MINIMIZING AGRICULTURAL NONPOINT-SOURCE IMPACTS - A SYMPOSIUM OVERVIEW

Increased public awareness of the role of agriculture and associated c hemical use in nonpoint-source pollution has prompted an urgency in ob taining information on the impact of current and proposed agricultural management practices on water quality. Because of easier identificati on and control of point sources of pollution, agricultural nonpoint so urces now account for a larger share of all discharges than a decade a go. Consequently, there is a need to identify critical sources for con trol; 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 ov erview of agricultural nonpoint source issues and options presented at a special symposium, ''Minimizing Agricultural Nonpoint-Source Impact s,'' held during the American Society of Agronomy meetings in November 1992 and cosponsored by the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission. Se veral papers that were given at this symposium and presented in this i ssue are introduced.