Neoverde Basin 21 Mitigation Bank
The Neoverde Basin 21 Mitigation Bank (NVMB) spans 1,301 acres in southern Volusia County, Florida, just east of I-95 and south of Maytown Road. Located within the Northern Indian River Lagoon Basin (Basin 21), this bank plays a vital role in restoring the western headwaters of Turnbull Hammock, which drains into the Indian River Lagoon through Turnbull Creek.
Permitted by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) using the UMAM assessment method, NVMB offers Forested Freshwater State Credits to offset wetland impacts for qualifying Environmental Resource Permits (ERP).
Project Scope and Restoration Goals
The primary goal of the Neoverde Basin 21 Mitigation Bank is to restore and permanently protect forested freshwater wetlands while improving watershed-level ecological function. Restoration efforts are designed to support native species, improve hydrology, and reconnect critical wetland systems across the region.
The project includes:
- Removal of redundant dirt roads and fill
- Filling roadside swales and ditches to restore natural hydrological flow
- Installation of 10 low water crossings to support ongoing management access without disrupting water movement
- Reestablishment of natural wetland hydrology within the site’s forested systems
These improvements aim to increase water storage and filtration, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce nutrient loading to the Indian River Lagoon.
Environmental Significance
Neoverde Basin 21 is situated in an ecologically strategic area:
- Part of the Volusia County Conservation Corridor
- Included in the Florida Forever Blueway Project
- Adjacent to Cape Atlantic Estates
- Located within one mile of Turnbull Hammock Conservation Area (SJRWMD) and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge / Canaveral National Seashore
This connectivity strengthens the long-term preservation of native habitats and contributes to regional landscape-scale conservation efforts.
