Wisconsin is a step closer to creating a clearinghouse for nutrient credit trading. The proposal by State Senator Rob Cowles and Representative Joel Kitchens was one of thirteen water quality bills passed by the State Assembly Tuesday. It would allow businesses and municipalities that need to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen discharges into ground and surface water to buy nutrient credits through the clearinghouse. The clearinghouse would then pay farmers for conservation practices that improve water quality, practices many farmers already do.
