New Report Offers Best Practices to Improve Third-Party Compensatory Mitigation Review Process
August 2020

(Washington, D.C.): Healthy wetlands benefit our environment and economy in a number of ways, from providing habitat to wildlife and fisheries, to improving water quality, to offering opportunities for recreation. The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires certain impacts to be compensated, and each year, thousands of acres of wetlands and streams are restored, enhanced, and protected to satisfy the Act’s compensatory mitigation requirements.

New Report Outlines Effective and Innovative “In-Lieu Fee” Compensatory Mitigation Programs Nationwide
July 2019

(Washington, DC) — Recent historic flooding across the United States and the ever-increasing threat of powerful hurricanes have highlighted the importance of healthy wetlands and the consequences of the loss of these critical habitats. These vital ecosystems provide a number of economic and environmental benefits, including improved water quality, flood control, wildlife and fisheries habitat, and recreational opportunities. The Clean Water Act (CWA) regulates impacts to wetlands and other aquatic resources.

In-Lieu Fee Mitigation: Review of Program Instruments and Implementation Across the Country
Author
Environmental Law Institute and Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, Stetson University College of Law
Date Released
July 2019
In-Lieu Fee Mitigation: Review of Program Instruments and Implementation Across

In-Lieu Fee (ILF) mitigation is one of the three primary mechanisms—along with mitigation banks and permittee responsible mitigationthat permittees can use to satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements. Through an ILF program, a permittee may satisfy their legal obligations under the 2008 Compensatory Mitigation Rule by purchasing credits from the program “sponsor”a government or non-profit natural resources management entitywho then uses the funds to restore, enhance, or protect wetlands and streams.

Environmental Law Institute to Recognize “Wetland Heroes” at 30th Annual National Wetlands Awards
May 2019

(Washington, DC): The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is pleased to announce the winners of the 30th Annual National Wetlands Awards: Dr. Robert Gearheart; Joel Gerwein; Richard Grant; Tom and Mary Beth Magenau; Greg Sutter; Dr. Robert A. Thomas; and Angela Waupochick. The recipients, all of which have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the conservation and restoration of our nation’s wetlands, will be honored on May 7 in Washington, D.C.