Wetland and Stream Mitigation Bank
In an effort to continue the advancement of conservation in our county, the District has created a Wetland and Stream Mitigation Bank. Through mitigation banking, the District can restore local wetland habitats while also establishing an alternative funding source to support future conservation projects.
About Wetland and Stream MitigationWhat is a Mitigation Bank?
A Mitigation Bank is defined by the EPA as "...a wetland, stream, or other aquatic resource area that has been restored, established, enhanced, or (in certain circumstances) preserved for the purpose of providing compensation for unavoidable impacts to aquatic resources permitted under Section 404 or a similar state or local wetland regulation. A mitigation bank may be created when a government agency, corporation, nonprofit organization, or other entity undertakes these activities under a formal agreement with a regulatory agency."
What are Mitigation Credits?
Credits are the unit of trade or value of a bank. Regulatory bodies determine the value of banks based on advanced ecological assessments.
Purchasing Policies and Procedures
If you are interested in the purchase of wetland or stream mitigation credits, please read over our Mitigation Bank Credit Sales Policy and complete the Request for Purchase form and return it to our Sales Review Team. Available credits are also listed on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers RIBITS (Regulatory In lieu fee and Bank Information Tracking System) website.
Request for Purchase Form
Available Credits
School Springs Stream and Wetland Mitigation Bank
| Credits Currently Available | Pricing |
| 3.71 acres wetland credit | $96,000/acre |
| 643 feet of upper perennial (R3) stream credit | $600/linear foot |
Project Overview
When McHenry County Conservation District conducted the restoration of the School Springs Wetland in Ringwood, it also created a public mitigation bank in advance of future wetland disturbances and impacts. The 2019 project is in the second growing season, and is partially meeting performance standards. 
The project included re-establishing 20 acres of wet prairie/sedge meadow wetlands and 5,000 feet of perennial stream, buffered by 10 acres of grassland and savanna. A new stream channel and floodplain were created where a former stream once flowed. The project involved installing riffles, removing drainage tiles and ditches, and removing invasive trees and brush to restore the wetland and stream hydrology.
