Bay and its local waters |
The New York Nonpoint Source Program also has approved additional BMPs, control measures and guidance; these are identified with links, in Appendix A of the 2020 New York State Nonpoint Source Management Program (PDF).
BMP Efficiency
BMPs may be selected because of the resource area (lake, river, wetland), land use (agriculture, urban), to address a specific pollutant or to achieve a management goal (e.g., meet a pollutant reduction goal). A lot of research has been done to determine how efficient a BMP is at treating or capturing pollutants from impacting or reaching waterbodies. These efficiencies may be achieved if the BMPs have been appropriately sized, constructed and maintained.
Excess nutrients and sediments can harm waterbodies. The water quality goal for many watershed plans or projects is to identify BMPs that will reduce the amount of these pollutants in the watershed. When developing a watershed plan, it is important to understand what the current pollutant loads are and what practices will achieve the reductions needed to restore water quality. To ensure consistency when estimating potential load reductions for selected BMPs, DEC has developed the table below with accepted efficiencies for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment for commonly implemented practices. Please note that efficiencies are provided as an average; efficiencies may vary depending on the soils, slope, geology or rainfall within the area where the practice is installed.
For more information about the agriculture and urban management practice efficiencies go to the Chesapeake Bay Assessment Scenario Tool (leaves DEC website).
| Management Practice | Land Use | Average Nitrogen Efficiency (%) | Average Phosphorus Efficiency (%) | Average Sediment Efficiency (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnyard runoff control (roofs and covers) | Agriculture | 20% | 20% | 40% |
| Bioretention/raingarden with underdrain | Urban | 80% | 85% | 90 |
| Bioretention/raingarden with underdrain, A/B soil | Urban | 70% | 75% | 80% |
| Bioretention/raingarden with underdrain, C/D soil | Urban | 25% | 45% | 55% |
| Bioswale | Urban | 70% | 75% | 80% |
| Cover crop | Agriculture | 25% | 11% | 15% |
| Dirt and gravel road erosion and sediment control | --- | --- | --- | 2.77 lbs/ft |
| Stream Restoration/Stabilization | --- | 0.075 lbs/ft | 0.068 lbs/ft | 248 lbs/ft |
| Dry ponds | Urban | 20% | 45% | 60% |
| Infiltration trench | Urban | 85% | 85% | 95% |
| Permeable pavement with underdrain, A/B soil and sand | Urban | 80% | 85% | 90% |
| Permeable pavement without underdrain, A/B soil and sand | Urban | 70% | 75% | 80% |
| Permeable pavement without underdrain, C/D soil and sand | Urban | 20% | 20% | 55% |
| Prescribed grazing/rotational grazing | Agriculture | 10% | 24% | 30% |
| Filter strip/vegetated swale | Urban | 38% | 42% | 56% |
| Riparian forest buffer | Agriculture | 42% | 38% | 50% |
| Riparian grass buffer | Agriculture | 30% | 38% | 50% |
| Rooftop runoff disconnection | Urban | 70% | 75% | 80% |
| Septic connection | --- | 100% | 100% | --- |
| Septic pumping | --- | 5% | --- | --- |
| Stream fencing | Agriculture | 30% | 38% | 50% |
| Wet ponds and wetlands | Urban | 20% | 45% | 60% |
| Wetland restoration | Agriculture | 42% | 40% | 31% |
Pollutant Load Reduction Calculator
There are many methods or models that may be used to estimate nonpoint source pollutant load reductions. The EPA Region 5 Spreadsheet Tool for Estimating Pollutant Load (STEPL) (leaves DEC website) model may be used.
DEC has developed a simple spreadsheet calculator for applicants of the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) funding program. Applicants can download the Pollutant Load Reduction Calculator Instructions (PDF) and corresponding Pollutant Load Reduction Calculator Spreadsheet (Excel) that can be used to compare estimated pollutant load reductions for different project types or locations and assist with developing an application for funding.
