Ecological Restoration Case Studies

Hidden Lake Wetland Mitigation Bank

The Hidden Lake Wetland Mitigation Bank (HLWMB) was established in 1996 for offsetting unavoidable wet flat (WF), Atlantic white cedar (AWC), and non-riverine swamp (NRS) wetland losses associated with projects requiring Clean Water Act, Section 404 dredge and fill permits within the Albemarle Sound hydrologic unit (03010205).

The mitigation plan outlined steps for the restoration and monitoring of approximately 48 acres of WF, AWC, and NRS wetlands on prior converted agricultural fields, preservation of approximately 770 acres of existing WF, AWC, NRS, and small depression pond wetlands. Hidden Lake LLC, working collaboratively with Federal and State regulators initiated activities to restore prior converted (PC) wetlands on this property and provide mitigation credits to eligible purchasers. This project was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Management (NCDEM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. The North Carolina Council of State and the National Heritage Program have certified this project as a "Statewide Ecological Significant" project.

A monitoring plan was developed to evaluate the success of the mitigation activities. Yearly monitoring of soil hydrology and vegetation has been accomplished for 5 years, with reports submitted to the US Army Corps of Engineers and other designated agencies. All monitoring has been completed and Phase I of theHLWMB has received final sign-off and considered successful. Phase II involving another 117 acres is being implemented.

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