Science Services Support: Wetland Mitigation

The wetland mitigation program establishes guidelines for required compensatory mitigation for permitted wetland loss in Wisconsin. These guidelines are typically for agency personnel, mitigation bank sponsors, permit applicants, and others. They help customers in meeting the requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act [exit DNR] (including the USEPA 404(b)1 Guidelines and the November 1995 Federal Mitigation Banking Guidance), Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act [exit DNR], Section 281.37 of the Wisconsin Statutes [exit DNR], Chapter NR 103 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code [exit DNR], and other applicable federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, guidelines, and ordinances.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation projects continue to be reviewed in accordance with the DNR/DOT Cooperative Agreement and the Wetland Mitigation Banking Technical Guideline dated July 1993 (as amended). The guidelines that the wetland mitigation program support will not tell someone how to construct a wetland compensation site, but does provide details on what information is needed before a compensation project may proceed. Enforcement authority associated with any compensatory mitigation follows the authority listed in the pertinent statute or law under which the permit, permit conditions, contract, or court order requiring compensatory mitigation was issued.

Science Services recently published a document entitled Guidelines for Wetland Compensatory Mitigation in Wisconsin [PDF 1.4MB] to help aid customers and staff.

For more information on the department´s role in wetland mitigation activities please contact:
Dave Siebert
(608) 264-6048, or
visit our Web site for Wetland Compensatory Mitigation