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An evaluation of nutrient nonpoint offset trading in Virginia: A role for agricultural nonpoint sources?
Author(s) -
Stephenson Kurt,
Aultman Stephen,
Metcalfe Todd,
Miller Alex
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/2009wr008228
Subject(s) - nonpoint source pollution , environmental science , nutrient , agriculture , offset (computer science) , water quality , water resource management , computer science , geography , ecology , archaeology , programming language , biology
Many advocates of water quality trading in the United States frequently assume that agricultural nonpoint sources will be the primary trading partner for regulated point sources. Virginia requires regulated point sources to offset new nutrient discharges. Nutrient offsets generated by agricultural nonpoint source reductions are compared against urban nonpoint source and nutrient assimilation offsets. Evidence suggests that agricultural nonpoint source offsets may not be a technically feasible or particularly cost effective compliance option for regulated point sources.