Water quality impairments in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs due to excess nutrients is a common problem throughout the United States. Water quality trading has proven to be an effective element of programs to reduce nutrients discharges to impaired waters cost-effectively. An October 2017 report of the U.S. Government Accountability Office identified the three states-Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Virginia-that had the highest volume of nutrient credits exchanged in 2014. This article evaluates the factors responsible for successful water quality trading programs in these states. Although they employ different implementation methodologies, they share three key factors. First, each is based on defensible consensus water quality goals. Second, each state established clear legal authority for its trading program. Third, each state designed its water quality trading program to be efficient and predictable for stakeholders.
展开▼
