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Alaska Coastal Clean Water Plan (ACCWP)

What is the Alaska Coastal Clean Water Plan (ACCWP)?

The ACCWP is Alaska 's response to Section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990. Congress created Section 6217, titled "Protecting Coastal Waters", to help address coastal non-point source pollution problems nationwide.

Section 6217 requires that states with coastal management programs develop coastal non-point pollution control programs. These programs are meant to strengthen the links between coastal zone management and water quality management agencies to keep coastal waters clean. Congress did not expect states to develop new, stand-alone, non-point pollution programs. Rather, the coastal non-point pollution programs are to enhance existing state and local expertise and authorities.

The ACCWP received conditional approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1998.

Tools and Resources:

Alaska Best Management Practices for
Harbor, Marina and Boat Operations

Annotated bibliography of literature related to the effectiveness of the Alaska Forest Resources and Practices Act

6217 Public Education —

Alaska Municipal League Conference, Fairbanks (11/04) — ACMP Natural Resource Specialist discusses on-site-septic issues with Local Government Specialist Josie Hardy Bahnke of the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development. Photo by Sydney Mitchell.

DRAFT Plan:

Executive Summary
(PDF 215kb)

ACCWP DRAFT Plan (33.3 MB PDF)

Management Measures Summary
(Word)

What is Nonpoint Source Pollution?

Non-point source (NPS) pollution, or polluted runoff, generally results from land runoff, precipitation, atmospheric deposition, drainage, or seepage. Non-point sources commonly originate from urban development, road runoff, timber harvest practices, agricultural practices, and activities related to harbors and marinas. Examples include failing septic tanks, runoff and snowmelt carrying oil and grease into streams and poor construction of roads resulting in sediment and runoff. NPS differs from point source, which refers to facilities that discharge treated wastewater through a pipe or other discrete conveyance and go through a permitting process.

To learn more about Nonpoint Source Pollution:

Federal Nonpoint Source Program Requirements

Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program

Facts About The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program (NOAA)

Alaska's Clean Water Actions (ACWA)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

For more information on ACCWP contact:
Department of Natural Resources
Division of Coastal and Ocean Management (DCOM)
Dave Gann
Natural Resource Manager
(907) 465-3529