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Department of Ecology News Release - January 8, 2009
09-006
BELLINGHAM – A proposed wetland bank east of Mount Vernon would offset wetlands lost to nearby development projects, recharge water supplies and improve salmon habitat in Nookachamps Creek, if the project receives certification by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps).
The two agencies are seeking public comment through Feb. 6 on the application for certification submitted by Clear Valley Environmental Farm. The company proposes to develop and operate the Skagit Environmental Bank, restoring wetlands on 396 acres near Barney Lake in Skagit County.
The proposed project, which is in a farming area, must meet special conditions to show that it will not increase flooding or disrupt drainage on other farms.
“The benefits of this wetland bank would be increased wetland functions and efficiency for builders and regulators,” said Lauren Driscoll, manager of Ecology’s wetlands section. “It would provide a level of certainty and environmental protection that’s in line with the no-net-loss goal of protecting our wetland resources.”
Wetland banks offer an alternative for development and construction projects that will affect wetlands. Rather than carry out individual mitigation or restoration projects for each building project, a developer or builder within the same watershed as a wetland bank has the option of purchasing credits in the existing bank. Credits represent the increase in wetland functions provided by the bank site.
Skagit Environmental Bank could sell credits to developers in an area that includes portions of western Skagit County. A map of the area is part of the public notice, available at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetlands/mitigation/banking/public-notices.html.
The availability of wetland credits, however, doesn’t diminish state and federal regulations requiring developers to avoid and minimize wetland damage. State and federal laws prohibit the loss of wetlands due to development.
Proposed wetland mitigation banks must apply for certification by Ecology, the Corps, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and local governments. The state certifies projects that are shown to meet the requirements of local, state and federal rules. The state can’t issue certification without local government approval.
Ecology works to ensure that banks are compatible with maintaining viable and active farmland. When banks are located in agricultural areas, they are required to avoid affecting adjacent farms. The potential to cause flooding, raising groundwater tables and the disruption of drainage systems are a few of the potential effects that Ecology and Skagit County will require the banker to address and monitor.
“Wetland banks are an important strategy for engaging the private sector and power of the marketplace to sustain Washington's remaining wetlands,” Driscoll said. “Healthy wetlands and streams are essential to maintain and restore Washington waters, including Puget Sound, and keep our economy vibrant.”
Wetlands provide critical functions including filtering and purifying water, storing flood water, recharging groundwater and providing habitat.
Ecology and the Corps released an initial public notice about the application for the Skagit mitigation bank March 10, 2006. They are now issuing final public notice of the certification application, opening a 30-day comment period.
View the application and find locations of hard copies at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetlands/mitigation/banking/public-notices.html.
To comment on the project’s application for federal and state certification, please refer to Skagit Environmental Bank – File No. 200600098:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Branch
Attn: Gail Terzi
Post Office Box 3755
Seattle, WA 98124-3755
Or
Department of Ecology
SEA Program (Shorelands and Environmental Assistance)
Attn: Christina Merten
Post Office Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
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Media Contacts:
Katie J. Skipper, Ecology media relations, 360-715-5205; 360-510-0682 cell,
kski461@ecy.wa.gov
Lauren Driscoll, Ecology wetlands section manager, 360-407-7045
Gail Terzi, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mitigation program manager,
206-764-6903
Detailed description of proposed Skagit Environmental Bank project, including a link to the March 2006 public notice: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetlands/mitigation/banking/sites/skagit.html
Mitigation that works: www.ecy.wa.gov/mitigation/
Wetland mitigation banking: ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetlands/mitigation/banking/index.html
Wetlands: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetlands/index.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
