It is too early to tell yet, but Rep. Joel Kitchens hopes you see big returns from the newly established water quality trading clearinghouse program in the near future. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced late last month that the State of Wisconsin had entered into a contract to establish the nation's first market-based water quality trading clearinghouse. Wisconsin Clearinghouse is expected to launch an online platform this month to connect buyers and sellers of water quality trading credits together. Under the program, farmers could adopt water conservation practices like letting fields go to native vegetation and receive money from wastewater treatment plant operators that are becoming financially strapped due to ever-changing regulations. Kitchens says if the program works the way that it should, it should be a win-win for everyone involved.

Kitchens worked on the program with Green Bay Republican State Senator Robert Cowles, getting legislation passed three years ago. Despite the wait, Kitchens is happy the program is now getting underway.