Developing a Water Quality Credit Trading Framework for California Agriculture in a Market with Demand

This project proposes to establish crediting rates using the Nutrient Tracking Tool (NTT) and other accepted credit calculation methods (if not currently available in NTT) and integrate other credit calculators used into NTT where possible and appropriate. The project will also define administrative, regulatory and eligibility requirements of credit sellers and establish and refine infrastructure for certification and monitoring for traded credits. It will also assess future supply and demand for the Laguna water quality credit trading market and verify and track certified nutrient load reductions using project-established protocols and a simple, on-line marketplace registry developed for and maintained by the Sotoyome Resource Conservation District. These actions will optimize ease of market participation for sellers and future buyers.