BANKS

The Peace River Mitigation Bank is a 487.3-acre conservation area established to provide compensatory mitigation for wetland impacts located in the Peace River basin. The Bank consists of mixed forested wetlands and hardwood-conifer mixed upland forests. The Bank was targeted for preservation as it is centrally located within the basin and located directly alongside the Peace River. The location on the river ensured that benefits are transferred directly to the river, which is the focal point of the watershed as well as existing and proposed watershed plans. The site had been exposed to exotic species invasion and unchecked growth of the understory exacerbated by prolonged fire suppression, resulting in degraded wetland and upland habitats. The restoration of the Bank consisted of exotic species eradication, shrub reduction, and reintroduction of prescribed fire to restore all of the wetland and upland buffer habitats to their optimal condition.

The Peace River Mitigation Bank has palustrine forested credits available approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The Horse Creek Mitigation Bank also has freshwater forested credits available approved by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).