Nonpoint Source Planning
What's New
- The Nonpoint Source Planning Branch is excited to announce that Stephanie Stephens has joined our team as the new High Rock Lake Nutrient Strategy Coordinator. She will be picking up on the great progress made by the previous Coordinator, Joey Hester, engaging with stakeholders and taking draft rules forward for adoption. Stephanie can be reached at 919-707-3675 or stephanie.stephens@deq.nc.gov.
- The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Division of Water Resources (DWR) solicited proposals for the Fiscal Year 2026 Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grant from March 6 to May 29, 2026. Submitted proposals are currently under review.
Nonpoint source pollution, or polluted runoff, occurs when water picks up pollutants from surfaces like rooftops, roads, constructions sites, and farms, then carries them into groundwater, lakes, rivers, and estuaries. This pollution, which can include sediments, nutrients, and metals, is the leading cause of water quality degradation in North Carolina and nationwide, affecting waters used for fishing, swimming, and drinking.
The Nonpoint Source Planning Branch manages the state’s pollution control efforts in two main ways. First, it leads the development and oversight of nutrient strategies to restore key waters like the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse Estuaries and Falls and Jordan Lakes. Second, it oversees federal grants supporting planning and restoration projects: the 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant and 205(j) Watershed Planning Grant.
In addition to these direct efforts, 319-funded and other staff across various state agencies work together to carry out USEPA’s charge for states to manage nonpoint source pollution in a planned and coordinated manner. This approach is outlined in North Carolina’s Nonpoint Source Management Plan (2018).
Staff Contacts
| Name | Position | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Gannon | Supervisor, Nonpoint Source Planning Branch. Lead staff implementing Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Jordan, Falls High Rock and other nutrient strategies. Lead staff administering federal Clean Water Act 319 and 205j grants. | Rich.Gannon@deq.nc.gov | 919-707-3673 |
| Rishi Bastakoti | Administers 319(h) Grant Program. Assists 205(j) Grant Administrator. NC Nonpoint Source Program planning. | Rishi.Bastakoti@deq.nc.gov | 919-707-3623 |
| Trish D'Arconte | Nutrient strategies coordination and technical support: Jordan/Falls Stormwater Accounting Tool expert; develops crediting specifications for nutrient practices; develops nutrient trading framework; support to Jordan and Falls Lakes nutrient rules implementation. | Trish.Darconte@deq.nc.gov | 919-707-3678 |
| Robin Hoffman | 205j Water Quality Planning Grant Coordinator; assists with administration of the 319(h) Grant Program. | Robin.Hoffman@deq.nc.gov | 919-707-3643 |
| John Huisman | Coordinates nutrient rules re-adoption process and Jordan and Falls Lakes nutrient strategies implementation. Develops credit specifications for nutrient practices. | John.Huisman@deq.nc.gov | 919-707-3677 |
| Eleanor Rauh | Coordinates implementation of Jordan nutrient strategy. Coordinates Nutrient Scientific Advisory Board. | Ellie.Rauh@deq.nc.gov | 919-707-3672 |
| Stephanie Stephens | Coordinates the High Rock Lake nutrient rules adoption process and nutrient strategies implementation. | Stephanie.Stephens@deq.nc.gov | 919-707-3675 |
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