Since then, South Dakota has been a consistent regional and national leader in nonpoint source pollution control. The SD nonpoint source program, as a component of the Watershed Protection Program, is built on voluntary participation and local leadership. The program is designed to reduce and prevent water pollutant loadings to rivers, lakes, wetlands and groundwaters so that water quality standards are met and the assigned beneficial uses are supported. All projects are sponsored by local entities such as Conservation Districts, Water Development Districts or communities. The Watershed Protection Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources provides leadership, technical, planning, and financial support along with information and education assistance to local project sponsors.
Project management is the responsibility of the local sponsors.
Beginning with FY97, the process became noncompetitive and relies on a national formula for distribution of 319 funds. There may also be some funds redistributed from Wyoming and North Dakota's allocations. South Dakota's nonpoint source program has some relatively unique aspects which contribute to its success. The first is the existence and composition of the Nonpoint Source Task Force. This task force is an ad hoc group, first formed in 1988, that acts in an advisory capacity to the Watershed Program.