USACE has just announced the upcoming migration of RIBITS to the cloud on Amazon Web Services. Administrators expect moving RIBITS to the cloud environment will make access for users easier, facilitate data sharing with other programs, provide the system with additional capabilities, and provide RIBITS with Development and Training environments. Final system migration will place a short hold on RIBITS data entry to ensure that no data is lost in the process.
There are also upgrades coming to RIBITS over the next
couple of months. Improvements will include FHWA modifications allowing
RIBITS to track activities for example by the range-wide Indiana Bat ILF
program overseen by the Service. Additionally, new permissions have been developed
("Consumer" permissions) that as assigned by a district, region, or
FO would allow a DOT or MPO (Municipal Planning Organization) to manage bulk
credits purchased by the DOT or MPO.
RIBITS is also being upgraded to track NRDA (Natural
Resource Damage Assessment) activities, first under a pilot project for
Portland Harbor (OR), with a framework useful to tracking NRDA actions in other
parts of the country.
Mitigation banking is often discussed in terms of credits—wetland credits, stream credits, or other units used to compensate for unavoidable environmental impacts. But the value of a mitigation bank extends far beyond the regulatory credit itself. Well-designed mitigation banks can provide a broad range of ecosystem services that benefit watersheds, wildlife, communities, and taxpayers.
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The National Environmental Banking Association is proud to honor this year’s award recipients—leaders who exemplify innovation, integrity, and excellence in advancing mitigation banking and ecological restoration. These individuals and organizations are setting new standards for environmental outcomes, strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors, and inspiring the next generation of restoration professionals. 2026
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