Mitigation Banks
• Click here to learn more about wetland mitigation.
• Click here to learn more about stream mitigation.
Wetland mitigation banks are permanently protected lands that contain natural resource values (wetlands and associated uplands). These lands have been restored and managed for wildlife habitat, water quality, flood amelioration, and ecological diversity. Stream banks are streams and/or stream riparian zones that are restored and enhanced to create stable stream corridors that result in improved, water quality, wildlife habitat, and watershed integrity.
Both wetland and stream mitigation banks are used to compensate for adverse impacts generally occurring within a specified service area, or designated watershed. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), along with other state and federal agencies, approves a specified number of wetland/stream credits available to be sold by the bank sponsor. Permittees needing to compensate for project-related unavoidable adverse impacts to streams may purchase credits from bank sponsors, upon approval by the USACE, to compensate for those impacts. Each state and USACE District, however, continues to quantify wetland and stream credits uniquely; therefore, understanding the credit generation and impact assessment process for each individual District is critical.
In the late 1980s the Army Corps and USEPA began approving mitigation banks for use as mitigation options. As of January 2010, more than 950 wetland and stream mitigation banks have been approved by the Army Corps and USEPA, restoring and protecting over 960,000 acres of wetlands, streams, and associated upland habitat.
In April 2008, the Army Corps and USEPA jointly published the Final Rule for Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources, laying the ground work for national consistency in the establishment, use, and operational criteria for all forms of compensatory mitigation, including mitigation banks. A copy of the Final Rule may be found at http://www.epa.gov/wetlandsmitigation/.
Wetland and stream mitigation banks are a viable and cost effective tool for providing compensatory mitigation throughout the US, as well as meeting the goals of the Clean Water Act to restore the physical, biological, and chemical integrity of the nation's waters.
ALABAMA
Alabama Port
Alabama Port Mitigation Bank, Mobile County
CALIFORNIA
Wildlands, Inc.
Blackburn Vernal Pool Conservation Bank, Tehama County
Wildlands, Inc.
Daley Ranch Vernal Pool Conservation Bank, Butte County
Wildlands, Inc.
Deadman Creek Conservation Bank, Merced County
Wildlands, Inc.
Dolan Ranch Conservation Bank, Colusa County
Wildlands, Inc.
Fremont Landing Conservation Bank, Yolo County
Wildlands, Inc.
Gilsizer Slough South Giant Garter Snake Conservation Bank, Sutter County
Wildlands, Inc.
Great Valley Conservation Bank at Flynn Ranch, Merced County
Wildlands, Inc.
Haera Wildlife Conservation Bank, Alameda County
Wildlands, Inc.
Jenny Farms Conservation Bank, Solano County
Wildlands, Inc.
Kreyenhagen Hills Conservation Bank, Fresno County
Wildlands, Inc.
Laguna Terrace East Conservation Bank, Sacramento County
Wildlands, Inc.
North Suisun Mitigation Bank, Solano County
Wildlands, Inc.
Pajaro River Mitigation Bank, San Benito County
Wildlands, Inc.
River Ranch VELB Conservation Bank, Yolo County
Wildlands, Inc.
Sand Creek Conservation Bank, Tulare County
Wildlands, Inc.
Western Placer Schools Conservation Bank, Placer County
COLORADO
FLORIDA
Forest Investment Associates
Brick Road Mitigation Bank, Flagler, St. Johns, Volusia and Putnam Counties
Florida Mitigation Providers, LLC
The Loblolly, Sundew and Tupelo Mitigation Banks; Duval, Clay & St. John's County
EarthMark
Treasure Coast Mitigation Bank, St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and Osceola Counties
GEORGIA
INDIANA
LOUISIANA
Resource Environmental Solutions
Black Bayou Mitigation Bank - Phase II (Stream Mitigation), Catahoula Parish
