Horse Creek Mitigation Bank
Location
DeSoto County, FL
Resource
Wetland
Solution
Mitigation Bank
Status
Approved
HORSE CREEK MITIGATION BANK in Central Florida is newly completed as of 2020. The site is designed to enhance and protect important habitats within the 115,000-acre Peace-Myakka Wildlife Corridor. A prescribed fire regime and other restoration efforts have enriched this “biodiversity hotspot” and prompted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to designate the site an important preservation area. The adjacent Babcock Ranch Preserve, with connections to Lake Okeechobee, the Myakka River State Park, and Boran Ranch Mitigation Bank all work together with the Horse Creek Mitigation Bank to provide a larger habitat capable of hosting a diverse ecosystem.
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Credits from Horse Creek Mitigation Bank are approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fulfill mitigation requirements of Section 404 Clean Water Act permits — and are also approved by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to satisfy compliance under the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) Program.
CREDITS
Wetland
– Palustrine Emergent (Corps)
– Palustrine Forested (Corps)
– Freshwater Forested (SWFWMD)
– Freshwater Herbaceous (SWFWMD)
Habitat
– Wood Stork
SERVICE AREA
Peace River (03100101) subbasin
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.
EarthBalance has been an important contributor to project success because they understand and effectively support implementation at the scale at which EIP works. The company has deep experience with Florida mitigation and restoration, knowledge of local ecology, trusted relationships with regional regulators, and an extensive team accustomed to delivering high quality restoration and partnering with permittees to find cost-effective mitigation solutions. EarthBalance assists permittees and consultants obtain credits from the Horse Creek, Boran Ranch, and Peace River Mitigation Banks.