About the Program
Guam’s Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program is one of three programs under Guam EPA’s Environmental Monitoring and Analytical Services (EMAS) Division. In 2022, the former NPS program was renamed the Permits and Watershed Management (PWM) Program and reorganized into three sections. The mission of the program is to analyze and summarize water quality data to make designated use determinations and address impairments by managing projects to correct impairments and provide timely and technical reviews of documents to support Agency determinations. Table 1 discusses these three sections within the PWM Program and their associated activities and goals.
Table 1. Permits and Watershed Management Program (formerly the NPS Program)
| Reports and Assessment | Integrated Report (IR) CWA §106 and CWA §319 Guam Consolidated Grant | -CWA §303(d) Threatened and Impaired Waters List -CWA §305(b) National Water Quality Inventory | Every 2 years: -Submit IR to US EPA -Develop a §303(d) list of Guam's threatened and impaired waters for US EPA approval -Submit §305(b) Water Quality Inventory to US EPA |
| Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) Watershed Based Plans CWA §319 Guam Consolidated Grant/Technical Assistance Funding | -Develop US EPA approvable TMDLs -Develop a scope of work for project and implement activities to improve the water quality of impaired waterbodies and to restore watersheds | ||
| Guam Water Quality Standards (GWQS) CWA §106 | -Review GWQS triennially and propose updates to standards -Adjudicate revision of GWQS as required | ||
| Permit Review (WALTERS) Water, Air, Land Territorial Electronic Record System | CWA §401 Water Quality Certification | US ACE Nationwide Permit (NWP) / Individual Permit US EPA NPDES Permit | Certify federal projects authorizing discharges into waters of the US |
| Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Reviews | Provide environmental reviews | ||
| Federal Consistency Review and Response | Implement federal consistency regulation | ||
| Wetland delineation/verification | Implement Guam EPA wetland mapping policy | ||
| Watershed Management | CWA §319 Projects | -Comply with GWQS -Improve, restore, maintain and protect surface and marine water quality -Restore watersheds -Promote public awareness | |
| Engage with partner organizations to restore watersheds and reduce NPS pollution in surface and marine waters | -WPC -Guam Nature Alliance (GNA) -NGLA Technical Working Group -Soil and Water Conservation Districts (North and South) -GWA | -Develop Watershed Management Plans and implement watershed restoration projects -Facilitate/leverage partnerships to implement NPS projects -Reestablish public outreach activities via the GNA -Reduce the number of septic tabk leaching field systems by increasing homeowner participation in GWA's Wastewater Revolving Loan Fund Program | |
A copy of Guam’s approved 2025-2030 Nonpoint Source Management Plan can be found here.
It provides information about Guam’s Nonpoint Source Program history, primary causes of NPS pollution, the PWM Program’s Water restoration and protection goals, overview of proposed activities, and program partnerships.
Program related links:
CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certification