In the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2007, the Chicago Illinois Field Office reviewed and commented on 49 Pre-Construction and Public Notices proposed for authorization by the Chicago District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. 

The wetland impacts are a result of various types of activities including residential and commercial development, bridge and culvert replacements, and road improvement projects. 

Total impacts for these projects are 25.91 acres. 

Based in part on staff comments, the mitigation required for these projects totals 85.69 acres of mitigation.  This results in over a 3:1 mitigation ratio. 

Chicago Field Office's involvement with these projects would likely result in a higher mitigation total, because staff recommended that additional mitigation and/or higher mitigation ratios be required for some projects. 

Mitigation options include onsite mitigation, offsite mitigation, and the purchase of bank credits at one of several mitigation banks in the six county Chicago area. 

Onsite and offsite mitigation includes: wetland restoration, enhancement, and creation as well as streambank stabilization and in-stream restoration.