Nutrient Trading is a voluntary program designed to identify and finance the most cost-effective solutions to reduce nutrient loads in a watershed. The program allows nutrient generating sources such as wastewater treatment plants to meet nutrient reduction requirements by acquiring nutrient reduction credits from another source like a farming operation.

Credits are generated when a source reduces its nutrient loads to a greater extent than is required. To generate reduction credits a nonpoint source, a farm for example, must first ensure that it is meeting baseline compliance, and then that it is meeting minimum requirements referred to as “threshold.” The installation of BMPs, which are above these baseline and “threshold” requirements, can then generate credits that are eligible for sale.

Nutrient Trading in PA Positively Impacting the Chesapeake Bay

April 16, 2010 Workshop/Tour at the Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, PA. Sponsored by PACD.

Brochure on Nutrient Trading:

• Pennsylvania’s Nutrient Trading Program: Opportunities for Farmers to Gain Revenue while Improving Water Quality
  

Fact Sheets on Nutrient Trading:

• Nutrient Trading Program
• Nutrient Trading in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: What is Your Role as a Conservation District?
• Nutrient Trading: Credit Generation – Berks County Pilot Project
• Nutrient Trading: Credit Generation – Dauphin County Pilot Project
• Nutrient Trading: Credit Generation – Lancaster County Pilot Project