This paper discusses the establishment and administration of Areawide Water Quality Management Plans by Designated Planning Agencies, provided by Section 208 of the Federal Clean Water Act. Governors of states that have statewide water quality management plans in effect appoint designated Planning Agencies. Designated Planning Agencies may be a county, a group of counties or a regional planning entity recognized by the participating governing bodies. Areawide Water Quality Management Plans often called "208 Plans", deal with characterization, policies, objectives and goals associated with clean water issues. Wastewater Management Plans (WMPs), often called "201 plans", deal with wastewater treatment and its associated infrastructure. WMPs are modified and incorporated into areawide plans through the continuing planning process. The paper presents a case study of Monmouth County, New Jersey's Areawide Water Quality Management Plan. It had been adopted and incorporated into New Jersey's Statewide Water Quality Management Plan in 1978 but had been administered at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) until 1997 when Monmouth County was declared a Designated Planning Agency by New Jersey's governor. During NJDEP's administrative tenure, twelve Wastewater Management Plans had been approved, amended and incorporated into Monmouth County's Areawide Water Quality Management Plan.