The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a series of meetings in July on the benefits of Pennsylvania’s Nutrient Trading Program.

Trading allows developers and sewage treatment plants to take credit for pounds of nutrients they remove anywhere in the target watershed. Investing in farm best management practices, planting trees along streams and sharing in an upgrade in another municipality are just a few ways to earn credits.

Municipal officials may be able to keep sewer rates in check through serious consideration of the trading option as an alternative to facility upgrades, or in combination with a smaller or deferred upgrade.

The dates for the meetings are:

· July 16-- 10a.m. to 12 p.m., Conference Room, DEP Lab Building, 2575 Interstate Dr., Harrisburg;

· July 19-- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Susquehanna Room B, DEP North East Regional Office Building, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre; and

· July 20-- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Goddard Room, DEP North Central Regional Office Building, 208 West Third Street, Suite 101, Williamsport.

For more information, contact Ann Smith of the Water Planning Office at 717-772-4785 and visit the Pennsylvania’s Nutrient Trading Program webpage.

7/6/2007