Co-author: Jennifer Gibson, WisDOT
Title: 34 Years of WisDOT wetland mitigation: Past, present, future, and did you know?
Abstract: Why does the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) do wetland mitigation? What have we learned to prepare for the future as we formed new partnerships and collaborations? Did you know that WisDOT performs and supports research to advance the science of wetland restoration and other ecologies? WisDOT's 34-year program compensates for unavoidable loss of wetlands resulting from the department's construction work. Wetland compensation is usually accomplished by restoring former wetlands (preferred) or creating new wetlands (not preferred) in suitable areas. Other forms of mitigation include complete avoidance or minimization of impacts and may involve wetland enhancement, preservation, and protection. Nationally and locally, WisDOT was an early adopter and innovator in developing a single-client, statewide umbrella wetland mitigation bank system and agreement established in 1993. Since 2012, WisDOT has implemented individual Mitigation Bank Instruments (MBIs) for new sites. Presently the bank system comprises approximately 87 bank sites (5 MBI sites) and 178 project-specific mitigation sites. The WisDOT Wetland Program strives for holistic habitat connectivity and combined hydrologic and ecologic restoration for stream, floodplain, wetland, and other aquatic resources. Stop by our poster session to learn about the challenges, foibles, and success of the wetland mitigation program. And learn about numerous professional wetland ecologists who started with us as interns and went on to successful careers in public and private sectors. We look forward to learning from you and your ideas!
View Poster:
https://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Poster.Pearson.Robert.pdf
Bio: Robert Pearson is a hydrogeologist managing the Wetland Mitigation Bank Program for the Department of Transportation. He is a Wisconsin registered professional geologist and holds a bachelor's degree in geology from Monmouth College, Monmouth IL, and a master's degree in geosciences from UW-Milwaukee.