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What is mitigation banking?

The concept of mitigation banking has been around since the ’70’s. Basically, mitigation banking creates an economic incentive for restoring, creating, enhancing and/or preserving wetlands.

Mitigation banks typically involve the consolidation of many small wetland mitigation projects into a larger, potentially more ecologically valuable site. Such consolidation encourages greater diversity of habitat and wetland functions. It also helps create more sustainable systems. Mitigation banks provide a greater likelihood of success, since the banks are up and running before unavoidable damage occurs to a wetland(s) at another site. With proper implementation, mitigation banking has the potential to increase ecological benefits, save money for project applicants, and improve efficiencies in application and permitting processes.

The wetland mitigation bank rule (WAC 173-700) identifies the criteria necessary for implementing an environmentally sound banking system in Washington State.

How do I...

• Become a wetland mitigation bank sponsor?
• Use a wetland mitigation bank to compensate for impacts?
• Learn more about wetland mitigation banking?
• Sign up for Ecology's Wetland Mitigation Banking Listserv?
• View the latest updates on wetland mitigation banking?
• Contact wetland mitigation banking staff?
• Sign up for Ecology’s Wetlands Information Listserv?
• Contact other wetland staff?
• Contact other Ecology staff in your region?