Guide to Purchasing Wetland Mitigation Credits

How Many Wetland Mitigation Credits Do I Need to Purchase?

Purchasing the correct number of wetland mitigation credits is crucial for project compliance and environmental conservation. The number of credits required is influenced by several factors, including the quality of the wetland and the size of the area impacted.

Determining Credit Requirements:

  1. Wetland Quality Assessment: The quality of the wetland, based on vegetation, soil, and hydrology, plays a significant role in determining the number of credits needed. A Uniform Mitigation Bank Assessment (UMAM) conducted by an environmental consultant will evaluate the wetland’s condition.
  2. Acreage and Impact Area: The size of the wetland area to be impacted directly influences credit requirements.
  3. UMAM Scoring: The UMAM score, ranging from 0 (insufficient support of wetland functions) to 1 (full support), helps quantify the functional loss and the number of credits required for mitigation.

Steps to Acquire Credits:

  1. Consultation: Begin with a wetland delineation and UMAM scoring by an environmental consultant based on your site plans.
  2. Application Submission: Work with your consultant to submit an application to the local Water Management District (WMD) or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), detailing the mitigation needed to offset the proposed impact.

Pricing and Quality Levels:

  1. Every mitigation bank has different pricing, with costs varying based on the wetland’s UMAM score. For instance, an acre of average quality wetland may cost approximately $132,000.00.

  2. Credit costs can significantly differ based on the wetland’s quality, from low to high, with specific examples provided for better understanding.

Case Example:

Mitigation Credits are $125,000.00

Low Quality Wetland (UMAM Score: 0.4): $50,000.00/acre of impact

Average Quality Wetland (UMAM Score: 0.8): $100,000.00/acre of impact

You can see the dramatic difference in the financial recourse regarding the quality of the wetland/surface water functions that will be adversely disturbed. Therefore, it was vital to have a UMAM score obtained from an environmental consultant to understand if the wetland on your property is considered: LOW, AVERAGE OR HIGH QUALITY.

* Mitigation Credit pricing varies depending on the location of the impact.

Financial Considerations:

  1. The price per acre of impact is influenced by the UMAM credit value, with average costs and ranges provided to give an idea of the financial implications of wetland impacts across Florida.

For detailed guidance and to discuss the specific requirements of your project, contact Victoria Bruce at Mitigation Banking Group. Our expertise can help streamline your project’s compliance process while supporting environmental sustainability.