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Wetland mitigation credits to be used for Soda Creek restoration
Release Date:
SILVERTHORNE, Colo. (Aug. 6, 2024) – Beginning this month, the National Forest Foundation and the White River National Forest are partnering on a first-of-its-kind wetland restoration project in Summit County being funded through wetland mitigation credits.
The Soda Creek Restoration Project will rehabilitate approximately 12.5 acres of existing wetlands and reestablish 30 acres of historic wetlands as part of the recently approved Swan Mountain Project southeast of Dillon Reservoir.
The National Forest Foundation’s Colorado Western Slope In-Lieu Fee Program was established to fund wetland and stream restoration work on Colorado’s national forests through the development and sale of wetland mitigation credits. Entities causing impacts to wetlands can purchase mitigation credits to be used on projects that offset those impacts.
“The In-Lieu Fee Program will be used to improve the health of critical streams and riparian areas on National Forest System lands in Colorado,” said Marcus Selig, NFF Chief Conservation Officer. “The Soda Creek Project is an exciting first opportunity for the program.”
The program is a result of federal efforts to achieve no net loss of wetlands through the Clean Water Act, which allows nonprofit organizations like the National Forest Foundation to conduct mitigation projects that meet regulatory standards established by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“Soda Creek has seen severe degradation of its riparian habitat,” said Acting Dillon District Ranger Sam Massman. “This project will help restore the ecological function of Soda Creek, which will improve conditions across the entire area.”
Improvements to Soda Creek include replacing a road culvert with a wider structure that allows better passage for fish and unimpeded flow of water and sediment. Downstream of the culvert, modifications to the stream bed and banks will address stream downcutting and restore wetland and riparian habitat.
No road or trail closures are anticipated during this work, which is expected to be completed this fall.
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