USDA Supports Water Quality Trading

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2003—The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service joined the Environmental Protection Agency at the National Press Club in support of new water quality trading policy that will improve the quality of our nation’s water.

USDA welcomes the opportunity to work with EPA, states, tribes and other jurisdictions to establish water quality trading programs that will be effective, farmer friendly and scientifically sound.

“This policy will provide market-based incentives to encourage America’s farmers, ranchers and woodlot owners and operators to do even more to maintain and improve the quality of our environment,” said Bruce Knight, NRCS Chief. “NRCS will work to help farmers and ranchers use environmental trading to enhance our nation’s water quality.”

USDA agencies such as NRCS, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service and Agricultural Research Service have the technical skills and expertise to assist with many aspects of water quality trading, including technical assistance on conservation practices, locally led outreach and education, modeling and environmental assessment issues and technology transfer.

For more information on the policy, visit EPA’s trading website at http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/trading.htm. States, tribes and other jurisdictions interested in establishing water quality trading programs are encouraged to contact USDA officials in NRCS, CSREES and ARS in their locality.

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