Historically, due to lack of available mitigation bank credits in a given Service Area, Mosaic Fertilizer LLC (Mosaic) has provided “onsite permittee-responsible” mitigation concurrent with state required post-mining reclamation. Recently, because of a stated preference by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for mitigation bank credits over onsite permittee-responsible mitigation, Mosaic has begun using mitigation banks to satisfy these requirements. To ensure appropriate and adequate credit availability to offset impacts for future mining projects, Mosaic has now ventured into the wetland mitigation banking business, and currently has two proposed mitigation banks. 

Verdantas assisted with all aspects of these venture from providing a marketing analysis and business planning to obtaining both state (Environmental Resource Permit (ERP)) and federal (Prospectus and Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI)) permitting approvals. 

Verdantas performed desktop and field analyses to determine historic and current site conditions that were ultimately used to inform proposed mitigation activities. These analyses included wetland and surface water identification and assessment, land use/cover mapping, and listed species/habitat presence. A long-term (2+ years) hydrologic study of groundwater and surface water was also conducted to aid in the design of wetland creation, reestablishment and enhancement area design and construction. Habitats included streams, as well as forested and herbaceous uplands and freshwater wetlands. Verdantas also participated in agency coordination, meetings and reviews which are integral to the permitting process. 

Ultimately, the projects will result in restoration and permanent protection of several thousand acres of wetlands and uplands in the Peace River basin. Nearly 200 forested and over 700 herbaceous wetland mitigation credits will be generated over the life of the projects.