C.R. Farms, LLP Wetland Bank
Minnesota | Water
Overview
ISG provided wetland restoration and compliance services for this wetland bank.
Opportunity
This wetland bank project required significant coordination with state, local, and federal authorities to ensure project success and compliance.
Solution
This wetland restoration included two wetland basins located within an agricultural field that totals 4.5 acres of New Wetland Credit (NWC), and provides 4.5 acres of Public Value Credit (PVC) with a native upland buffer adjacent to the restored wetland basins. Target wetland communities included Type 2 wet meadow, Type 3 shallow marsh, and Type 4 deep marsh, along with native prairie uplands. Wetland hydrology was restored by altering the existing tile drainage system in the agricultural field and constructing two small berms on the proposed wetland bank site. Wetland and upland prairie vegetation was restored by seeding the designated upland, shallow marsh wetland, and wet meadow transition zone areas and planting live emergent vegetation in deep marsh areas. ISG collaborated with the Le Sueur County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—while also serving the best interest of the private sector client—in obtaining wetland bank application approval and credit certification. ISG provided engineering, survey, and environmental services and is monitoring for hydrology and vegetation for a period of 5 years to ensure the success of the wetland.