Connecticut Projects

Wetland Mitigation and Connecticut鈥檚 In Lieu Fee Program

Our Goals
Protect and enhance wetlands and uphold the Clean Water Act.
What We鈥檙e Doing
Awarding grant funding for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetlands in Connecticut.

Connecticut鈥檚 wetlands are of tremendous value to birds and humans alike for wildlife habitat, water quality improvements, and flood storage. 

Per the Clean Water Act (CWA)鈥攍andmark environmental protection legislation passed in 1972 that applies to all waters of the United States鈥攑arties seeking to construct projects (鈥減ermittees鈥) that will have an impact on wetlands must take all reasonable measures to avoid such impacts, to minimize unavoidable impacts, and to provide mitigation for the remaining unavoidable impacts.

On the one hand, permittees could themselves be held responsible for taking on wetland and/or stream mitigation projects, but studies have shown that many mitigation sites in southern New England have a high failure rate because they fail to meet performance standards (Minkin and Ladd, 2003).

For this reason, the 约炮视频, Inc., through its state office, 约炮视频 Connecticut, became the 鈥渟ponsor鈥 of a Connecticut 鈥淚n Lieu Fee鈥 (ILF) program as of 2013. The program allows permittees to pay a fee in lieu of taking on mitigation themselves. Instead, local groups like land trusts, universities, environmental nonprofits, and even state agencies are given the opportunity to apply for and receive grant funding to protect and enhance wetlands.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Any and all projects that may have an impact on wetlands require a permit or permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps determines whether payment of an ILF is appropriate, the amount of fee to be paid, and requires that the fee be paid into the program prior to the start of construction of the project.

Payment into the ILF Program does not equate to an 约炮视频 endorsement of the proponent鈥檚 project. 约炮视频 plays no role in the Corps鈥 regulatory decision determining the nature and extent of required mitigation, or the appropriateness of any ILF payment.

For more on the protocols and procedures involved, You can find additional information on the .

The Connecticut Wetland In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Program has accrued sufficient funds that are now available for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut. 

To be eligible to receive funding, your first step is to submit a Letter of Intent. First, . After reading the instructions, read , fill out the form at the bottom, and submit to AZemba@landtechconsult.com.

If your Letter of Intent is approved, you will need to fill out the full application.  The application form can be previewed .

Once projects are chosen, 约炮视频 Connecticut is responsible for funding the project via the grant, ensuring conservation projects are implemented, and that they provide for long-term stewardship.

Application Materials: Download Per Our Step-by-Step Instructions
Full Program Instrument
Protocols and procedures involved.
Fact Sheet
Read along with Full Program Instrument.
Instructions: Letter of Intent
Read this before submitting your Letter of Intent.
Request for Letters of Intent
To be eligible to receive funding, submit this form to 约炮视频 Connecticut鈥檚 agent at AZemba@landtechconsult.com.
Full Application Instructions
If your letter of intent is approved, you will need to read this before applying.
Full Application Form
Use this form to apply.

ILF PROJECT MAP

Click on each color to see the service area. Zoom in for municipal town boundaries.

SUCCESS STORIES

Wimisink Marsh Important Bird Area Expansion
Wimisink Marsh Important Bird Area Expansion

Through the In Lieu Fee (ILF) Program, Naromi Land Trust expanded protection of a freshwater wetland preserve and essential home for birds.

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