What is a mitigation bank?
A wetland mitigation bank is a large tract of created or restored wetlands that has been restored and managed with approval of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Each acre of wetland becomes a "credit" in the mitigation "bank." These credits are available for purchase to any public or private organization that is required by federal law to obtain a 404 permit and to mitigate for impacts to wetlands caused by its development. The Des Plaines River Wetlands Demonstration Project contains a wetland mitigation bank.

How does a mitigation bank benefit a developer?
Because the Corps has already approved the wetlands in the bank, the permitting process is usually quicker than when the developing organization seeks approval for wetland mitigation on its own site.

In addition, the developer can make full use of all available land for its development without the complications involved of including a wetland mitigation area onsite.

How does a wetland mitigation bank benefit the community?
Wetlands in a mitigation bank are usually larger and of higher quality than a wetland that a sole organization can create or restore. Therefore, these wetlands generally can support more wildlife, provide more flood storage, and create more public open space than small, isolated wetlands. Banks are then maintained into perpetuity as a public resource, ensuring that the wetlands will be protected and maintained.

The Des Plaines River Wetland Mitigation Bank is part of the Lake County Forest Preserve District-over 20,000 acres of professionally managed natural areas.

Can developers use a mitigation bank-rather than onsite mitigation-for any of their mitigation needs?
If the Corps deems that a site includes high-quality wetlands, critical wildlife habitat, or small wetlands that are part of a larger wetland, it may require developers to mitigate on site. Bank credits may be purchased only when approved by the Corps.

How does an organization receive permission from the Corps to purchase credits?
When an organization submits its Section 404 permit to the Corps, it includes a statement of its plan to buy credits from the Des Plaines River Mitigation Bank. When the developer then deposits earnest money with Wetlands Research, Inc., WRI will notify the Corps, thus enabling the Corps to approve the purchase. Can any organization purchase credits in the Des Plaines River Mitigation Bank? Because this bank is located in the Des Plaines River watershed, the Corps has approved its use for impacts in that watershed. Organizations impacting wetlands outside the watershed may use the bank, however, the Corps may require more credits to be purchased.

For more information or to purchase credits, please contact Donald L. Hey at Wetlands Research, Inc.

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