MINIMIZING AGRICULTURAL NONPOINT-SOURCE IMPACTS - A SYMPOSIUM OVERVIEW

Increased public awareness of the role of agriculture and associated chemical use in nonpoint-source pollution has prompted an urgency in obtaining information on the impact of current and proposed agricultural management practices on water quality. Because of easier identification and control of point sources of pollution, agricultural nonpoint sources now account for a larger share of all discharges than a decade ago. Consequently, there is a need to identify critical sources for control; target specific controls for different water quality objectives within different watersheds; and evaluate and implement cost-effective management practices that minimize the potential loss of agricultural chemicals to surface and groundwaters. This paper provides a brief overview of agricultural nonpoint source issues and options presented at a special symposium, ''Minimizing Agricultural Nonpoint-Source Impacts,'' held during the American Society of Agronomy meetings in November 1992 and cosponsored by the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission. Several papers that were given at this symposium and presented in this issue are introduced.