This guide provides detailed guidance on the fundamental concepts of trading which can accelerate water quality improvement and reduce compliance costs. “EPA’s Trading Toolkit is the first-ever ‘how-to’ manual on water quality trading,” said Benjamin H. Grumbles, assistant administrator for water. “The toolkit will be useful not only for permit writers but for anyone interested in designing a trading program to improve water quality. It is part of EPA’s efforts to support and encourage innovation for water quality progress.”

The kit discusses the fundamental concepts of designing and implementing trading programs including the relevant geographic scope, effluent limitations and other factors involved in defining a credit. The document also includes a set of appendices which feature detailed case studies based on actual trading programs.

Comments received on the toolkit through the document’s Web site will be considered for future updates. The toolkit is available on the EPA’s Water Quality Trading Web site at: www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/trading/WQTToolkit.html