The Federal Mitigation Rule defines a mitigation bank as a s​ite, or suite of sites, where resources (e.g., wetlands, stream​​s, riparian areas) ​are restored, established, enhanced, and/or preserved for the purpose of providing compensatory mitigation for impacts authorized by permits (​mitigation bank factsheet​). In general, a mitigation bank sells compensatory mitigation credits to permittees whose obligation to provide compensatory mitigation is then transferred to the mitigation bank sponsor. The operation and use of a mitigation bank are governed by a mitigation banking instrument, which is a legal document reviewed and approved by the Interagency Review Team.​
​
MDE encourages the development of Mitigation Banks in Maryland. The Interagency Review Team (IRT), comprised of representatives from federal, State, and local agencies, meets monthly to discuss mitigation banking, MDE’s ILF Program, and general mitigation policies. The IRT continues to work to develop standard templates and Standard Operating Procedures to improve the efficiency of the mitigation bank review process and improve the environmental outcomes. As it is clear that Maryland would benefit from additional guidance on stream mitigation, a stream subgroup also meets on a regular basis to develop procedures and guidance related to stream mitigation. Please check back for updates on this stream subgroup.

The 2008 Federal Mitigation Rule requires that for a mitigation bank to be approved, it must follow a formal mitigation bank review process. This process includes the submittal and IRT review/approval of a Draft Prospectus, ​Prospectus, Draft Instrument, and Final Instrument. As part of the Prospectus, the mitigation bank sponsor must submit a complete Mitigation Bank Application​ to MDE.

​

Mitigation bankers interested in discussing potential mitigation banks are encouraged to contact Kelly Neff at 410-537-4018.

• IRT Meeting Schedule and Deadlines (PDF) 
  
• IRT Meeting Request Form​ (Word)
  

Information on mitigation banks in Maryland, including all major documents pertaining to the bank (e.g., Prospectus and Instrument), description of the bank, status of bank approval, service areas, available credits, and monitoring reports can be found on the US Army Corps of Engineers RIBITS website​.

 

Nontidal Wetlands:

• Typical Nontidal Wetland Mitigation Crediting Ratios by Mitigation Type (PDF)​
• Performance Standards and Monitoring:
• Ecological Performance Standards and Monitoring Protocol for Nontidal Wetland Mitigation (PDF)
• ​Mitigation Monitoring Report Summary Content Template (Word)
• ​Mitigation Monitoring and Performance Standards Summary Table Template (Word)

 

Tidal Wetlands:

• Example Performance Standards and Monitoring Protocol for Tidal Wetland Mitigation Banks (PDF) 
  
• Typical Tidal Wetland Mitigation Crediting Ratios by Mitigation Type​ (PDF)
  
• Typical Schedule of Credit Availability for Tidal Wetland Mitigation Banks (PDF)
  

 

Nontidal Wetlands, Tidal Wetlands and Waterways:

• Guidance Documents:
• Wetland and Waterway Mitigation Bank Approval Process in Maryland (PDF)
• Components of a Compensatory Mitigation Plan – Guidance for Developing Wetland and Waterway Mitigation in Maryland (PDF)
• Credit Release Schedule for Nontidal Wetland and Stream Mitigation Banks (PDF)
  
• Mitigation Site Selection Criteria (PDF)
  
• Site Evaluation Report​ (PDF)
  
• Map of 8-Digit HUCs and Physiographic Regions (JPG)
  
• Timeline/Process:
  
• Mitigation Bank Application​ (PDF)
• Mitigation Bank Process and Timeline: Draft Prospectus (PDF)​, Prospectus (PDF)​, Draft Mitigation Banking Instrument (PDF)​, and Final Mitigation Banking Instrument​ (PDF)
  
• Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument Amendment Process (PDF)
• Mitigation Bank Dispute Resolution Timeline (PDF)
• Interagency Review Team Contact Information (PDF)
  
• Submittal Checklists:
• Information for a Complete Mitigation Bank Draft Prospectus (PDF)
  
• Information for a Complete Mitigation Bank Prospectus (PDF)
  
• Requirements for a Complete Mitigation Bank Instrument (PDF) 
  
• Site Protection:
• Standards for Conservation Easement Holders for Mitigation Sites (PDF) 
  
• Example Joint Corps-MDE Mitigation Bank Site Conservation Easement (Word) 
  
• Example Joint Corps-MDE Mitigation Bank Site Declaration of Restrictive Covenants (Word) ​
• TNC Long-Term Stewardship Calculator
  
• Financial Assurance Cost Estimate Tool​
  
• Long-Term Management Plan Template​ (Word)​​
  
• Transfer of Mitigation Liability:​
  
• Transfer of Mitigation Responsibility and Sales ​Notice Template​ (Word)
  
• Statement of Credit Availability (Word)
  
• US Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District Mitigation website (includes links to Maryland Stream Mitigation Framework Version 1 Final)
  
• RIBITS (Regulatory In-Lieu Fee and Bank Informatio​n Tracking System)​: Provides useful information on mitigation banks and ILF programs across the country​​
  
• Management Considerations for Invasive Species​ (PDF)
  
• Mitigation Site Selection Using a Watershed Approach:
  
• Watershed Resources Registry​
  
• Prioritizing Areas for Restoration, Preservation, and Mitigation
  

 

 

 ​

​​