Water Quality Trading

Resolved that the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) support water quality trading as a voluntary, alternative method for home builders and developers to achieve compliance with their permit requirements, assist in meeting environmental goals, and lower the costs of meeting new stormwater/wastewater requirements.

Further resolved that NAHB support state trading programs that:

1. Allow trading between point sources, such as National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit-holders, and nonpoint sources, such as agricultural uses, as well as other types of trading.
2. Encompass trading for nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment credits, collectively or separately, where reductions in such pollutants are mandated.
3. Allow the trade of credits across state and other political boundaries and across water basins, wherever feasible.
4. Allow construction NPDES permit-holders to go beyond their permitted stormwater and wastewater requirements and thus generate credits to sell on the trading market.

Resolution originally adopted: 2013.10, Resolution No. 4

Committee with primary jurisdiction:

• Environmental Issues Committee