Webinar:
Water Quality Trading in Oregon and What it
Means for WA State
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
12:00 to 1:00 PM PT | Virtual Event
Many rivers in the Pacific Northwest are 303(d) listed for excessive water temperatures threatening ESA listed species. Water temperature TMDLs have been developed for many of these rivers and thermal loading limitations have been put on dischargers. In 2016, Oregon DEQ launched a water quality trading program to help mitigate thermal impacts, especially for projects with a nexus to rivers supporting ESA-listed species. Numeric temperature standards in Oregon require rigorous assessment and mitigation of thermal impacts. Initial water quality trading allowed wastewater treatment plants, through their NPDES Permits, to develop thermal trading plans to mitigate thermal loading. DEQ is now using this program for projects with a nexus to rivers with ESA listed species, including new surface water intakes for drinking water, which must seek a 401 Water Quality Certification for potential thermal impacts.
The Washington Department of Ecology issued Water Quality Trading Guidelines in 2011, but up until March 2018, when Ecology drafted a short white paper, there have been no successful trading plans. A recent proposed legislation, WA HB1290, focuses on NPDES holders who are discharging into waterbodies with a water temperature TMDL.
The talk will cover the OR water quality trading program; its current application to wastewater discharges through NPDES Permits and water withdrawals through the 401 Water Quality Certification process and how it compares to WA’s program and what can be learned for the benefit of WA’s program and recent legislation.
Presenter:
Rob Annear, Senior Principal, Annear Water Resources
Rob is an environmental engineer with 29 years of experience in hydrodynamic and water quality modeling (1D/2D/3D) across rivers, reservoirs, estuaries, and coastal environments. His work spans regulatory permitting, TMDLs, ESA/CERCLA/RCRA/NRDA/FERC compliance, drinking water, lake management, and climate change studies. He has served as an Expert Witness in hydrology, water rights, and water resources modeling cases. In addition, he has 5+ years experience teaching college courses, and 15+ years teaching water quality modeling workshops.
Participation Details:
You will receive a link to participate via a Microsoft Teams meeting the day before the event.
Registration Fees:
Registration is free with a suggested donation of $10. We are non-profit, and your donation helps us provide events and programming. Thank you for supporting AWRA-WA!
Thank you to Greene Economics for sponsoring the event!
