Southeast Alaska Region Scoping Discussion

Wetland Mitigation: Policies, Frameworks and Opportunities

We inspire SE Alaskan’s and support community organizations working towards the wise management of our watersheds

Thank you to our partners

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service

The National Forest Foundation

Heidi Firstencel from the Army Corps of Engineers, Matthew Lacroix with the

Environmental Protection Agency, David D’Amore from the Forest Service and Neil Stichert with the

Fish and Wildlife ServiceAlso to Michael Murphy, Francis Naglich and Steve Sego for

making the trip north to share your perspectives and insights.

Introductions

Why you are here and why wetland mitigation is important to SAWC

Objectives of today’s meeting

NameAffiliation and Focus Why this topic is important

Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition

We inspire Southeast Alaskan’s and support community organizations working towards the

wise management of our watersheds

Goal

SE Alaska is a place where a network of community-based watershed efforts is achieving

informed management of the resources

How we support community-based watershed management efforts(CBWM)

• SAWC provides resources and trainings to SE communities ✔Community-based watershed management and ✔Watershed planning

• SAWC works to promote policies, management strategies and collaboration that build the capacity of community-based watershed management efforts.

Why Community-Based Watershed Management?

The health of our communities and economies depend on the health of our watersheds.

Central to natural resources and land management should be the concerns and priorities of the community impacted.

Why are we here?

wetland mitigation is important to us

We are watershed mitigation practitioners on the local level.

Wetland development, mitigation and management decisions impact the health of our communities, economies and watersheds.

SAWC’s Wetland Mitigation Initiative

Is a long term opportunity to provide SE communities with monies to carry out mitigation

projects

And

A direct and pro-active response to community frustration in regards to the inconsistencies and misunderstanding around the 2008 Final Rule

In-Lieu Fee Program

1. Restoration, Enhancement, Creation Focus

2. Watershed Approach that works to prioritize the projects identified by community-based watershed management plans

3. Stewarded by community over the long term

4. Builds Economy of Scale

The Final Rule on Compensatory Mitigation: losses for aquatic habitat

Provides a standard “outlined” process for federal, state and local agencies to utilize in developing management strategies for wetland mitigation

Ensures the use of best available science

Predictable and efficient

Alaska- Few to no developed

strategies for wetland mitigation

- Is working to, but has not yet compiled the best available science and organized it in the context of mitigation

- Because of the above the process varies from applicant to applicant

Final Rule

Federal Rule

Improves the planning, implementation and management of compensatory mitigation projects

Clarifies the Watershed Approach

Has no “example” to shape “best practices” in the Alaska context for mitigation projects

Lacks watershed assessments and plans

Alaska

Ground Truth-ing

Objectives 

Build Awareness of the Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources, 2008 Final Rule

Share information and resources that can contribute to the development of effective wetland mitigation management strategies on the federal, state and local levels.

Objectives cont.

Identify resources available and resources needed to support the third-party mitigation in SE Alaska

Encourage collaboration and strategic partnerships to advance credible wetland mitigation projects in SE Alaska

Questions or Comments?