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Department of Ecology News Release - August 24, 2006
06-165
OLYMPIA – A wetland and stream restoration project on the Skykomish River near Monroe received approval today from state, local and federal agencies to become the latest "wetland bank" under a Department of Ecology (Ecology) pilot wetland mitigation bank program.
The program enables developers whose projects require wetland mitigation to buy "credits" in existing wetland restoration projects – subject to regulatory approval – rather than construct their own wetland-replacement projects. The banking program does not change environmental review standards that protect against the loss of wetlands.
"This wetland project is an important milestone in Washington’s work to create environmental mitigation that really works – for the environment, for our communities and for landowners who are developing their land," said Jay Manning, Ecology’s director. "Wetland banks offer a less costly, more timely and more predictable way to replace wetlands when the loss can’t be avoided. Buying credits into a pre-established project ensures good results for everyone and for the environmental quality of our state."
Manning and officials from four other agencies approved the 172-acre project, owned by Skykomish Habitat LLC, and located one mile southwest of Monroe. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), and Snohomish County Panning and Development Services also approved the conditions under which the company will operate its bank.
Skykomish Habitat LLC will rehabilitate and create wetlands and remove part of a levee to re-establish side channels and flood capacity to protect farms across the river from flood hazards. Construction is under way. The bank will serve portions of the Snohomish River watershed, including parts of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie basins.
"Obtaining the final approval for this project is very exciting," said Eric Gleason, Project Manager for Skykomish Habitat, LLC. "We’re pleased that nearby landowners will directly benefit from some of the early site improvements, and we appreciate their support. It’s really satisfying when the sponsor, the regulatory community and the general public can link interests and see the benefits of this kind of project."
The company is granting a conservation easement to the non-profit Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC). The easement – which must be in place before the bank can sell credits – ensures that project land will be permanently protected as a conservation site.
"Cascade Land Conservancy appreciates the opportunity to play a role in the long-term protection of this exciting restoration project," said Peggy Bill, Senior Conservation Director for CLC. "CLC will monitor the site regularly to make sure it’s permanently managed for conservation."
Ecology’s wetland banking pilot program enables investors to establish privately-owned banks to serve portions of particular watersheds. The banks typically will restore large areas of wetland and thus create better-integrated systems for habitat and water quality than smaller, scattered projects. The banks must provide ongoing maintenance and monitoring for 10 years or more to ensure their wetland restoration projects succeed. Bank owners also must permanently preserve their sites through a conservation easement and long term management agreements.
This program provides more flexibility to landowners and developers whose projects require wetland mitigation. Wetland banking is not entirely new to Washington: some local governments and state agencies have established internal wetland banks for their own projects.
Wetlands provide important environmental functions, including fish and wildlife habitat, water quality protection, and natural flood control.
For more information about Ecology’s wetland banking pilot program please visit: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetmitig .
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Contacts: Larry Altose, Ecology public information officer,
425-649-7009
Skykomish Habitat LLC, Eric Gleason, 301-977-4311
Cascade Land Conservancy, Peggy Bill, 206-292-5907 x105
Snohomish County Planning and Development Services, Frank Scherf, 425-388-3311
x2725
Corps of Engineers, Patricia Graesser, 206-764-3760
EPA, Mark MacIntyre, 206-553-7302
Washington Department of Natural Resources, Jane Chavey, 360-902-1721
Media visits to the Skykomish Habitat LLC wetland bank: Please contact Eric Gleason, 301-977-4311.
Ecology’s wetland banking pilot project Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetmitig
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
