Newsroom
ARTICLES ON MITIGATION BANKING
Tax Legislation Introduced
Legislation to clarify that sale of wetland credits is treated as capital gains, rather than ordinary income, has been introduced in the House and the Senate. NMBA supports this legislation and urges its members and supporters to write to their Members of Congress and Senators to seek their support.
• Click here to read a copy of S. 664.
• Click here to read a copy of H.R. 2058.
• For Members only, click here for more information on supporting the legislation.Regulatory Reform and Streamlining. The Association filed comments to the Department of the Interior on how it can implement Executive Order 13563, "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review", emphasizing that wetland, stream and conservation banks support the environment and streamline regulatory programs. Click here for a copy of the Association's March 28, 2011 comments to the Department of the Interior. House Committee Listening Session. The Association participated in a February 22, 2011 "Listening Session" organized by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair John Mica, to address improvements needed to delivery of infrastructure projects. The Fresno, California session was also co-chaired by Rep. Jeff Denham, and attended by a small group of various industry leaders. Former Association President Craig Denisoff emphasized the important role of wetland, stream and conservation banks in providing offsets to needed to advance road, rail, and other infrastructure projects. Click here to read the Remarks for Record from the Fresno, California Listening Session. Conservation Banking Principles Released. The Association has adopted principles to improve and enhance conservation banking, which have been discussed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Click here for a copy of the 2011 document, "Conservation Banking: Principles for Fostering Implementation." A Message from David Urban, NMBA President
The Association has worked hard to assure that selection of mitigation respects the preference for mitigation banks, and that permit decisions clearly document review of mitigation choices. As of late October, 2010, the Corps has instructed its Districts to carefully document selection of mitigation, including an explanation of how the decision is in compliance with the preference for mitigation banks in the 2008 Mitigation Regulations.
Click here to read:The memo
The template for IPs
The template for GPs The Association supports clarification of Clean Water Act jurisdiction. Click here to read a copy of the August 30, 2010 letter supporting H.R. 5088 which would amend the Clean Water Act. Members who you are interested in providing a letter of support will find a sample template in the Members Only section of the website.
While the EPA Guidance will be open for comment until December 2010, the agency is seeking comments on its studies, including the Conductivity Study, within 60 days (likely June 14, 2010.) Members interested in these issues should contact the Board.
To view the EPA Guidance, click here. To view the Conductivity Study, click here. Click here to read the Association response to General Walsh's March 3, 2010 letter.
The Association has long encouraged the Corps of Engineers to provide access to data and information on wetland permitting and mitigation. While the agencies have been working on data management systems, NMBA remains concerned about the adequacy of the data that is available. The Association joined with 20 other groups on a letter to the Assistant Secretary of the Army urging that data management be improved as soon as possible. Click here for a copy of the March 31, 2010 letter.
