Mitigation

Mitigation in the context of the Regulatory program is the restoration, creation, enhancement, or preservation of aquatic resources for the purpose of off-setting unavoidable impacts to jurisdictional streams and/or wetlands that result from permit authorizations.  Part of the permit evaluation process requires that a given proposal has been designed to avoid or minimize impacts to aquatic resources while still being able to meet the purpose of the project.  However, when impacts to streams and wetlands cannot be avoided, mitigation is generally required.