EPA is hosting a National Forum on Water Quality Trading, in downtown Chicago on July 22-23, 2003.
The forum will provide information on EPA's water quality trading policy and will feature speaker from the agricultural community, state environmental agencies, municipal and industrial dischargers, and other watershed interests.
The goals of the National Forum on Water Quality Trading are that participants will gain:
• An understanding, through case study presentations and dialogue, of the economic and environmental benefits that trading can provide;
• Enhance their knowledge of how trading is implemented "on the ground," including the needs and roles of various trading partners and implementing agencies;
• Become familiar with technical and operational challenges for trading programs and some approaches to addressing these as trading moves forward; and
• Come away better prepared to implement or participate in trading programs where trading can achieve water quality goals more collaboratively and cost-effectively.
Those encouraged to attend include state and interstate water quality managers, agricultural associations and technical service providers, municipalities, water/wastewater utility managers, industrial facilities and associations, federal water quality professionals, watershed and environmental organizations, environmental credit brokers, mitigation bankers, and others interested in learning about innovative approaches to cleaner water.
