There are over 800 mitigation banks of different types across the nation. The most important aspect of establishing a quality restoration site is working with the land owners to make sure the project objectives are clear and meet the land owners needs as well.

How it works:

1. EarthMark must secure the land from the land owner by negotiating an option agreement with the land owner on the acreage around the stream that we desire to restore.
2. EarthMark collects scientific data on stream conditions.
3. We then design a plan that will establish how much improvement to the stream we can create.
4. EarthMark then presents the design to various regulatory agencies for approval.
5. Once approved, EarthMark pays the land owner based on the option agreement, and then begins restoring the stream.
6. The land owner retains title ownership to the land and stream and EarthMark pays for the stream restoration.

So, what’s the catch?
There isn’t one. For years private and public developers have attempted to provide adequate compensation (mitigation) for negative environmental impacts to streams caused by their projects. However, these entities are not experts in stream restoration, and have primary focuses on their real business be it roads, coal, or houses. So a need arose for a company that specializes in stream and wetland restoration. In 1995, the government passed federal and state laws and legislation supporting the development of privately funded restoration projects called Mitigation Banks to be completed in advance of impacts. Stream Restoration and stream bank stabilizations of this quality costs hundreds of thousands of dollars per project, and all parties benefit when they are done right the first time, by a qualified and experienced company such as EarthMark Mitigation Services.

The benefit!
By working with EarthMark Mitigation Services you:
1. Regain the natural beauty of your stream, enhancing your enjoyment of your property.
2. Participate in helping the environment, by
     a. Improving water quality
     b. Creating better habitat for fish and other aquatic creatures
     c. Attracting and sustaining local wildlife
3. Protect your property from damages caused by streams that erode your land and threaten to damage your home.
4. Assure that your stream will provide improved functionality for the years to come.

The word “Bank” is used because our restoration projects generate a credit that is put on a project’s accounting ledger. The credit is then “banked” for later use, or saved until required by an upcoming project. When used, the credit is debited out of the Bank account and never available again. If the project requires more credits, they must be purchased directly from the bank, or new credits must be generated to satisfy the needs of the project.