Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority Trading Program

The Cherry Creek Reservoir Control Regulation establishes a total maximum annual load (TMAL) for phosphorus. The TMAL establishes the cap on phosphorus loads in the basin. The Control Regulation also authorizes trading through the Phosphorus Bank and Reserve Pool. Trades between nonpoint source and point source have a trade ratio of 2:1 or greater; the greater reductions of nonpoint sources assures that trading provides a net water quality benefit. Trading provides a means for dischargers to increase their wasteload allocations.

The Trading Program and trading guidelines were developed pursuant to the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority Enabling Act and the Cherry Creek Reservoir Control Regulation. The Authority administers and oversees the Trading Program.

The Cherry Creek Trading Program includes two types of programs:
A. The Historic Trade Project with of 216 pounds of phosphorus credits was established with phosphorus reductions from the Authority's four approved trade projects (Shop Creek, Quincy, Cottonwood and East Shade Shelter). Allocatees can purchase these credits from the Authority.
B. The New Trade Project allows 216 pounds phosphorus credits from new projects constructed by governmental entities or landowners. The credits for can be held for use by the project owner, transferred to a allocatee, or retired.

The following documents describe the philosophy and functionality of the program:
  Trading Program Summary
  Trading Program Guidelines
  Trading Program Example: Polution Reduction Facilities
  Trading Program Example: Watet Supply System Modifications
  Pre-Application Requirements
  Example Pre-Application: Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority