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Vol.
2, No. 8: August 27, 2007
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The Ecosystem Marketplace's Mitigation Mail
Conservation and Wetland News You Can Bank On
Injunctions, cease-and-desist orders, stop work orders...
Injunctions, cease-and-desist orders, stop work orders... These terms strike fear into the heart of some while serving as proof of justice and enforcement to others. This month’s news is highlighted by regulatory movement – both clarifying and yet-to-be-clarified. In Minnesota, confusion in the enforcement of Federal versus State wetland laws was cleared up after six cease-and-desist orders were issued in May. In contrast, development in eastern Sacramento came to a screeching halt due to a suit filed by the California Native Plant Society. CNPS claims Federal agencies did not take a "hard look" at the environmental impacts of the development projects before issuing the permits. Also of interest in the public sector, a version of the Farm Bill squeaked by the house in the past month. This version retains many of the entrenched subsidies but boosts spending on conservation – proposals for institutional infrastructure in the Farm Bill could have substantial impacts on environmental markets.
In addition to regulatory progress in this month’s news there is hard evidence of advancement on the ground. In Louisiana, a mitigation bank group venture recently purchased 2,200 aces of wetland for $2.4 million. In Florida, there are two instances of efforts to establish scrub jay conservation banks. In Texas, the Conservation Fund is proposing a 19,208-acre wetland mitigation bank to protect 22 miles along the Middle Neches River. And in Washington State, a mitigation bank is achieving it’s restoration goals but struggling to be profitable.
Other big news in the mitigation banking world is that Wayne White has joined the Wildlands Inc team. Wayne will be developing new projects in existing markets and opening new regional opportunities
—The Ecosystem Marketplace Team
If you have comments or would like to submit news stories, write to us at mitmail@ecosystemmarketplace.com.
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Group purchases land for mitigation bank (8/20/07)
Resource Environmental Solutions and several partners recently purchased about 2,200 acres of marsh and swamp land near Spanish Lake, LA for $2.4 million. The venture's plan is to restore the purchased land and set up a mitigation bank. The restoration will reduce the year-round water level that is drowning the property and hopefully improve floodwater storage.
– Read the story
Taking conservation to the bank (8/19/07)
The owners of a 6,000-acre ranch are pursuing two ways to keep a portion of their land profitable and out of the hands of developers. Ryals Citrus and Cattle Ranch, which straddles Shell Creek, wants to set aside 1,650 acres of its property to form a mitigation bank for Florida scrub jays, a threatened bird protected by federal wildlife laws."
– Read the story
– Read the story
State and federal wetland laws clarified (8/17/07)
"Questions regarding state and federal wetland laws were answered Thursday by state and federal officials during a meeting with representatives of International Falls and Koochiching County. ...To help prevent future issues with state wetland laws, the Board of Water and Soil Resources Executive Director John Jaschke discussed the northeast wetland mitigation strategy and plans other Minnesota cities have developed."
– Read the story
Corps of Engineers seeks comment on proposed mitigation area south of Diboll (8/8/07)
"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a call for public comment on a proposal to create a 19,208-acre wetland mitigation bank adjacent to the Neches River south of Diboll. ...Neches River Corridor. LLC, a mitigation bank established by The Conservation Fund, would provide a nearly continuous corridor along the Middle Neches River for wildlife to travel more than 22 miles."
– Read the story
Commission guardedly positive about scrub jay plan (8/8/07)
Charlotte County, FL is considering acquiring 2,000 acres of scrub jay habitat, that if used as a conservation bank could settle federal claims that the construction of homes in some zones is threatening the protected scrub jay. But the maddeningly slow pace of the government deliberations pushed Commissioner Tom D'Aprile to storm out of a recent meeting.
– Read the story
– Read the story
Wayne White Joins Wildlands, Inc. (8/7/07)
After 31 years of government service, Wayne White has joined the Wildlands Inc. project development team. "Mr. White recently retired as the Field Supervisor of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento field office—the largest in the United States. He was an integral part of developing policy for mitigation and conservation banks throughout California. ...Mr. White will be responsible for developing new projects in existing markets and opening new regional opportunities for Wildlands."
– Read Press Release
House Passes Massive Farm Bill (7/28/07)
A delicate balance was struck to pass the next Farm Bill through the House of Representatives. The current version retains many of the entrenched subsidies but boosts spending on conservation.
– Read the story
Wetlands ruling rattles Sunrise Douglas plans (7/14/07)
"U.S. District Court Judge Martin J. Jenkins ...issued a preliminary injunction in favor of the California Native Plant Society. ...The society had sued the federal agencies that granted permits to fill the wetlands. Jenkins suspended the permits of seven separate developments within Sunrise Douglas until the case can be decided."
– Read the story
Rebuilding Nature: Landowners get a shot at a cutting-edge investment if it is allowed to develop (7/6/07)
"All David Remlinger tried to do was earn a profit by preserving some local farmland and a swath of western Washington environment. After five years, he's done just about as much good for the land and the environment as anyone could imagine. But the profit-earning part, that's another story, and so far a frustrating one."
– Read the story
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Know someone who might be interested in the Ecosystem Marketplace and this newsletter?
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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Director Of Land Acquisitions-Mitigation Banking (California)
Seeking experienced, motivated individual for dynamic position in Southern Marin. Strong profit incentive package. Extensive investment capital immediately available. Send confidential resume to bill@kiplingpartners.com.
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