Previously Issued EPA Nutrient Reduction Policies and Supporting Documents

Over the past three decades, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed, published and supported nutrient reduction policies along with technical and programmatic resources to reduce nutrient pollution and improve water quality. These documents have provided states, Tribes, and territories with guidance and recommendations on development and adoption of numeric nutrient criteria, nutrient reduction frameworks, water quality trading, and other market-based programs to maximize pollutant reduction efforts and improve water quality.

September 2020

• 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)
  • Materials presented by the Electric Power Research Institute at the Fall 2020 Hypoxia Task Force meeting: Water Quality Trading to Meet Local and Regional Goals (pdf) (3.17 MB, 09/30/2020)

February 2019

• Water Quality Trading Policy to Promote Market-Based Mechanisms for Improving Water Quality

January 2019

• EPA Memorandum of Understanding with The Water Research Foundation Advancing Nutrient Management Efforts

December 2018

• Sample Letter Sent to State Environmental and Agricultural Programs

September 2016

• Renewed Call to Action to Reduce Nutrient Pollution and Support for Incremental Actions to Protect Water Quality and Public Health

March 2011

• Working in Partnership with States to Address Phosphorus and Nitrogen Pollution through Use of a Framework for State Nutrient Reductions

August 2009

• An Urgent Call to Action: Report of the State-EPA Nutrient Innovations Task Group (pdf)
• Nutrient Innovations Task Group, Report Fact Sheet (pdf)

May 2007

• Nutrient Pollution and Numeric Water Quality Standards (pdf)

November 2001

• Development and Adoption of Nutrient Criteria into Water Quality Standards (pdf)

June 1998

• Fact Sheet: National Strategy for the Development of Regional Nutrient Criteria
• Report: National Strategy for the Development of Regional Nutrient Criteria