BMP Longevity: A Pilot Study 1990

Published:

September 1, 1990

Originator:

Chesapeake Bay Program

The U.S.Environmental Protection Agency in its ongoing efforts to improve the technical basis for NPS management perceived a need for research initiatives that consider BMP longevity. Three offices collaborated in designing and guiding the present study: The Chesapeake Bay Liaison Office (CBLO), the Office of Program Policy and Evaluation and Office of Water. The primary goal of this pilot analysis to consider the relative effectiveness of Best Management Practices (BMP) for control of agricultural nonpoint source pollution after they have been in use for some time. In addition, the study:

1. identifies and describes time associated factors which affect BMP effectiveness;

2. evaluates operation and maintenance (O&M) activities that can extend the lifetime of BMPs; and

3. develops a methodology for qualitiatively assessing BMP long-term effectiveness in the field.