GLT Wetland Mitigation Services - Trifold Brochure

BACKGROUND We believe Southcentral Alaska is one of the best places to live, work, and play. No wonder it is one of the fastest growing regions in the country. As our population and demand on our natural resources grow, it is now more critical than ever that we retain our diverse habitat, world class outdoor recreation opportunities, and the character and qualities of Alaska that define our way of life. Balancing these community assets for current and future generations is where Great Land Trust (GLT) comes in.

Our local wetlands play a critical role in the economic health of our communities. Unfortunately, their steady decline impacts our quality of life, although we may not realize it.

Estimates show that 64% of the world's wetlands have disappeared since 1990.

Without local wetlands, governments and communities would have to invest substantial public resources on infrastructure to replace the functions that wetlands offer free of charge.

Wetland conservation is a key part of GLT's work. Through our wetland mitigation program and services, we are ensuring important habitat for fish and wildlife, clean water, flood control, and coastline storm buffers.

ABOUT GREAT LAND TRUST OUR MISSION Conserving and stewarding Southcentral Alaska's lands and waters essential to the quality of life and economic health of our communities.

OUR WETLAND MITIGATION PROGRAM

GLT is a private non-profit established in 1995.

GLT began providing wetland mitigation services in 1998.

GLT has successfully worked with hundreds of project developers, regulatory agencies, and subject matter experts to provide science-based, high quality, and cost-effective mitigation solutions.

GLT has managed the investment proceeds for numerous wetland mitigation projects throughout Southcentral which has led to the protection of thousands of acres of highvalue wetlands.

GLT staff provide expert advice on complex topics such as conservation easements, mitigation banking, compensatory mitigation, and establishing appropriate funds critical to wetland protection.

WETLAND MITIGATION CREDITS FOR SALE GLT currently has wetland mitigation credits available for sale in the Municipality of Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. With these credits, GLT can fulfill mitigation obligations on an applicant's behalf.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES

To learn more about GLT's wetland mitigation program or to get a quote, email us at info@greatlandtrust.org, or call (907) 278-4998.

www.greatlandtrust.org

Cover photos courtesy of Carl Johnson and Stephanie Quinn-Davidson

GREAT LAND TRUST

Wetland Mitigation Services

WETLAND CONSERVATION After witnessing the global loss of wetlands, Congress enacted the national Clean Water Act in 1972. The Act legally prohibits loss of wetlands unless specifically authorized by the Army Corps of Engineers. Typically, whether building a cabin or developing a strip mall, projects that result in unavoidable impacts to wetlands may be offset somewhere nearby through a mitigation program, like GLT's, in order to successfully receive approval for the project construction.

Developers who are seeking permits to complete these projects can choose to partner with GLT to maximize wetland protection.

The flow chart below shows wetland mitigation options for developers.

Minimize

GLT plays a critical role in wetland conservation in Alaska.

Through collaborating with private and public partners, scientists, and volunteers, we identify, prioritize, and conserve the most important wetlands in Southcentral Alaska - wetlands that will have lasting impacts on our local communities because they support healthy salmon habitat, clean water, flood control, and storm water retention.

Through our wetland mitigation program, we gather the best available data including wetland type and function, fish and wildlife habitat, land ownership, and threat. We then map priority areas to conserve using our wetland mitigation program funds.

HOW IT WORKS 1. The developer submits a permit application to the regulatory agency.

2. The regulatory agency determines the mitigation requirement.

3. The developer verifies with the regulatory agency the use of GLT's program.

4. The developer sends project information to GLT. 5. GLT determines the cost of credits necessary to fulfill the developer's mitigation requirement and sends a cost quote.

6. After the purchase of credits from GLT, GLT informs the regulatory agency that GLT will assume the developer’s mitigation responsibilities.

7. GLT uses the funds from the credit sale to complete wetland conservation projects.

Once GLT has identified a priority area, we work with the Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate whether it is the right fit for our wetland mitigation program.

Wetlands Permit Application

Avoid

OUR STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE

Compensate

GLT Wetland Mitigation Program

GLT consolidates the fees we collect from developers for wetland mitigation with other conservation dollars to conserve the most high-quality wetlands possible.

Using this strategy, GLT has successfully completed landscape-scale conservation projects that benefit our local communities forever.

GLT'S SERVICE AREA

Over 20 years, GLT has conserved over 18,000 acres of high-value wetlands.

FISH CREEK ESTUARY 30 acres along the Coastal Trail

KNIK RIVER ISLANDS 5,000 acres in the Mat-Su

TANGLEWOOD WETLANDS 40 acres by Bowman Elementary

EKLUTNA RIVER ESTUARY 6 miles of coastline

CAMPBELL CREEK ESTUARY 60 acres in South Anchorage