APPENDIX ENew Mexico (Phase III)The State <strong>of</strong> New Mexico has no legislation, regulations,or guidance on wetland mitigation banking. Thestate does not participate in a Mitigation <strong>Banking</strong>Review Team.New York (Phase I)New York does not have state laws or regulations onwetland mitigation banking.The New York Department <strong>of</strong> Environmental<strong>Conservation</strong> (DEC) has developed general mitigationguidelines for its regula<strong>to</strong>ry staff. 123 The guidelines <strong>of</strong>fera framework for decision-making related <strong>to</strong> wetlandsregulation and enforcement, but only briefly mentionwetland mitigation banking. 124 In 2002, <strong>the</strong> DEC issueda memorandum <strong>to</strong> its field staff advising <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> considerbanking as mitigation option equivalent <strong>to</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<strong>of</strong>f-site mitigation for freshwater wetlands. 125 The DECdoes not, however, support <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> banks for tidalwetlands. The state is also an active participant on<strong>the</strong> MBRT that covers activities in <strong>the</strong> New York andBuffalo Districts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. Army Corps <strong>of</strong> Engineers. 126The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) generally reviewsmitigation plans as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wetlands permittingprocess in cases where impacts <strong>to</strong> wetlands cannot beavoided, as well as mitigation resulting from enforcementactivities. In 1995, <strong>the</strong> agency adopted general mitigationguidelines that, similar <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> DEC guidelines,recognize banking and in-lieu-fee as mitigation options,but do not prescribe specific methods for ei<strong>the</strong>r. 127123 New York Department <strong>of</strong> Environmental <strong>Conservation</strong>,Freshwater Wetlands Regulation - Guidelines on Compensa<strong>to</strong>ryMitigation, athttp://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/wetlmit.pdf (Oct. 26, 1993).124 New York Department <strong>of</strong> Environmental <strong>Conservation</strong>,Freshwater Wetlands Regulation - Guidelines on Compensa<strong>to</strong>ryMitigation, at http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/wetlmit.pdf(last visited Sept. 12, 2007).125 Memorandum from Patricia Riexinger, New York Department <strong>of</strong>Environmental <strong>Conservation</strong>, Division <strong>of</strong> Fish, Wildlife and MarineResources, Bureau <strong>of</strong> <strong>Habitat</strong>, <strong>to</strong> Natural Resource Supervisors, NewYork Department <strong>of</strong> Environmental <strong>Conservation</strong> (Dec. 24, 2002) (onfile with author).126 Personal communication with Patricia Riexinger, N.Y. Dep’t <strong>of</strong>Envtl. <strong>Conservation</strong> (Nov. 12, 2003).127 Personal communication with Dan Spada, N.Y. Adirondack ParkAgency (May 10, 2004).North Carolina (Phase I)North Carolina has state laws and regulations thatguide wetland mitigation banking in <strong>the</strong> state. Thestate has established a comprehensive mitigationand res<strong>to</strong>ration program and operates a statewidein-lieu-fee program designed <strong>to</strong> consolidate wetlandand watershed mitigation and res<strong>to</strong>ration efforts. Both<strong>the</strong> North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program(NCEEP) and <strong>the</strong> Division <strong>of</strong> Water Quality (DWQ) arelead state agencies for mitigation-related activities inNorth Carolina. DWQ is responsible for implementing<strong>the</strong> state’s regulations pertaining <strong>to</strong> mitigation andworks with applicants throughout <strong>the</strong> permit process,while <strong>the</strong> NCEEP provides options for parties thatneed <strong>to</strong> satisfy mitigation requirements. 128 The NCEEPstrategy involves <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> WatershedRes<strong>to</strong>ration Plans (WRPs), including <strong>the</strong> identification<strong>of</strong> Targeted Local Watersheds (TLWs) (14-digit hydrologicunits) within each 8-digit U.S. Geological SurveyCataloging Unit in <strong>the</strong> state. 