The Mitigation Banking Group, Inc.’s Post

This week, the #EPA and Army Corps of Engineers posted several documents involving #wetlands permitting. Our colleague Mark Sudol, who headed the Corps of Engineers Regulatory Office before joining us, explains the importance in a new blog

Utilizing Federal Mitigation Credits Outside of Service Areas In the complex landscape of environmental compliance, obtaining federal mitigation credits can be challenging, especially when no local mitigation options are available. The Proximity Factor Tool was approved by the USACE on March 30, 2023. The new procedure provides a solution by allowing the use of federal mitigation credits from banks outside of their designated service areas under specific conditions. The Proximity Factor Tool is a regulatory mechanism that calculates the required compensatory mitigation needed to offset unavoidable impacts to aquatic resources outside the impact area's Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC), ecoregion, or approved mitigation bank service areas. This tool ensures that environmental impacts are mitigated effectively, even when local mitigation options are insufficient. https://lnkd.in/gbU6wwsW

Did you know tomorrow is #ArmyDay? What is #armyday you ask? #ArmyDay "...was established as a nationwide observance to draw public attention to national defense and to acquaint the public with Army activities. In addition, the day was used to stress the need for military preparedness, which the nation had lacked as it entered earlier major conflicts. 'The failure to make adequate preparation for the inevitable struggle, the consequent suffering from disease and death entailed upon the armies which were hastily raised, the prolongation of the conflict far beyond the time which sufficient and equipped forces would have required for victory, and the heavy costs of reconstruction' were caused by the lack of preparation of the nation.   On April 4, 1936, President Roosevelt issued a proclamation that Army Day be recognized by Congress as April 6 and observed nationwide. On March 1, 1937, Congress passed Resolution 5-75 which officially recognized Army Day   Army Day was last observed nationally on April 6, 1949." -www.afd.defense.gov The ANAMAR Environmental Consulting team says "Happy Army Day!" to all our US Army Corps of Engineers clients worldwide! As a prime subcontractor for multiple USACE districts, we hope to continue to perform work for our federal clients. Find out more about what type of work we do for USACE: https://lnkd.in/gm9seSxk #themoreyourknow #teamworkmakesthedreamwork

Check out our latest article on RIBITS: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Compensatory Mitigation. Learn how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' RIBITS platform is transforming the tracking of mitigation bank and in-lieu fee program activities nationwide, fostering environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance. Discover the collaborative efforts driving significant improvements in our natural resources management. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g2dH79wN #EnvironmentalStewardship #USACE #CompensatoryMitigation #RIBITS #Sustainability #Transparency #Accountability A special thanks for Valerie Layne who contributed to this article!

Here are a few cases worth following relative to EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regulation of Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) in the post-Sackett era. Pacific Legal Foundation is representing several landowners in cases that contend that EPA and USACE are improperly claiming jurisdiction over features based on EPA and USACE interpretation of post-Sackett regulations. https://lnkd.in/gDknUc7Q #wotus

Are you familiar with the Federal Proximity Factor Tool? 🛠 It’s a crucial resource for projects needing federal mitigation credits outside their service area. Whether you’re a developer or an environmental consultant, understanding how to leverage this tool can significantly enhance your project’s compliance and ecological impact. Dive into the details and see how the Proximity Factor Tool helps expand mitigation options, even when no local federal credits are available. https://lnkd.in/eD9DBjE5

The recent dispute between Green Park Estate and the Water Assets Regulatory Auhority (WARMA) highlighted the increased need for developers and prospective land owners to conduct thorough due diligence prior to purchasing land near restricted areas. COCA's article explores why due diligence is vital prior to purchasing land near Riparian Land, Military Instalments, Forests, Railways and other restricted areas. https://lnkd.in/d7r-zzVs

Thanks for sharing Becca Madsen! This is a big deal and will be a big topic at 2025 Environmental Markets Conference (EMC)! #mitigationbank #wetlands #environmentalmarkets

Navigating the World of Permits: Understanding the Difference between Individual and Nationwide Permits with the USACE: If you're working on a project that impacts U.S. waters or wetlands, understanding the right type of permit can be key to a smooth regulatory process. Here’s a quick breakdown of the two main types of permits issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and how they differ: 🔹 Nationwide Permits (NWPs): These are designed for projects with minimal environmental impact. NWPs cover common activities like small utility crossings, minor road work, or bank stabilization that generally have limited effects on aquatic resources. They’re streamlined and efficient, allowing for faster approval—great for getting smaller projects moving! 🔹 Individual Permits (IPs): Required for larger, more complex projects that may have significant impacts on wetlands or other waters, IPs demand a comprehensive review. The process includes public comments, coordination with environmental agencies, and an in-depth analysis to evaluate any environmental impacts. Choosing the right permit type can have a major impact on project timelines, compliance requirements, and environmental outcomes. Knowing when an NWP is appropriate or when an IP is necessary can help us balance project needs with responsible environmental stewardship. Let’s keep pushing forward with thoughtful planning that respects our natural resources! 💧🌱 #USACE #EnvironmentalPermitting #LandDevelopment #WetlandProtection #SustainableEngineering #WeAreOlsson

Residents Voiced Concerns Over Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline Expansion Project The hearing focused on the proposed construction of a new 40-mile pipeline segment, which would be built around and upstream of the Bad River Reservation. Opponents urged the US Army Corps of Engineers to reject the Canadian company's application, citing environmental risks and potential impact on tribal sovereignty. Read it here ▶ https://lnkd.in/gCRGMHuu #pipelinejournal #pipelinenews #pipelineindustry #pipelines #USA #Wisconsin