Nutrient Trading

The Department of Natural Resources is forming a work group to create the framework for water quality trading in Missouri. Water quality trading is a market-based approach to improve and preserve water quality (See: http://water.epa.gov/type/watersheds/trading.cfm). We are seeking a broad-based group of interested parties from any community, group or organization to examine and make recommendations on the major factors to be used as the basis for trading. This framework may then be used to implement a pilot water quality trading program in Missouri.

The department anticipates the group will meet once a month in Jefferson City beginning in July and that reports will be provided to the Clean Water and Soil and Water District Commissions as we move forward. The first meeting is being scheduled and will be used to set the schedule for discussing individual factors and other logistical considerations for trading. We will set up a web page for this effort.

You may wish to read a recent report from Geosyntec which identified a number of the factors that should be considered in nutrient trading. For those interested, here is a link to the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy page and if you scroll down you will find a PowerPoint and audio presented by David Carani at the most recent nutrient loss reduction meeting. http://dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/mnrsc/index.htm 

The group will suggest policy and procedures on issues including: baselines, trading margins, trading areas, point to point source and point to non-point source trading, liability, monitoring and enforcement, trading ratios, market structures and transaction mechanisms.

If you are interested in participating in this work group, please RSVP by email to Malinda Overhoff at malinda.overhoff@dnr.mo.gov so that we can ensure you are included in notices and materials.

 

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