The Presidential Memorandum issued today mandates “Federal agencies to give preference to advance environmental compensation mechanisms” will radically change the way environmental impact offset projects are approved. Stricter guidelines will now make mitigation and conservation banks the first stop for offsetting damaging environmental impacts.
With federal agencies being directed to apply the same “No net loss” goal of the Clean Water Act‘s 404 program to all natural resources rather than only to streams and wetlands, resources that are “important, scarce or sensitive”, including species habitats, water quality not covered in section 404, and other impacts to environmental resources will now require mitigation.
This directive will not only ensure high standards and best practices across all federal agencies and departments entrusted with environmental regulatory authority, but will also enable increased private investment in restoration and conservation, providing a powerful tool to meet today’s growing environmental challenges. Fortunately, the EcoBlu Analyst big data tool was built to help subscribers not only navigate this exact scenario: but capitalize on it.
The wealth of environmental data in the EcoBlu Analyst user-friendly interface provides those in need of mitigation credits as well as those interested in creating offset projects with the most recent ecosystem services data available anywhere.
Make sure your project is properly positioned in this new regulatory environment. Subscribe to EcoBlu Analyst online here today or call the EcoBlu Analyst team at 888-218-8507 to discuss your organization’s environmental data needs.