Mitigation That Works > Guidance and Regulations

Guidance and Regulations

• State wetland mitigation banking rule - Wetland Mitigation Banks, Chapter 173-700 WAC.
   
• Federal mitigation rule – Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources Final Rule (EPA/Corps of Engineers).
   
• Wetland mitigation interagency guidance - a comprehensive two-part interagency document providing guidance on wetland mitigation.
   
• Wetland mitigation bank resource documents - a variety of resource documents, including templates, example language for financial assurances, and rule documents.
   
• Best Available Science for Wetlands - better mitigation through better science and adequate buffers and ratios.
   
• Washington State Wetland Rating Systems - better mitigation through a better understanding of wetland functions and values.
   
• Calculating Credits and Debits for Compensatory Mitigation in Wetlands - A tool for calculating when a proposed wetland mitigation project adequately replaces the functions and values lost when wetlands are impacted. It is also known as the Credit/Debit Method.
  • Calculating Credits and Debits for Compensatory Mitigation in Wetlands of Western Washington: Operational Draft (February 2011) - The operational draft will be tested for one year and revised as needed. 
  • Calculating Credits and Debits for Compensatory Mitigation in Wetlands of Eastern Washington: Operational Draft (August 2011) - The operational draft will be tested for one year and revised as needed.
  • Focus Sheet: The Credit/Debit Method for Estimating Needs in Compensatory Wetland Mitigation
     
• Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems: A Guide for Puget Sound Planners to Understand Watershed Processes - guidance for Puget Sound planners, resource managers, and consultants on how to better protect aquatic ecosystems, such as lakes, rivers, wetlands, and estuaries, by including information about watershed processes in resource management plans and regulatory actions. Also see January 2009 presentation (PDF, 40MB) from a Coastal Training Program class.  
   
• Selecting Wetland Mitigation Sites Using a Watershed Approach - recommendations on how to apply a watershed approach when selecting sites and in choosing between on-site and off-site mitigation.
  • Western Washington Version (December 2009)
  • Eastern Washington Version (November 2010)
     

• Guidance for Small Cities on Developing a Wetland Protection Program - Guidance for small cities and towns that are in the process of updating their critical areas ordinances (CAOs). This document describes the important topics that should be addressed in the wetlands section of a CAO. It includes recommendations for wetland protection based on best available science (BAS). The guidance includes an appendix that transcribes these recommendations into a format that is similar to that found in many local CAOs.

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