Dec21
Technology impacts the way we live and work. Natural resources consulting is no exception. Victoria presents at the Ecobot 2020 Webinar Series on Impacts of Changes to Wetlands Mitigation Banking! mitigationbankinginc.com (407) 960-5787
Dec05
In this webinar scheduled for December 9th at 12:30pm EST, co-hosted with Esri, we will hear from seasoned wetland mitigation bankers and consulting scientists who are navigating recent changes in wetland policy. We will take a look at the impacts of changes to Nationwide Permits, the Navigable Water Protection Rule, and NEPA rollbacks while also highlighting how technological developments can help simplify complex regulatory processes. Moderators: Jeremy Schewe, PWS, Chief Scientific Officer, Ecobot Daniel Martin, Consultant/Project Manager,
Nov19
MBG, Inc assists clients with the due-diligence and acquisition process by providing a detailed market analysis of current supply in the market and historic demand within that specific region. Victoria Bruce connects Mitigation Bankers with suitable Investors looking to invest in a mitigation bank. Mitigation Bankers who are interested in entering the market rely on MBG, Inc. for vital historical analysis of mitigation credit sales and project data needed to help the process be seamless!
Oct28
A pending decision would authorize the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to assume administration of the federal Clean Water Act, section 404 dredge and fill permitting program from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). If approved, FDEP would issue federal 404 permits instead of USACE, thus FDEP will be the lead agency in Florida for administering the State 404 Permit Program. The strategies and priorities for permit review, compliance monitoring and enforcement of permits, and against persons conducting unauthorized discharges
Sep09
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provided notice on August 20, 2020, that they received a complete package from the State of Florida requesting to assume administration of a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 program. The CWA established the Section 404 program, under which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) may issue permits for the discharge of dredged or fill material into “waters of the United States” as identified in the CWA. Section 404(g)(1) of the CWA provides states
Aug20
1. Benefits to the Environment Establishment of a mitigation bank brings together financial resources, biological planning and scientific expertise. Consolidating these resources increase the potential for long-term successful mitigation that maximizes contribution to the environment. A large scale mitigation bank project has the opportunity to maintain the integrity of the aquatic ecosystem. The complexity of a wetland is difficult to encompass in a small development project. The larger mitigation bank has a better chance of encompassing all necessary biological functions. 2. Save
Jul29
The 2020 Florida Chamber Environmental Permitting Summer School Conference was one of the first conferences in the country to gather since the outbreak of Covid-19. The conference was well attended with the current circumstances of COVID-19, and great Social Distancing measures were taken. The new approach of the HYBRID Conference Format seemed to work out very nicely. There were approx. 452 total attendees, which consisted of Sponsors, Exhibitors, Speakers and Attendees: 287 virtual (64%) & 165 in-person (36%), while the
Jul10
Introducing the United States Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) New Final Prospectus Template. Use this guide to submit the Prospectus, the Initial Step to Obtain a Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) for the ACOE. This document will initiate the planning and review process by the appropriate agencies. Prior to submitting a prospectus, bank sponsors are encouraged to discuss their proposal with the appropriate agencies (e.g., pre-application coordination). View the USACE Prospectus
Jul06
On June 22, 2020, President Donald Trump signed The Navigable Waters Protection Rule to define the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The new rule repeals the 2015 Clean Water Rule which will limit the extent of federal regulation. However, it will provide a consistent and clear definition of the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS). Throughout the U.S., Court challenges are already underway, and states have conflicting rulings. This new rule reverts regulations to the 1986 version of WOTUS. Under the
Jun24
The Navigable Waters Protection Rule to define “Waters of the United States” became effective on June 22, 2020 and will replace the Step One Rule published in October, 2019. For the first time, the agencies are streamlining the definition so that it includes four simple categories of jurisdictional waters, provides clear exclusions for many water features that traditionally have not been regulated, and defines terms in the regulatory text that have never been defined before. Congress, in the Clean Water Act, explicitly
