Paine Field Wetland Bank Earns First Washington Accreditation

State and federal laws prohibit the loss of most wetlands due to development. A wetland bank is a pre-existing wetland restoration project. Projects that must offset wetland losses may purchase credits at a wetland bank in the same watershed - subject to regulatory approval. Wetland bank credits represent portions of completed restoration projects.

"Paine Field's wetland mitigation bank is a monumental achievement," said Ecology Northwest Regional Office Director Jeannie Summerhays. "This is the first wetland bank in Washington to be accredited at all levels - local, state and federal."

Summerhays praised Lewallen for his innovative work and leadership to bring the project to fruition.

"Bill's foresight and stewardship was instrumental to the success of the project," she said. "He knew that wetland mitigation projects only work about half the time. The Paine Field wetland bank works so well because it puts successful solutions in place before any mitigation is needed."

The Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary has an open water habitat which attracts waterfowl and is now part of the wetland mitigation bank. (Photo courtesy Paine Field)

"This wetland bank is an environmental and economic achievement," Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon said Wednesday. "It speaks to the effort Snohomish County is making toward balancing growth with environmental protection, and it shows that our county staff is among the best in the state."

Located about 30 miles north of downtown Seattle, the Snohomish County-Paine Field Airport bank received its credits from the county, the state Department of Ecology and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The project is made up of 60 acres of restored wetland. Future county airport projects can tap into the bank's credits to offset wetland losses that cannot be avoided.

Ten years ago, Snohomish County began developing a wetland mitigation bank with the help of the Department of Ecology, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Aviation Administration.

In April, regulatory agencies determined two wetland properties had matured enough to be made available for mitigation. Officials from each agency gathered Wednesday to celebrate the final approval.

"These banks were only possible through the collaborative efforts of the federal and state agencies, Snohomish County and the airport nearly a decade ago," said Col. Anthony Wright, commander of the Corps' Seattle District.

"The future of wetland mitigation will look like the Paine Field bank," said Jay Manning, director of the Department of Ecology. "We can use this project as a model, applying the lessons learned from this banking approach to future projects throughout the state."

EPA approval is a must for any wetland mitigation bank, and Washington state's program is based on federal standards.

"Our region's wetlands and small streams are not only home to salmon and other threatened and endangered wildlife, but they also prevent flooding and protect us from storm damage" said Elin Miller, EPA's regional administrator in Seattle. "Our new wetland mitigation rule will help ensure ecological success, while providing greater consistency and predictability for property owners and developers."

"It shows that innovative environmental solutions can go hand-in-hand with economic prosperity and faster project delivery," said Summerhays.

The mitigation bank will be needed as development comes to Paine Field. Castle & Cooke Aviation Inc. is developing the first base for corporate jets at Paine Field, with plans to open the facility in 2009 in an attempt to attract the lucrative corporate jet market.

The first phase of the project will be built on 24 acres Castle & Cooke Aviation has leased on the west edge of Paine Field. Plans include a 40,000 square-foot hangar, and another 16,000 square feet of offices and amenities for corporate jet travelers.

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