The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Jan. 13 that it will offer $10 million in conservation innovation grants for water quality trading through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Approximately $5 million will go toward programs in the Chesapeake Bay. The money will be used to stimulate the development of best management practices (BMPs) to reduce runoff on agricultural lands. Credits generated by implementing BMPs then can be sold to wastewater treatment plants and other facilities as part of a water quality trading scheme. Grant recipients will be required to match NRCS funds and should submit applications by March 2. Learn more