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COURSE INFO PROVIDER: SWSPCP Webinar
COURSE TITLE: Development and Implementation of an Agricultural Wetlands Mitigation Bank

INSTRUCTORS Will Duggins
Tyler Bell

COURSE DESCRIPTION Development and Implementation of an Agricultural Wetlands Mitigation Bank
Will Duggins, MS
May 18, 2023

Keywords: agriculture, conservation, policy, restoration, wetlands

ABSTRACT:
The Swampbuster provisions (also known as conservation compliance provisions) aim to de-incentivize agricultural commodities production on converted wetlands. When producers seek benefits through most USDA programs, they commit to specific conservation measures, including affirming that they will not drain, dredge, or fill wetlands to grow commodity crops. In situations where avoidance or on-site mitigation is challenging, the Farm Bill allows for off-site mitigation through agricultural wetland mitigation banking. Westervelt Ecological Services worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service of Nebraska to develop the North Utica Agricultural Mitigation Bank. The agricultural bank, located in Seward County, Nebraska, is the first of its kind in the region and comprised the re-establishment of a 40-acre historic Rainwater Basin playa wetland. The project provides valuable habitat to the federally endangered whooping crane and restores essential wetland habitats in the Central Flyway. In developing this project, Westervelt was responsible for securing the land and all necessary regulatory and permitting approvals, oversight of the design plan development, and development and implementation of the monitoring and management plans. During and after construction, Westervelt project tasks included implementation, funding, securing the site conservation easement and long-term endowment, and overall site maintenance.

BIOs:
Will Duggins and Tyler Bell work in Westervelt Ecological Services' Rocky Mountain Region, with Will as the Business Development Manager and Tyler as the Regional Director. Will Duggins has ten years of project management, business development, due diligence, siting, permitting, and GIS mapping experience. Will has led project teams on a range of acquisition and development projects throughout the Rockies and West Coast.

Tyler has 18 years of experience in wetland research, permitting, and mitigation experience. She is a Professional Wetland Scientist and serves as Secretary for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists. She is also a certified wildlife biologist.

Credit Points: 0.06

SYLLABUS/TOPICAL OUTLINE PROGRAM OUTLINE: Introduction (5 mins) NRCS Wetland Banking Program (15 mins) - Farm Bill, Swampbusters, and agricultural wetland mitigation - Stakeholders - Program framework North Utica Agricultural Mitigation Bank Site (20 mins) - design approach - implementation - benefits to species and landscapes Questions & Answers (15 mins)

COURSE CONTACT

Louis Mantini
9225 CR49, Live Oak, FL, FL 32060
lfm@srwmd.org
P: 13866974891
F:

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