129 Numerous o<strong>the</strong>r stateand federal agencies participate in <strong>the</strong> state’s MBRTand <strong>the</strong> Program Assessment and Consistency Group,a state-level group that operates similarly <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> MBRT<strong>to</strong> support <strong>the</strong> NCEEP. 130128 Due <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> stringency <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Coastal Area Management Act, <strong>the</strong>DCM does handle compensa<strong>to</strong>ry mitigation issues as regularly as <strong>the</strong>NCEEP and <strong>the</strong> DWQ.129 In 1998, <strong>the</strong> NCWRP completed Watershed Res<strong>to</strong>ration Plans(WRPs) for <strong>the</strong> 17 major river basins in <strong>the</strong> state. The WRPs includeres<strong>to</strong>ration goals, narrative overviews <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> basins, priority subbasinmaps with water quality information, watershed boundaries,land cover data, information on existing water quality problems,descriptions <strong>of</strong> priority sub-basins, and wetland impact information.See North Carolina Wetlands Res<strong>to</strong>ration Program, NCWRPWatershed Res<strong>to</strong>ration Plans, at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/wrp/plans/wetrip.htm (last revised Jan. 25, 2004). The NCEEP’s WatershedNeeds Assessment Team (WNAT), an interagency group composed <strong>of</strong>representatives from several state and federal agencies, developeda “screening methodology” <strong>to</strong> identify Targeted Local Watersheds(TLWs) in which <strong>to</strong> concentrate planning and res<strong>to</strong>ration activities.Once TLWs have been identified through <strong>the</strong> screening methodology,<strong>the</strong> NCEEP will work with local governments, NGOs, and o<strong>the</strong>rstakeholders <strong>to</strong> complete local watershed plans in selected TLWareas throughout <strong>the</strong> state. See North Carolina Wetlands Res<strong>to</strong>rationProgram, Guide <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> North Carolina Wetland Res<strong>to</strong>rationProgram’s Watershed Res<strong>to</strong>ration Strategy (April 2001), available athttp://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/wrp/pdf/restplans/Planning%20Guide.pdf.130 Personal communication with Suzanne Klimek, N.C. EcosystemEnhancement Program (Aug. 24, 2004).94 Environmental Law Institute
APPENDIX EState laws and regulations outline requirements forprivate mitigation. Banks must be consistent with <strong>the</strong>state’s res<strong>to</strong>ration priorities and must be located withinan area that is identified as a priority for res<strong>to</strong>rationby <strong>the</strong> NCEEP. Mitigation banking credits must followstate regulations. 131North Dakota (Phase IV)North Dakota has not adopted legislation, regulations,or guidelines for wetland mitigation banking.Ohio (Phase I)Ohio state laws and regulations include provisionsfor wetland mitigation banking. State law and regulationsoutline compensa<strong>to</strong>ry mitigation provisionsfor <strong>the</strong> three categories <strong>of</strong> wetlands defined in <strong>the</strong>Isolated Wetlands Law and <strong>the</strong> state’s water qualitystandards. 132 Ohio state laws outline mitigation bankingrequirements and replacement ratios specific <strong>to</strong>isolated wetlands. 133The state’s compensa<strong>to</strong>ry mitigation rules include aprescribed set <strong>of</strong> mitigation ratios, replacement categoriesand mitigation location requirements. 134 On-siteand in-kind mitigation is required where its impracticabilitycannot be demonstrated. 135 If res<strong>to</strong>ration is notpossible, <strong>the</strong> rules state that alternative compensa<strong>to</strong>rymitigation techniques (including banking, enhancement,and preservation) may be approved on a caseby-casebasis. 