​​​​​February 1, 2026
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Purpose

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is requesting cost estimate information for nontidal wetland mitigation projects as detailed below. This information will assist MDE in further informing the development of In-Lieu Fee (ILF) rates for an updated ILF Nontidal Wetlands Mitigation Program for consistency with the requirements of the federal 2008 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency an​d U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mitigation Rule.  MDE will consider these estimates as we evaluate potential updates to MDE's In-Lieu Fee (ILF) rates for nontidal wetland mitigation in Maryland.​

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Request for Estimates

Estimates of nontidal wetland only (mitigation/restoration/creation) projects are preferred, but projects that involve a nontidal stream/wetland complex will also be considered. Multiple cost estimates are requested and encouraged when available. To assist in data evaluation, estimates should include the following:

• Costs for nontidal wetland mitigation projects constructed or estimated within the last seven years
• Projects located in Maryland, with consideration of projects in adjacent states (Pennsylvania and Virginia) with comparable construction costs
• Brief project description
• Project proponent description (e.g., private, government, etc.)
• Location of project by 8-digit Federal Hydrologic Unit Code, County, and Physiographic Province (e.g., Coastal Plain, Piedmont)
• Type of project (e.g., restoration, creation, enhancement) and vegetative type (e.g., forested, scrub-shrub, emergent)
• Size of project (acres restored/created/enhanced and wetland mitigation credit)
• The total cost of the project, total cost per acre of wetland credit and if possible, costs broken down for the following items:
• Site search
• Acquisition of land and/or conservation easement
• Financial assurances (Construction and Monitoring/Maintenance)
• Survey/design/permitting
• Construction/planting
• Contingencies
• Monitoring/maintenance/remediation (including adaptive management)
• Long-Term Management Fund (using a Long-Term Steward)
• Catastrophic Event Fund
• Risk
  

• If costs are for an actual project or were a project estimate
• Date project cost was estimated/determined (MDE will adjust for inflation)
  
  

Requested information should be sent by March 1, 2026, to:

Ms. Kelly Neff
Wetlands and Waterways Protection Program
Maryland Department of the Environment
1800 Washington Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21230
Email: [email protected]