Collaborative Approaches to Reducing Excess Nutrients

The EPA has supported the use of water quality trading, offsets and similar programs for achieving compliance with the regulatory requirements of the Clean Water Act for many years.  In partnership with stakeholders and other federal agencies, the EPA has renewed this effort to leverage emerging technologies and facilitate broader adoption of market-based programs in the near-term.

• Creating a Framework for Market-based Approaches
• Nutrient Reduction Case Studies
• Collaborating with Stakeholders

Creating a Framework for Market-based Approaches

• EPA Financing Available to Support Market-Based Water Quality Improvement Programs Memo (pdf) (164.35 KB, September 30, 2020)
  • EPA Water Finance Support to Nutrient Credit Markets (pdf) (3.8 MB, 09/30/2020)
  • Section 319 and Nutrient Credits (pdf) (153.97 KB, 09/30/2020)
  • Water Quality Trading to Meet Local and Regional Goals (pdf) (3.17 MB, 09/30/2020)
• Press Release: EPA Seeks Comment on New Policy Proposals to Facilitate Market-Based Opportunities to Improve Water Quality (September 5, 2019)
• Press Release: EPA Announces New Water Quality Trading Policy Memorandum (February 6, 2019)
  • Water Quality Trading Policy to Promote Market-Based Mechanisms for Improving Water Quality (February 6, 2019)
  • Next Steps in EPA’s Nutrient Engagement
  • Public Webinar on EPA’s Water Quality Trading (March 5, 2019)
• Map of existing CWA water quality trading in the U.S.
• Water Quality Trading FAQs

Nutrient Reduction Case Studies

These case studies highlight efforts nationwide to use market-based approaches to reduce excess nutrients.

• Cattle Grazing Land Leasing Program - Everglades, South Florida
• Dixie Drain Phosphorus Removal Facility - Boise, Idaho
• NEW Water Silver Creek Pilot Project - Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Stormwater Retention Credit (SRC) Program - Washington, D.C.
• Yahara Watershed Improvement Network (Yahara WINS) - Wisconsin

Collaborating with Stakeholders

• Press Release: EPA Signs MOU with The Water Research Foundation Advancing Nutrient Management Efforts (February 1, 2019)
  • EPA Memorandum of Understanding with The Water Research Foundation Advancing Nutrient Management Efforts
• Press Release: EPA and USDA Encourage Use of Market-based and Other Collaborative Approaches to Address Excess Nutrients (December 4, 2018)
  • Sample letter sent to state environmental and agricultural programs (December 4, 2018)