Natural Resources

Mitigation Wetlands

The Port of Vancouver maintains two wetland mitigation sites. One of these sites is located adjacent to Parcel 1A within the developed port area. The second, at Parcel 2, adjoins the port's undeveloped agricultural lands. Both mitigation sites have met all federal, state and local regulatory requirements, however, the port will continue to manage both sites.

Wetland Mitigation Bank

The Port of Vancouver is in the process of establishing a wetland mitigation bank at Parcel 6, a 165-acre parcel located north of Lower River Road. The proposed mitigation bank site plan includes enhancement of approximately 82 acres of wetlands, creation of an additional 27 acres of wetlands, and improvement of other natural areas, including songbird habitat.

Partnering with a mitigation bank manager to establish this wetland mitigation bank provides higher functioning wetland areas and allows the port to more efficiently meet its requirements for mitigation. Federal, state and local agencies recognize and support the establishment of wetland mitigation banks. In Washington State, the Mitigation Bank Review Team (MBRT) reviews all applications to establish such banks. The MBRT is co-chaired by the Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Wetland credits will be available to the port for mitigation needs and the remainder of the credits will be offered for sale to the public. Early release credits are anticipated to be available in early 2010.  Bank construction is expected to begin by spring 2010.

Natural Resource Inventory

The port's natural resources, in particular the shoreline adjacent to the developed facilities, are an important asset. The NRI management plan provides a planning tool that allows the port to make ecologically sound decisions without compromising daily operations.

Port operations and maintenance activities require permit approvals from local, state and federal agencies. The NRI provides information on the habitat features along the port's shoreline. Identifying these features ahead of time allows the port to minimize impacts from development and plan cost effective mitigation projects which complement port operations.