News Release
| Release Number: | 05-147 |
| Dated: | 10/31/2005 |
| Contact: | Mike McAleer, 503-808-4510 |
PORTLAND, Ore. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Oregon Division of State Lands (DSL) have approved a wetland mitigation bank near Adair, Benton County, Ore.
The mitigation bank, named the Mid-Valley Mitigation Bank, is being proposed by the Marvin and Cindy Gilmour.
A wetland mitigation bank is a means to meet the requirements for compensatory mitigation for future and as yet unknown wetland losses which may be permitted by the Corps under the authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and by the DSL in implementing the provisions of Oregon's Removal-Fill Law (ORS 196.800 - 196.990) and according to Rules for Issuance and Enforcement of Removal and Fill Permits (OAR 141-85-005 to OAR 141- 85-660).
The primary goal of the bank is to restore (11.6 acres) and create (4.78 acres) a seasonally-saturated or ponded wetland from 16.38 acres of upland and cropped wetland including portions of forest, shrub, prairie, and emergent (marsh) wetlands. This area will have a hydrogeomorphic classification of slope/flat. This restored area will provide increased functionality in surface water retention and infiltration, water purification, vegetation diversity, and wildlife habitat.
The bank is also enhancing the functions of existing ash swale and shrub wetland for a total enhancement of 10.17 acres. The enhancement portion of the bank will have a hydrogeomorphic classification of riverine impounding. The bank also includes about six acres of upland forest and existing wetland as a buffer between the bank and adjacent properties.
The service area, which is the area within which the mitigation credits generated by the bank may be used, includes a portion of the 4th Field Hydrologic Unit 17090003, within Linn, Benton, Lane, and Polk counties, including the communities of Falls City, Corvallis, Philomath, Tangent, Lebanon, Monroe and Junction City (Enclosure 2). A map of the service area and information on contacting the bank sponsor is also available on the DSL website: http://oregon.gov/DSL/PERMITS/mitbank_status.shtml and the Corps’ website: www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g.