136The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and OhioDepartment <strong>of</strong> Natural Resources (ODNR) participateon <strong>the</strong> area’s Mitigation <strong>Banking</strong> Review Team(MBRT), along with <strong>the</strong> U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency (<strong>US</strong>EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,and Natural Resources <strong>Conservation</strong> Service. 137 The131 N.C. Admin.Code tit. 02R.0302.132 OHIO ADMIN. CODE § 3745-1-50.133 OHIO REV. CODE ANN. § 6111.027.134 OHIO ADMIN. CODE § 3745-1-54.135 Id.136 Id.137 Ohio Dep’t <strong>of</strong> Natural Res., Wetland Mitigation <strong>Banking</strong>, athttp://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wetlands/banking.htm (last visited June18, 2004).four Corps districts with jurisdiction in <strong>the</strong> stateare <strong>the</strong> Buffalo District, <strong>the</strong> Pittsburgh District, <strong>the</strong>Hunting<strong>to</strong>n District, and <strong>the</strong> Louisville District.In 1999, OEPA and ODNR released <strong>the</strong> Ohio WetlandRes<strong>to</strong>ration and Mitigation Strategy Blueprint. 138The Blueprint lays out both a model for identification<strong>of</strong> high priority areas for protection, res<strong>to</strong>ration, andmitigation and a strategy for implementation <strong>of</strong> a statewetland mitigation banking policy and state res<strong>to</strong>rationgoals.Oklahoma (Phase IV)Oklahoma has not adopted guidelines, policies, orlegislation (beyond §404 requirements) concerningcompensa<strong>to</strong>ry mitigation for permitted impacts <strong>to</strong>wetlands or streams, including banking and in-lieufeeoperations. However, <strong>the</strong> state is taking steps<strong>to</strong>ward developing mitigation banks and is close <strong>to</strong>establishing a bank for <strong>the</strong> Oklahoma Department<strong>of</strong> Transportation. 139 The OCC has also established aclearinghouse for landowners wanting <strong>to</strong> engage inwetlands res<strong>to</strong>ration projects. 140 Oklahoma does notparticipate on <strong>the</strong> state’s Mitigation <strong>Banking</strong> ReviewTeam. 141Oregon (Phase II)Oregon requires compensa<strong>to</strong>ry mitigation for allwetland permits and allows for mitigation <strong>to</strong> be metthrough on- and <strong>of</strong>f-site mitigation, payment in lieu,138 Ohio Department <strong>of</strong> Natural Resources and Ohio EnvironmentalProtection Agency. September 1999. “Ohio Wetland Res<strong>to</strong>ration &Mitigation Strategy Blueprint.”http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/Nature/wetlands/strategy/tabid/5635/Default.aspx.139 Guided by a memorandum <strong>of</strong> agreement written in 1996, signa<strong>to</strong>ries<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> memorandum, <strong>the</strong> Tulsa District <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. Army Corps <strong>of</strong>Engineers, <strong>the</strong> U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, <strong>the</strong> U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency, Natural Resources <strong>Conservation</strong> Service, FederalHighway Administration, Oklahoma Department <strong>of</strong> Transportation,Oklahoma’s Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Secretary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Environment, OCC, and<strong>the</strong> ODWC, along with <strong>the</strong> ODEQ and <strong>the</strong> Nature Conservancy,drafted a banking instrument, but <strong>the</strong> bank has yet <strong>to</strong> be finalized.DuBois, supra note 10.140 Oklahoma <strong>Conservation</strong> Commission, Wetland Registry forLandowners, at http://www.okcc.state.ok.us/Wetlands/wetlands_registry.htm(last visited July 5, 2007).141 Personal communication with Chris DuBois, Wetland ProgramsCoordina<strong>to</strong>r, Okla. <strong>Conservation</strong> Comm’n (Jan. 11, 2007).<strong>Design</strong> <strong>of</strong> U.S. <strong>Habitat</strong> <strong>Banking</strong> <strong>Systems</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Support</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Conservation</strong> <strong>of</strong> Wildlife <strong>Habitat</strong> and At-Risk Species 95