News Release
| Release Number: | 05-065 |
| Dated: | 5/11/2005 |
| Contact: | Diana J. Fredlund, 503-808-4510 |
PORTLAND, Ore. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking comments on an in-lieu fee program that will satisfy compensatory mitigation needs under the Clean Water Act and offers another option for mitigating wetlands losses.
The in-lieu fee program is a mitigation option that would allow a permit requestor to pay a fee to a Corps-identified third party sponsor, who would then assume responsibility for implementing a compensatory mitigation project as required by a Corps permit action. The third party sponsors will be conservation-minded organizations that will provide permit applicants with a voluntary, alternative compensatory mitigation option that will result in better designed and managed aquatic resource restoration projects.
Each proposed third party sponsor will establish formal agreements with the Corps prior to any money exchange. A draft template based on federal guidance will be used to establish agreements. The decision to establish an in-lieu fee agreement will be made only after a full public notice comment period and consultation with other agencies.
Comments must be received by June 1, 2005. A copy of the public notice may be found at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/docs/notices/In_Lieu_Fee.pdf.
For more information on any public notice under consideration by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, please visit the permit section on the Portland District’s website at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil.