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Department of Ecology News Release - May 21, 2009
09-120
OLYMPIA – The Department of Ecology (Ecology) seeks additional public comment on a proposed wetland bank east of Mount Vernon.
Ecology will ask the public to comment on environmental conditions that would be included in a water-quality approval the department will prepare for the project. These proposed conditions are available on line by clicking on “Mitigation Banking Instrument” and “Construction Drawings” at: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetlands/mitigation/banking/sites/skagit.html.
The document also will be available for public review at:
Ecology’s action on water quality is one of several approvals the bank must obtain.
The comment period runs through June 11, 2009. Comments may sent by mail to Wetland Banking Specialist, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600; or by e-mail to chme461@ecy.wa.gov.
Ecology also will host a public hearing June 4, 2009, at 6 p.m. at Skagit Station, 105 East Kincaid in Mt. Vernon.
Clear Valley Environmental Farm, LLC, a private company, has applied to establish the Skagit Environmental Bank near Barney Lake, along Nookachamps Creek. The company would restore wetlands on the 396-acre property, and sell credits to developers in an area that includes portions of western Skagit County.
The availability of wetland credits, however, doesn’t displace state and federal regulations requiring developers to avoid and minimize wetland loss or damage. Wetlands play critical roles in the environment, including filtering and purifying water, storing flood water, recharging groundwater and providing habitat.
Proposed wetland mitigation banks must obtain certification from Ecology, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (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 cannot issue bank certification – which is separate from, but related to the water-quality approval – without local government approval.
Skagit Environmental Bank must also receive a federal Clean Water Act authorization from the Corps, a shoreline conditional-use permit from Skagit County, and other county permits.
The county shoreline conditional use permit, grading permit, and State Environmental Policy Act determination are presently before the Skagit County Board of Commissioners on appeal.
Details on the Skagit Environmental Bank proposal are available on line at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetlands/mitigation/banking/sites/skagit.html.
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Media Contacts:
Larry Altose, Ecology media relations, 425-649-7009
Lauren Driscoll, Ecology wetland banking coordinator, 360-407-7045
For more information:
Wetland banking information:
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetlands/mitigation/banking/index.html
Skagit Environmental Bank proposal:
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetlands/mitigation/banking/sites/skagit.html
Earlier news release:
www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2009news/2009-006.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
