A computer-assisted nonpoint source pollution educational program (LEAPE), developed by Cornell's Department of Crop & Soil Sciences for local government officials in New York State, has been adapted for use in Puerto Rico, with emphasis on the critical issues of marina, on-site wastewater treatment, and stormwater runoff management.

Nonpoint source pollution has been documented as the major cause of the contamination of surface and groundwater in Puerto Rico. 87 percent of streams in Puerto Rico monitored for nutrients exceed total phosphorus concentration limits. Excessive phosphorus is attributed partially to releases from poorly maintained on-site wastewater treatment systems. The entire island of Puerto Rico is classified as a coastal zone. Shoreline and marina management, which include stormwater runoff and on-site wastewater treatment systems management, are critical to the island's fishing and tourism industry. The Agriculture Extension Service has been working with the State Health Department and the U.S. EPA to improve the private aqueducts of 300 communities that must achieve compliance with federal filtration and disinfection standards. Additional educational tools are needed to reach these and other audiences, such as local government officials, that are key to improving and protecting fresh and marine water resources.

The University of Puerto Rico Agriculture Extension Service reviewed Cornell's LEAPE program and obtained funding to adapt it by translating the content into Spanish and conforming local government management options to Puerto Rican standards, authorities, and legislation. Local digital data from the Puerto Rican Planning Board and other local sources was incorporated into the package. LEAPE Puerto Rico was piloted in a seminar attended by 16 people: two community leaders, two leaders from the agricultural sector, three from 4H, one from the Puerto Rican Health Department, three from the Puerto Rican Department of Permits and Regulations, one firefighter, one from the Puerto Rican Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, one municipal government official, and two Extension County Agents.

There were interesting questions related to the work of the Puerto Rican Planning Board and how it is incorporated into LEAPE Puerto Rico. Participants indicated that it is valuable to have all the maps and the information related to management options available in one place. The community leaders and farmer representatives liked the idea of local leaders establishing priorities and working with educators rather than regulators. The software is being installed in the offices of county agents. The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources has requested a presentation for the Association of Mayors.

Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources

• Rafael Davila-Lopez, Prof
• Yamil Toro, County Agent