Westervelt Ecological Services (WES) offers the following services:
Wetland Mitigation Banks
Wetland mitigation banks provide restoration and enhancement of wetlands on large sites in advance of wetland impacts, and, in doing so, earn mitigation credits that can be used to satisfy mitigation requirements for future wetland impacts. Wetland mitigation banks provide superior ecological benefits over traditional forms of individual permittee mitigation, but also offer substantial cost savings and time efficiencies. Most important, mitigation banks provide severance of future liability to the public or private sector developer.
Conservation Banking
Conservation banks are similar to wetland mitigation banks except they address endangered species environmental impacts. Conservation banks allow a developer, who needs a permit to build or harvest in areas with endangered species, to satisfy their mitigation needs by purchasing credits.
Full Delivery Mitigation Projects
A full delivery mitigation project is a wetland or endangered species project that typically services a single development project or limited number of projects. These types of mitigation projects are established and implemented in the same manner as a formal mitigation bank, but can often be done in a more timely manner and can be tailored to a specific developer's needs.
Habitat Planning Services
WES can assist regional and local governments with the development of a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for a particular area or species. Regional HCPs can be required under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act. WES, working in conjunction with legal and biological consulting groups, can provide all implementation services and strategies (e.g., land acquisition, design-build, pricing structures, etc.) that are so vital to the successful implementation of these regional conservation efforts.
Partnership Projects
WES seeks to work with private landowners, local governments, land trusts, and other conservation non-profit organizations, in developing and establishing mitigation banks on their properties.
Mitigation Evaluations/Appraisal Services
Our expertise and experience in the field of habitat services can assist land owners and government entities in identifying and determining mitigation opportunities on their properties, along with subsequent valuation services.
Land Stewardship
WES has a long-standing commitment to land stewardship and, in partnership with its subsidiary units, can provide land stewardship services on natural and multi-use landscapes (e.g., agricultural and recreational lands).
For more information please contact us.