Implementing nonpoint source pollution programs: Results of interviews with agency professionals

Abstract

Nutrient pollution from agriculture remains a leading cause of water quality impairments in the United States despite decades of policy interventions. The authority to implement water quality policies falls to states with significant variation in the development and execution of programs designed to reduce nutrient pollution. Few have evaluated how states implement these programs, limiting insights into how policy actors can improve the design and delivery of water quality policies.

State agency professionals have unique insights into the implementation of programs designed to address nutrient runoff. We report on interviews with agency staff involved in six water quality programs across three U.S. states. We asked interviewees to reflect on the implementation of each program and share recommendations for how policies could be adapted to other states or contexts.

Respondents identified several insights relevant to successful policy implementation. They stressed the need for strong partnerships between state and local agencies, robust technical tools for monitoring and compliance, and adaptable strategies that account for regional and operational differences. Agency staff noted that voluntary policies are more politically feasible but less effective, while mandatory policies can achieve broader compliance when robust enforcement mechanisms are in place.

In addition to implementation challenges, the study notes gaps in equity in agricultural policies. Many programs fail to account for barriers faced by small-scale, minority, and underrepresented farmers, including limited access to land and resources. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers, emphasizing the importance of balancing flexibility and resource allocation to create more effective and sustainable water quality programs.