Eugene Wier was skeptical, yet optimistic, when he began overseeing The Freshwater Trust’s (TFT) water quality trading program with the City of Medford.
In 2011, the major Southern Oregon municipality agreed to do something unprecedented – allow TFT to use nature to offset the impacts of its wastewater treatment facility. Rather than invest in a cooling tower or a chiller, engineered solutions with price tags upwards of $20 million, the city partnered with TFT to the tune of $6.5 million. The solution proposed was to plant trees and shrubs in strategic places along the Rogue River and its tributaries.
The acres of planted native vegetation would block solar load and keep the water cool by mitigating the warm water discharged. Importantly, it would keep the city in compliance with the Clean Water Act. Increased water temperatures impact water quality and the health of native fish species.
“This was the first time anything like this had really been done – in the West,” said Wier. “The stakes were really high, and our solution had to be highly durable and have appeal to landowners who would host the projects for 20 years.”
