Together with its partners, Environmental Trading Network, the International Certified Crop Advisers, the Water Environment Federation, and the Maryland Departments of Agriculture and the Environment, Conservation Technology Information Center will host this interactive event at Chesapeake College to complement Maryland’s public outreach on its newly developed nonpoint-source trading program.
WHEN: March 4 and 5, 2009
WHERE: Chesapeake College Higher Education Center, Wye Mills, MD
Water quality trading is a market-based approach to improve water quality. It is an innovative, voluntary tool that connects industrial and municipal facilities (point sources) with agricultural producers or other landowners (nonpoint sources) to economically achieve water quality improvements and to accommodate growth. It is a flexible and cost-effective approach for maintaining, restoring, or enhancing water quality.
Workshop planners hope to increase awareness of water quality trading in Maryland, and improve understanding of the voluntary process among agricultural producers and their advisors, wastewater treatment representatives, and potential “aggregators” (organizations that serve as a kind of broker,facilitating trading).
Expert speakers will include MDE and MDA program representatives, water quality trading policy and program experts, credit aggregators, wastewater treatment plant representatives and agriculture interests. They will introduce the concepts, benefits and challenges of trading and the steps involved in trading specifically geared to Maryland’s nonpoint source trading policy. The training will include breakout sessions to give participants specific skills to develop or participate in the Maryland trading program. Case studies from other states will be highlighted so participants can learn from existing trading programs.
For more information or to register for the workshop contact CTIC at 765-494-9555 or ctic@conservationinformation.org.
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