John Paul Woodley issued the 2008 Final Rule for Mitigation (The Rule) on behalf of the Corps of Engineers. And so the Board of Directors could not be more honored to announce that we have the man himself as he begins formal representation of the National Environmental Banking Association in Washington, DC starting this month.
JP Woodley of Advantus Strategies
Mr. Woodley has developed insights and abilities in service at the highest levels of State and Federal Government. He served as Deputy Attorney General of Virginia for Government Operations, then as Secretary of Natural Resources for Virginia, with overall responsibility for all environmental protection and permitting, outdoor recreation and open space management, inland and marine fisheries and historic resources in the Commonwealth. In 2001, he was appointed by Pres. George W. Bush to the U.S. Department of Defense as principal environmental advisor to the Secretary of Defense. From 2003 to 2009, Mr. Woodley served as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, responsible for the civil works functions of the Dept. of the Army, including the civil works activities of the Army Corps of Engineers and Arlington National Cemetery. He implemented a major business process transformation within the Corps starting with the first use of performance-based budgeting in Corps history.
Mr. Woodley was involved in the reconstruction of the hurricane protection system for New Orleans, Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, and the restoration of the Florida Everglades.
And, importantly he issued the 2008 Final Rule for Mitigation, a joint Corps-EPA regulation.
His honors include:
U.S. Army Decoration for distinguished Civilian Service
Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service
Silver de Fleury Medal from the Army Engineer Regiment
Fellow of the U.S. Section of PIANC, the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure.
Distinguished Diplomate in Navigation Engineering of the Academy of Coastal, Ocean, Port & Navigation Engineers (ACOPNE)
He resides with his wife in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Join Mr. Woodley, the NEBA Board, and other interested members on the NEBA monthly Industry Update teleconference and be sure to register for the free NEBA DC Fly- In.
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.
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