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A New Research Initiative to Evaluate the Role of Wetlands in a National Water Quality Trading Program
Background- As pointed out by Raffini, there have been numerous pilot projects involving point/point source trading, but point/nonpoint source trading has been slower to get underway. More widespread implementation of watershed-scale trading could create opportunities to restore and/or construct wetlands as a means to generate pollutant reduction credits. Strategically located and designed wetlands could be used to improve water quality through the capture of nutrients and sediment, generating water quality credits that could be used by permitted dischargers to comply with NPDES permit limits. Taking full advantage of this opportunity could achieve water quality goals at lower cost while attaining the President’s goal to restore, improve and protect at least three million additional acres of wetlands. The work proposed in this joint Office of Research (ORD), Office of Water (OW), Regional initiative is central to answering the science questions necessary to meet and evaluate the goal of including wetlands in a National water quality trading program. The work proposed here will contribute to goals 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the top ten OWOW research needs. It will also leverage the proposed work of the new isolated wetlands and headwaters research initiative. We will attempt where possible to leverage this work with the ongoing work of the USDA ARS CREP program.
Proposed Initial Studies
Year 1-2:
- Organize a workgroup comprised of wetland scientists, hydrologists, economists, policy experts, modelers and other experts to develop a comprehensive research strategy.
- Conduct a science review and feasibility study and identify critical knowledge gaps.
- Conduct an experts workshop and publish the proceedings.
- Develop a STAR grant RFP with NCER to elicit the help of the academic community to address research gaps.
- Organize, collate and leverage ongoing EPA, USDA and USGS wetlands and trading research.
YEAR 2-5:
- Continue and expand ORD research to address critical knowledge gaps.
- Design and test a pilot water quality trading program incorporating wetlands.
- Evaluate the pilot studies. And use the results to incorporate wetlands into a National water quality trading program.
Contact: Joseph Schubauer-Berigan, 513/569-7734, (EIMS#136283)