Wetland Banking Regulations in Washington State: A Comprehensive Guide

Wetlands are vital natural ecosystems that provide a wide range of ecological benefits, including flood control, water purification, and habitat for wildlife. In Washington State, wetlands are protected under the federal Clean Water Act and the state Shoreline Management Act. Additionally, the state Department of Ecology has developed specific regulations for wetland banking, which is a process that allows developers to create or restore wetlands in order to offset the impacts of their projects on existing wetlands.

Purpose of Wetland Banking

The purpose of wetland banking is to ensure that there is no net loss of wetlands in Washington State. This is achieved by allowing developers to purchase credits from wetland banks that have created or restored wetlands. These credits can then be used to offset the impacts of the developer's project on existing wetlands.

How Wetland Banking Works

The wetland banking process is overseen by the Department of Ecology. Developers who wish to purchase wetland credits must first submit a proposal to the department. The proposal must include information about the proposed project, the impacts of the project on wetlands, and the number of wetland credits that will be needed.

The Department of Ecology will then review the proposal and determine whether or not it meets the requirements of the wetland banking regulations. If the proposal is approved, the developer will be issued a permit to purchase wetland credits from a wetland bank.

Wetland banks are typically established by private landowners or conservation organizations. The banks create or restore wetlands on their property and then sell credits to developers. The credits can be used to offset the impacts of development projects on existing wetlands.

Benefits of Wetland Banking

Wetland banking provides a number of benefits for developers, regulators, and the environment.

Benefits for Developers:

• Allows developers to meet their wetland mitigation requirements without having to create or restore wetlands on their own property.
• Can be more cost-effective than traditional wetland mitigation methods.
• Provides a flexible way to mitigate wetland impacts.

Benefits for Regulators:

• Ensures that there is no net loss of wetlands in Washington State.
• Provides a way to track wetland mitigation projects and ensure that they are successful.
• Helps to streamline the wetland permitting process.

Benefits for the Environment:

• Creates or restores wetlands, which provide a range of ecological benefits.
• Helps to protect and improve water quality.
• Provides habitat for wildlife.

How to Choose a Wetland Bank

When choosing a wetland bank, developers should consider the following factors:

• The bank's experience and track record.
• The location of the bank's wetlands.
• The cost of the bank's credits.
• The bank's reputation.

Tips for Using Wetland Banking

Here are a few tips for developers who are considering using wetland banking:

• Start the wetland banking process early in the project planning process.
• Work with a qualified consultant to help you develop a wetland mitigation plan.
• Choose a wetland bank that is reputable and has a good track record.
• Be sure to understand the terms of the wetland credit purchase agreement before you sign it.

Stories and Lessons Learned

Here are a few stories and lessons learned from the implementation of wetland banking in Washington State:

Story 1:

A developer was planning to build a new housing development on a site that contained a wetland. The developer worked with a wetland bank to purchase credits that would offset the impacts of the development on the wetland. The wetland bank used the credits to restore a degraded wetland on another site. The restoration project was successful and the wetland is now providing a range of ecological benefits, including flood control, water purification, and habitat for wildlife.

Lesson Learned:

Wetland banking can be a successful way to mitigate the impacts of development on wetlands.

Story 2:

A developer was planning to build a new commercial development on a site that contained a wetland. The developer worked with a wetland bank to purchase credits that would offset the impacts of the development on the wetland. However, the wetland bank did not properly restore the wetland and the project failed. The developer was then required to restore the wetland on their own property.

Lesson Learned:

It is important to choose a wetland bank that is reputable and has a good track record.

Story 3:

A developer was planning to build a new industrial development on a site that contained a wetland. The developer worked with a wetland bank to purchase credits that would offset the impacts of the development on the wetland. The wetland bank used the credits to create a new wetland on another site. The new wetland is now providing a range of ecological benefits, including flood control, water purification, and habitat for wildlife.

Lesson Learned:

Wetland banking can be a flexible way to mitigate the impacts of development on wetlands.

Why Wetland Banking Matters

Wetland banking is an important tool for protecting and restoring wetlands in Washington State. By allowing developers to purchase wetland credits from wetland banks, the state can ensure that there is no net loss of wetlands. Wetland banking also provides a number of benefits for developers, regulators, and the environment.

Pros and Cons of Wetland Banking

Like any other tool, wetland banking has its pros and cons.

Pros:

• Can help to protect and restore wetlands.
• Can be more cost-effective than traditional wetland mitigation methods.
• Can provide a flexible way to mitigate wetland impacts.

Cons:

• Can be complex and time-consuming.
• Can be difficult to find wetland banks that are located near development projects.
• Can be expensive.

Conclusion

Wetland banking is a valuable tool for protecting and restoring wetlands in Washington State. By working with wetland banks, developers can meet their wetland mitigation requirements while also providing a range of ecological benefits.

Additional Resources

• Washington State Department of Ecology Wetland Banking Program
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Mitigation Banking
• Society of Wetland Scientists Wetland Banking

Tables

Table 1: Wetland Functions and Values

Table 2: Wetland Types in Washington State

Table 3: Wetland Mitigation Options