A federal court decided in February that in the rush to transfer wetlands permitting authority to Florida in the final days of the Trump administration, federal agencies and officials had violated the Endangered Species Act and other federal laws.
Florida took over permitting under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act in December 2020. The EPA oversaw Florida’s program by reviewing draft permits. The state’s move was immediately challenged by environmental groups, seven of which filed a lawsuit in January 2021.
Courthouse News Service Reports: "The groups argued that the federal agencies and officials violated the Administrative Procedure Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act..."
The decision, by U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss only resolves part of the lawsuit. Issues raised by the plaintiffs concerning other violations of the Clean Water Act and the Administrative Procedure Act still remain before the court. More https://www.courthousenews.com/epa-broke-federal-law-in-handing-off-wetlands-permit-approval-to-florida-d-c-judge-rules/
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.
Read MoreThe 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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