Compensatory mitigation helps conserve aquatic resources and at-risk species by offsetting permitted impacts under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and other federal laws. Mitigation can take the form of credits from a bank, in-lieu fee programs, or permittee-responsible projects. This free, eight-part webinar series — led by top experts — will cover key topics including federal regulations, mitigation types, and the roles of agencies and review teams.
This series is for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of compensatory mitigation. It fosters collaboration among regulators, mitigation sponsors, and credit buyers while covering core policies, program implementation, in-lieu fee programs, and credit trading systems. Attending all eight sessions provides a comprehensive view of how these topics connect.
It is recommended that participants watch the recording of Webinar 1 prior to attending this webinar.
Webinar 3 will review the process and approaches for defining and managing the service area of a conservation bank, mitigation bank, or in-lieu fee program site. Instructors will also discuss requirements for site protection under different scenarios and the legal documents and mechanisms that can provide long-term protection of a conservation bank, mitigation bank, or other compensatory mitigation site.
Session 1: Service Area Determination
Session Goal: To review the process and approaches for defining and managing the service area of a compensatory mitigation project
Session 2: Site Protection Requirements and Mechanisms
Session Goals: To review the legal requirements for site protection in the 2008 Rule and any relevant ESA documents; summarize the private property legal documents that will be affected by a conservation bank, mitigation bank, or other compensatory mitigation site; provide an overview of potential legal issues (e.g., split estates) and their impact on real estate assurances; and provide an overview of mechanisms available for the long-term protection of submerged state lands and adjacent areas.
Presenters:
- Palmer Hough, US Environmental Protection Agency
- John Wigginton, Westervelt Ecological Services
- Veronica Rowan, Former Solicitor Department of Interior
- Susan-Marie Stedman, Retired NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
Past Events
- The Conservation Fund Compensatory Mitigation Webinar Series - Webinar 1: Compensatory Mitigation Overview and Regulatory Drivers, Online, 4 September 2025 16:00-19:00 UTC