According to a preliminary report by nonprofit research group RTI International (Research Triangle Park, N.C.),nutrient trading could reduce the multibillion-dollar costs of restoring the Chesapeake Bay by 25%. The report, given to the Chesapeake Bay Commission on Jan. 5, stated that achieving nutrient reductions through agricultural best management practices would be significantly less costly than achieving reductions through urban and suburban stormwater controls. To achieve this 25% cost reduction, programs would need maximum flexibility, with a watershed-wide trading program between point and nonpoint sources, according to the report.