Crystal River Mitigation Bank
Location
Citrus County, FL
Resource
Wetland
Solution
Mitigation Bank
Status
Pending
Joe Williams
Director of Credit Sales
The CRYSTAL RIVER MITIGATION BANK (CRYRMB) spans more than 320 acres of degraded forested wetland and upland habitats that have been logged for cypress, red cedar, and long leaf pine trees. Prior to construction, the site was overgrown with oaks and was impacted by unauthorized vehicle usage and illegal dumping. It consists of cypress swamps, depressional marshes, and upland sandhill habitat, with most areas logged and overgrown due to the lack of fire. The establishment of CRYRMB will save the site from continued logging and irreversible loss of aquatic function while benefiting downstream aquatic resources.
CRYRMB is important as it integrates both coastal wetland and upland sandhill habitats, complementing the Springs Coast and Brooksville Ridge conservation land networks. The site is a critical addition to the regional conservation lands network and provides habitat for wetland-dependent and terrestrial wildlife. It also contains priority ecological greenways, natural floodplains, functional wetlands, surface water protection areas, aquifer recharge areas, strategic habitat conservation areas, and under-represented natural communities. Additionally, it offers potential habitat for 22 threatened and endangered species. The landscape position of CRYRMB provides valuable breeding, refuge, nesting, and foraging areas, as well as wildlife corridors.
Nationally, the Crystal River Mitigation Bank is situated near the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, which protects the threatened Florida Manatee and important aquifer-fed spring havens. The mitigation work plan aims to restore ecological function through measures such as ceasing logging, restoring altered hydrology, removing trash and debris, eradicating nuisance and exotic species, enhancing vegetation, and reintroducing prescribed fire.
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CREDITS
Wetland
– Palustrine Emergent (Corps)
– Palustrine Forested (Corps)
– Freshwater Forested (SWFWMD)
– Freshwater Herbaceous (SWFWMD)
EXPECTED SERVICE AREA
Crystal-Pithlachascotee (03100207) subbasin
aka Upper Coastal watershed
Our Partners
Greensource Environmental has collaborated with EIP since the beginning of our work in Florida. At Horse Creek, Old Florida, and Upper Coastal Mitigation Banks, Greensource conducted a thorough evaluation of historical land use, and pre-restoration conditions. The team delivered insights that translated into an effective restoration plan — one that only comes with a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of ecological and hydrologic function. As our “Ecological Sherlock Holmes,” the firm helps us find clues on the ground that let us maximize ecological uplift in our restoration designs.