Non-point to non-point phosphorus trading

[Kevin Erb]

Situation: A livestock expansion is proposed in a non-TMDL area. One idea being tossed around is non-point to non-point phosphorus trading. If a facility wanted to expand or locate into the County they would have to offset their modeled phosphorus loss by purchasing or obtaining credits within that watershed. It would be a pre-emptive TMDL. Any precedent for such an approach that you know of? Point to non-point trading is common, but how about non-point to non-point? Basically, a new or expanded facility would be creating an incentive for others in the watershed to reduce their phosphorus losses.

[brad spicer]

We do not have any non-point source to non-point source trading being implemented in Louisiana.

Brad Spicer

[Mark Bostrom]

That’s an interesting question. Montana DEQ has a nutrient trading policy that allows for NPS to NPS trading in pre-TMDL watersheds. However, the policy has only been used a couple of times for trades and neither of those were NPS to NPS.

For more information on Montana’s Nutrient Trading Policy please contact tteegarden@mt.gov

Mark Bostrom
Administrator
DNRC/CARDD

[Author]

Posts