Possible Crediting Strategies for Dynamic Alluvial Valleys
Samuel Leberg
EPA (ORISE)
Washington, DC
Brian Topping
EPA
Washington, DC
The restoration of dynamic alluvial valleys (DAVs, including stream wetland complexes, Stage 0, and beaver-related restoration) is increasing in frequency and presents opportunities to achieve greater ecological lift in some situations and landscape settings. However, the restoration of DAVs presents several challenges to existing compensatory mitigation crediting protocols. For example, DAVs encompass (on average) a larger scale of habitat and increased number of channels and thus may or may not be effectively assessed using measures of channel linear feet. Additionally, these systems provide different functions compared to perennial single-thread channels, and can resemble wetlands in character, which may influence credit classifications.
In this session, we will discuss how these challenges are being addressed by existing methods, and present other potential valuation methodologies for DAVs. These include applying adjustment values to multi-thread channels and off-channel wetlands, using a “flex credit” to allow DAV credits to be sold as either stream or wetland credits, and valuing DAV streams using an acreage or other areal credit. We will also discuss the potential unintended incentives that would be created by adopting various valuation methods.
About Samuel Leberg
Sam Leberg is an ORISE participant with the EPA, in the Freshwater and Marine Regulatory Branch. His Master’s research focused on the community response to tile drainage in restored oxbow wetlands and his prior research includes studying the impacts of deforestation on fish communities in Ecuador. Currently, his research is focused on performance, monitoring, management, and crediting of dynamic stream restorations as compensatory mitigation.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-leberg-67bb5514b/
About Brian Topping
Coming Soon