U.S Policies and Guidance for Water Quality Trading

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA WQT Regulations & Guidance:

• (2020) EPA Paper: Water Quality Trading on a Watershed Scale
• (2019) EPA Current WQT Policy: Updating the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Water Quality Trading Policy to Promote Market-Based Mechanisms for Improving Water Quality
• (2013) EPA confirms WQT is consistent with Clean Water Act: Senate Hearing 113-700
• (2009) EPA Updated WQT Toolkit for Permit Writers : Water Quality Trading Toolkit for Permit Writers.
• (2008) EPA Report: Water Quality Trading Evaluation:Final Report.
• (2007) EPA Report: Wetlands and Water Quality Trading:Review of Current Science and Economic Practices with Selected Case Studies: Review of Current Science and Economic Practices with Selected Case Studies.
• (2004) EPA Assessment Handbook:Water Quality Trading Assessment Handbook: Can Water Quality Trading Advance Your Watershed's Goals?.
• (2003) Original WQT Policy Final Water Quality Trading Policy: Federal Register Issuance.

EPA WQT Resources:

• EPA Water Quality Trading Basics and Policy Resources Webpage: EPA Water Quality Trading Trading Basics and Policy Resources Webpage
• EPA Progress Map of Numeric Criteria for Nutrogen and Phosphorus: State Development of Numeric Criteria
• EPA Report: State Adoption of Numeric Nutrient Standards: 1998-2008
• EPA FAQ Webpage: Frequently Asked Questions about Water Quality Trading.
• EPA Case Study Factsheets:
  • Long Island Sound (Connecticut).
  • Rahr Malting Company (Minnesota).
  • Neuse River Compliance Association (North Carolina).
  • Tualitan River Watershed (Oregon).
  • Chesapeake Bay Watershed (Virginia) 

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA Guidance and Resources for Environmental Markets

• USDA-EPA Water Quality Trading Roadmap: USDA-EPA Water Quality Trading Roadmap
• USDA Office of Environmental Markets Webpage: USDA Office of Environmental Markets
• USDA Water Quality Markets: USDA Water Quality Markets Webpage
• (2016) EPA/USDA Blog: EPA and USDA Pledge Actions to Support America’s Growing Water Quality Trading Markets
• (2015) EPA-USDA Report: EPA-USDA National Workshop on Water Quality Markets

USDA Tools for Environmental Markets

• Nutrient Tracking Tool (NTT) for Quantifying Sediment and Nutrient Loss from Cropland and Pasture: Nutrient Tracking Tool