NC H638

Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall seek increased net gains of aquatic resources through compensatory mitigation by establishing diverse wetland habitats including emergent marsh, shallow open water, and forested wetlands.

Department shall work with the Wilmington District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to establish compensatory mitigation credit ratios that incentivize creation of diverse wetland habitats supporting waterfowl and wildlife.

Department shall cooperate with Wildlife Resources Commission to ensure purchased mitigation lands and conservation easements maximize public recreation opportunities including hunting, with voluntary involvement of third-party groups at no additional cost to private mitigation bankers or taxpayers.

Office of Land and Water Stewardship shall inventory all department land holdings to identify potential wildlife habitats, with Wildlife Resources Commission conducting a third-party review and both agencies reporting findings to the Environmental Review Commission.

Department shall issue requests for proposals if private entities wish to purchase suitable land, with approval only if proposals maintain perpetual management of mitigation site functions and continue public recreation and hunting access where applicable.