An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Mitigation Banking in Florida: Ecological Success and Compliance with Permit Criteria

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mitigation banking in Florida by determining compliance with permit success criteria, evaluating the ecological integrity of wetlands within wetland mitigation banks, and evaluating whether permit compliance reflects ecological integrity. Increasing the effectiveness of mitigation banking and improving wetland assessment methodologies should increase the capacity for long term protection and restoration of wetlands. The long term effects of this project will be to improve the ecological performance of mitigation banks, management of mitigation banks, and stewardship of wetland resources to better meet the goals of the Clean Water Act.