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This dataset contains mitigation bank and in-lieu fee program sites in Florida from the US Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory In-lieu Fee and Bank Information Tracking System (RIBITS). A mitigation bank is a site where resources (e.g., wetlands, streams, riparian areas) are restored, established, enhanced, and/or preserved for the purpose of providing compensatory mitigation for impacts authorized by Department of the Army permits. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulates resources like wetlands and streams under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and in some cases Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. The measure of aquatic functions is based on the resources restored, established, enhanced, or preserved. An In-lieu fee program involves the restoration, establishment, enhancement, and/or preservation through funds paid to a governmental or non-profit natural resources management program sponsor to satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements under Department of the Army permits. Funds are often received by the in-lieu fee program sponsor prior to undertaking compensatory mitigation projects. In lieu fee programs can involve multiple mitigation project sites. |