Offset banking - a way ahead for controlling nonpoint source pollution in urban areas

Abstract

Nonpoint source discharges remain one of the major causes of non-attainment of water quality goals in urban areas in the United States. Controlling nonpoint source discharges is a critical part of achieving water quality goals within urban areas. Efforts to reduce nonpoint discharges are expected to intensify with implementation of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and changes to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Program (NPDES) permits. Given the need to reduce existing nonpoint source discharges in many urban areas, regulatory authorities are likely to become more circumspect about approving new developments with negative environmental impacts. We discuss the use of Offset Banking, which is a flexible mechanism that can facilitate development, but with no net environmental impact.