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An integral part of the Plan is the establishment of a comprehensive Mitigation Banking <br /> Program for the creation of a number of sepazate wetlands mitigation .bank sites, and the <br /> certification and sale of mitigation credits from those wetlands mitigation bank sites.Z The <br /> Mitigation Banking Program includes (1) restoring, creating and enhancing wetland mitigation <br /> sites, (2) monitoring and maintenance services for those sites, (3) obtaining, selling and <br /> accounting for mitigation credits, and (4) performing other ancillary functions. The purpose <br /> of this Agreement is to establish the comprehensive mitigation banking piogram contemplated <br /> by the Plan. <br /> GOALS <br /> The primary goals of the Mitigation Banking Program (and of the individual mitigation <br /> bank sites to be created through the Program) aze described in detail. in Appendix B. These <br /> goals aze summarized as follows: <br /> "Mitigation' is the process used by federal and state. agencies for determining <br /> whether wetlands may be developed (impacted) and, if so, under what <br /> conditions. The decision-making process is hierazchial where each level of <br /> criteria must be satisfied prior to proceeding to the next. The process is <br /> structured so that priority consideration is given to avoiding wetland impact. If <br /> it can be shown there is an unavoidable need to. ;impact wetlands, the process <br /> then attempts to minimize the extent of the impact and sets out requirements to <br /> compensate for wetland losses. in the form of enhancement, .restoration or <br /> creation of wetland resources. * * * <br /> "Compensation is tazgeted .for azeas where the prospects for success are the <br /> highest, most beneficial to the ecological landscape and require little, if any, on- <br /> going maintenance. These azeas are located on historic wetlands, disturbed <br /> agricultural wetlands and in areas adjacent to existing waterways. Enhancement <br /> and restoration, therefore, will be the primary methods for compensating for <br /> wetland losses. Mitigation efforts will concentrate on reestablishing historic <br /> wetland types and habitats that naturally occur. in the azea, while also creating <br /> opportunities for other wetland types such as marshes and ponds. <br /> "The Plan approaches mitigation in a ~ comprehensive _ manner where resulting <br /> efforts not only satisfy federal and state wetland law but achieve other <br /> The Mitigation Banking Program is a crucial part of the scheme to.provide mitigation for development impacts <br /> contemplated in the Plan. 'ibis Program, however, is not the only means by which mitigation will occur in the <br /> West Eugene area. Mitigation for some impacted sites may be performed by the developers of those sites as <br /> concurrent or advance mitigation within the context of the standazd permit process: Those efforts will not be.part <br /> of this Mitigation Banking program, nor governed by any of the provisions contained in this Agreement. The City <br /> of Eugene also may ,undertake. mitigation projects on behalf of (i.e:, as an agent for) developers, again as either <br /> concurrent or advance mitigation within the context of the standard permit process. Where the City undertakes <br /> such work, and to the extent that credits. are certified, for. that mitigation project ~ in excess of the number needed <br /> to compensate for the loss of wetlands caused by the developer's work, the credits may;,be added to Mitigation <br /> Banking Program's ledger after approval by the Corps and DSL. <br /> <br /> Page 2 - MOA For West Eugene Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program <br /> <br />