What kind of trades will be considered in Oregon?
In general, DEQ supports trading when it is likely to result in one or more of the following: • Ancillary benefits such as the creation and restoration of wetlands, floodplains and wildlife habitat. • Reduced costs to implement TMDLs or comply with water quality-based requirements. • Offsets of new or increased discharges resulting from growth or expansion. • Long-term improvements in water quality through the purchase and retirement of credits. DEQ anticipates that the majority of opportunities for trading in Oregon will involve temperature. DEQ has already allowed trades that involve riparian shade restoration to improve stream temperatures, flow augmentation, and trading of BOD and ammonia between wastewater treatment plants. DEQ is hoping to expand its trading program to include nutrient and sediment trading as well as trades involving aquatic habitat and floodplain restoration to reduce the impacts of warm stream temperatures. DEQ does not anticipate trades involving bacteria and
