Wetland Mitigation Banking

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Jan. 8, 2002

Public comment sought on wetland mitigation banking

OLYMPIA -- Two public hearings will be held this month on a proposed rule that will establish criteria and a certification process for setting up "wetland mitigation banks."

Mitigation banking provides a way for local governments, developers or others to generate "credits" by restoring, creating, enhancing or preserving wetlands before they cause damage to an existing wetland. The credits can then be used by that party or sold to someone else to compensate for land-use activities that damage or eliminate wetlands.

The draft rule (regulation) was developed by the state Department of Ecology, with the help of an advisory group, and is intended to guide wetland-mitigation banking and certification across the state. The banks could be established by local jurisdictions, such as city and county public-works departments, transportation and utility departments, businesses and private entrepreneurs.

"Instead of compensating for unavoidable damage to wetlands in a piecemeal fashion, mitigation banking provides an incentive to create larger and more ecologically valuable sites," said Lauren Driscoll, who works in Ecology's shorelands program.

Public comments on the proposed rule are being accepted until 5 p.m. on Feb.

15. Verbal comments may be provided at either of the two public hearings, and written comments may be submitted via mail, fax or e-mail. The hearings are scheduled for:

• * Jan. 23 in Lacey -- 7 p.m. at Department of Ecology headquarters, 300 Desmond Dr.
• * Jan. 30 in Moses Lake -- 7 p.m. at the Best Western Hallmark Inn, 3000 Marine Dr.

There will be a presentation explaining the draft rule and a question-and-answer session prior to both hearings, starting at 6 p.m.

For more information about wetland mitigation banking, the public hearings or the rule-adoption process, call Lauren Driscoll at 360-407-6861, or visit Ecology's Web site at
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetmitig/index.html

Written comments about the proposed rule may be e-mailed to ldri461@ecy.wa.gov, faxed to 360-407-6902, or mailed to Lauren Driscoll, Dept. of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, Wash., 98504-7600.

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Media contact: Sheryl Hutchison, Communication Director, 360-407-7004

Wetland mitigation banking Web site:

www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetmitig/index.html

Ecology's Web site: www.ecy.wa.gov

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