Here are some links to other web sites that have information on market-based environmental programs.

Environmental Trading Network :  The Environmental Trading Network (ETN) is the national clearinghouse for water quality trading issues, regulations and programs.  It was established as part of the Kalamazoo River Water Quality Trading Demonstration Project (Kalamazoo Project) in May 1998.  Initially, the ETN focused on trading projects in the Great Lakes region and maximizing the outcomes of the Kalamzaoo Project.  Today, the ETN includes representatives from federal and state agencies, environmental organizations, watershed groups and many of the active and emerging trading programs across the nation.  The ETN holds monthly conference calls and maintains a dedicated website to exchange information and document key policy issues, program content, implementation strategies and 'lessons learned' from across the network.

Michigan's Air Emission Trading Program   Michigan's statewide air emission trading program took effect in March 16, 1996.  Open trading for volatile organic compounds and all criteria pollutants, except ozone, can occur in attainment and nonattainment areas.  The program also includes a provision for (rate-based) emission averaging among sources under common ownership.  Trading is allowed for technology-based limits.  A percentage of each emission reduction is retired to provide a direct air quality benefit greater than that achieved under traditional regulatory programs..

The World Resources Institute  The World Resources Institue (WRI) is a nonprofit organization that conducts policy research on sustainable development and market-based programs.   WRI also maintains a web site for the Great Lakes Trading Network (http://hyperforum.wri.org/trading/)  This is a sister site to the web page that is maintained by the Surface Water Quality Division of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as part of the Kalamazoo River Water Quality Trading Demonstration Project.

The National Wildlife Federation   As part of it's "Saving Our Watersheds" project, the National Wildlife Federation published a guide that describes the concept of trading and outlines necessary conditions or "safeguards" for trading to occur.  Copies of "A New Tool for Water Quality: Making Watershed-Based Trading Work for You" and more information on NWF's Saving Our Watersheds project can be obtained from the National Wildlife Federation, Northeast Natural Resource Center, 58 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency  The USEPA published a Draft Framework for Watershed-Based Trading in May 1996.  This document descirbes the benefits of trading and provides readers with important questions to ask, lays out principles for trading to occur and addresses how different types of trading can occur within existing regulations.  The Draft Framework, Comments on the Framework, selected Case Studies/Updates and links to other sites can be found on EPA's Office of Water Trading page.

Michigan United Conservation Club  The Michigan United Conservation Club is the largest nonprofit conservation organization in the United States.  MUCC served on Michigan's Water Quality Trading Workgroup and is represented on the Governor's Steering Committee for Market-Based Environmental Programs.  Information on MUCC is available at this site.

Great Lakes Protection Fund  The Great Lakes Protection Fund is a private, nonprofit corporation formed by the Governors of the Great Lakes States to establish a permanent environmental endowment that supports collaborative actions to improve the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem.  The GLPF has provided funding for the Kalamazoo River Water Quality Trading Demonstration Project and the Great Lakes Trading Network.