Section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 requires all states with a federally approved coastal zone management program to develop a Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program by July 1995. The Program must address polluted runoff for several sources and must have state level enforceable policies to ensure implementation of management measures for each source category. The implications for agriculture, traditionally a lesser regulated source category than most, are discussed. Existing statutes, rules, and programs within North Carolina authorities are examined and compared to federal requirements contained in the Guidance Document issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. Where existing authorities may not fulfill the federal requirements, options for filling in the gaps are examined. The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program is the first federal program to mandate a cross-the-board best management practices. The agricultural community in North Carolina implements sound management practices on a primarily voluntary basis, and has only recently had mandates issued in areas such as animal waste management. Implications for the agricultural sector are discussed, as well as ways to implement the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program through various economic incentives. Recommendations are made to the Division of Coastal Management and the Division of Environmental Management on steps to be taken during the program development and implementation. The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program will address nonpoint runoff, but exactly how the implementation will take place is uncertain.