Description: Market-based programs can achieve water quality goals at a substantial economic savings, and also create economic incentives for achieving innovation and greater efficiency in improving water quality. Maryland’s Water Quality Trading (WQT) Program creates a public market for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment reductions. This voluntary program is a collaborative effort between Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to enhance the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and local waters by accelerating the pace and reducing the cost of implementation efforts.
The presentation will provide an overview of the State's WQT Program. It will discuss the overall goals of the program, as well as the mechanics of how to generate and trade credits within Maryland.
Mr. Gregorio Sandi is Head of the Chesapeake Restoration Section at Maryland Department of the Environment. This position serves in the Integrated Water Planning Program as lead in the Water Quality Trading Program for MDE, working with State and local partners throughout Maryland developing watershed restoration plans, managing Best Management Practice data, tracking and evaluating the Chesapeake Bay Model inputs and outputs. The main focus of Greg's position is to enhance water quality and ecological uplift in the State’s aquatic ecosystems. Greg received his B.S. in Environmental Management st University of Maryland University College and his Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy from John’s Hopkins University.