Palmer Hough and Rachel Harrington of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), writing in January's Environmental Law Reporter reflect on the past decade's progress and the significant collective efforts of "mitigation practitioners, private-sector entrepreneurs, conservation organizations, scientists, and regulators in improving 1. 33 U.S.C. §§1251-1387, §1344, ELR Stat. FWPCA §§101-607."
Hough was the USEPA's lead author on the 2008 Compensatory Mitigation Rule, which was developed jointly with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He currently serves as EPA’s national lead on wetland, stream, and other aquatic resource mitigation.
The report documents the growth in mitigation banking, increases in credit transactions, time savings for permittees using mitigation credits and the fact that more permittees are using mitigation credits to offset unavoidable impacts. A fascinating report written by folks who truly understand the industry. Read More via NEBA's Reports Page
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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