US port embraces environmental mitigation

The Port of Vancouver USA in Washington has approved the purchase of environmental mitigation credits from the nearly 900-acre Wapato Valley Mitigation and Conservation Bank (Wapato Bank) property in anticipation of several upcoming projects.

Wapato Bank will offer credits as mitigation from off-site development impacts. In addition to avoiding and minimising impacts during project design, the Port of Vancouver USA will purchase credits and use debits to help balance the environmental impacts of their projects through this system of mitigation banking.

“The funding from these credit sales will support the restoration construction and perpetual maintenance of the biodiverse floodplain habitats found at Wapato Valley,” said Kelley Jorgensen, president of conservation with the Wapato Valley Mitigation and Conservation Bank. “We are grateful to the Port of Vancouver for its commitment to and support of our conservation efforts.”

The Wapato Bank offers several types of credits through the Washington mitigation banking system, including wetland, in-water or fish habitat and oak habitat credits.

Mitigation banking is a system of exchange with credits and debits that help ensure that business development impacts by public and private entities are offset by efforts of restoration, enhancement or preservation of a project with similar ecological features.