Compensatory Mitigation

Securing streamlined and cost-effective compensatory mitigation that offset impacts to natural resources requires the specific expertise in ecological factors and regulatory processes, for which ESA is well-known. 

Projects can result in impacts to natural resources that require compensatory mitigation to meet regulatory and agency permitting requirements. Depending on the type of impacts, compensatory mitigation can be fulfilled through mitigation or conservation bank credits, In-Lieu Fee (ILF) programs, Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) fees, advanced Permittee-Responsible Mitigation (PRM) solutions, turnkey solutions, or Mitigation Credit Agreement (MCA) credits (in areas of California with an approved Regional Conservation Investment Strategy (RCIS)).

ESA has the project experience and technical expertise to not only gain approval for compensatory mitigation solutions on behalf of our clients, but also lead implementation of the mitigation solution. Our team has extensive knowledge of the current and upcoming availability of bank credits based on service areas and ILF, HCP, and RCIS options to guide our clients on the best option for them. ESA also has the in-house staff to evaluate the development, entitlement, and implementation of new PRM and turnkey solutions.

Assembling a solution tailored to a client or project requires knowledge of the mitigation market, ecological principles and habitat restoration, agency preferences and regulatory requirements, real estate opportunities and processes, financial planning and outcomes, implementation nuances, suitable conservation easement holders, and long-term management needs. ESA experts stand ready to assist our clients with developing cost-effective mitigation solutions that satisfy agency requirements.