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WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2013 – USDA and EPA announced today an
expanded partnership to support water quality trading and other market-based
approaches that provide benefits to the environment and economy.
The original
agreement, first announced in 2006 under the Bush Administration, outlined
a water quality trading strategy where farmers could take steps to improve
water quality and earn credits, which could then be traded with industrial or
municipal facilities that are required by the Clean Water Act and other laws to
reduce pollution in their wastewater.
"New water quality trading markets hold incredible
potential to benefit rural America by providing new income opportunities and
enhancing conservation of water and wildlife habitat," Agriculture
Secretary Tom Vilsack said. "Additionally, these efforts will strengthen
businesses across the nation by providing a new pathway to comply with regulatory
requirements."
"EPA is committed to finding collaborative solutions
that protect and restore our nation's waterways and the health of the
communities that depend on them," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.
"We're excited about partnering with USDA to expand support for water
quality trading, which shows that environmental improvements can mean a better
bottom line for farmers and ranchers."
The Obama administration says it believes cost savings and
other economic incentives are key motivators for parties engaged in trading.
Water quality trading can also provide additional environmental and economic
benefits, such as air quality improvements, enhanced wildlife habitat, carbon
capture and storage, and new income and employment opportunities for rural
America.
USDA and EPA will:
- Coordinate and enhance communications and outreach to
states, agricultural producers, regulated sources, and interested third parties
on water quality trading;
- Engage expertise across agencies in the review of grants,
loans or technical assistance programs focused on water quality trading;
- Share information on the development of rules and guidance
that have the potential to affect water quality trading;
- Collaborate on developing tools and information resources
for states and credit generators to guide decision making, reduce costs in
program design and implementation, improve environmental performance, and
foster consistency and integrity across regional initiatives;
- Co-host a workshop by 2015 to share tools and resources
available to assist in stakeholder decision-making and opportunities.
#30
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