MADISON — The state
Assembly has sent to Gov. Tony Evers a bill that would
require developers to purchase wetland mitigation
credits within the watershed they're changing.
The Department of Natural
Resources requires creation or preservation of other
wetlands as a condition of an individual permit allowing
dredging or filling wetlands. Builders can satisfy those
conditions by purchasing credits from a mitigation bank
located anywhere in Wisconsin. Banks are a stash of
credits generated by other developers who created or
preserved wetlands.
The bill passed Thursday
would require builders buy credits from banks in
impacted watersheds. The DNR could allow purchases from
other watersheds to better serve conservation goals,
however.
Evers would have to sign
the bill for it to become law.
