What is Wetland Mitigation Banking?
Wetland mitigation banks allow farmers, developers, corporations and highway and industrial developers to purchase wetland credits to replace and compensate for unavoidable losses to natural wetland areas. Before wetland credits are sold, developers must try do the following: locate an alternative development site, minimize wetland damage, and mitigate damages on-site. If all the above alternatives are unavailable the wetland credits can be sold to the developers with the approval of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies.
Why Do I Need It?
New regulations are being put into place that prevent the loss of natural wetlands within the U.S. borders have recently been enforced by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The regulations require that any damage to wetlands equaling 1/10 acre or more be mitigated, in effecting creating a no net-loss policy for natural wetlands.
How Can Thien Farm Management Help Me?
Thien Farm Management, Inc. has successfully started the first wetland mitigation bank in the State of Iowa. The G. William Coulthard Wetland Mitigation Bank is available for use for people or companies needing to mitigate natural wetland damages. The entire process of site location, permit process, and development has taken over two years and has been a great learning experience.
With our knowledge of the wetland mitigation bank process we can now offer consulting to those interested in starting a wetland mitigation bank here in Iowa or across the nation. Our consulting services range from total wetland mitigation bank development to simply answering questions about the entire process. Thien Farm Management, Inc. can locate the proper site, determine the need for a bank, prescribe a development plan, develop a prospectus, communicate with all the government agencies involved, and draft the wetland banking instrument.
Thien Farm Management, Inc. currently manages and maintains five wetland mitigation banks across the State of Iowa. Our wetland mitigation banks are located in Harrison County, Woodbury County, Tama County, Clinton County, and Jasper County.