NEBA Working with the Environmental Law Institute

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) hosted a State of Compensatory Mitigation seminar last week and National Environmental Banking Association (NEBA) Chairwoman Donna Collier was one of the panel members. Collier told the audience that “The mitigation banking program is the best thing our government has ever done for the environment. Private ownership brings a level of commitment to the success of our projects that never existed before.” She added “Banks streamline permits and create jobs in the private sector, simultaneously boosting economic development while offering reliable long-term protection for our precious environmental resources.” The seminar was held in conjunction with ELI’s annual National Wetlands Awards. That event, held later the same day on Capitol Hill, acknowledged individuals who have distinguished themselves in wetlands protection, restoration, and education. NEBA member and Trout Headwaters, Inc. (THI) Vice President Luke Frazza delivered the keynote address at that awards ceremony. Frazza discussed a number of successful environmental public-private partnerships THI had participated in and told the audience “there is no shortage of environmental challenges and these challenges need all our tools, all of our planning, and definitely all our commitment.” ELI Vice President Jay Pendergrass surprised those gathered when he announced the creation of a new award category, one that will acknowledge a private-sector restoration firm. Pendergrass said “the award was created in recognition of the important work that the private sector does in the protection and restoration of wetlands.” This new private sector recognition and ELI’s inclusion of NEBA’s members in its events bodes well for NEBA, as ELI has long been considered a trusted voice in the environmental industry.