Westervelt Ecological Services Secures Federal Approval for Zacharias Ranch Mitigation Bank
Sacramento County, California – October 23, 2024 – Westervelt Ecological Services (WES) has achieved a significant milestone in its commitment to ecological restoration with the federal approval of the Zacharias Ranch Mitigation Bank in southern Sacramento County. This 580-acre project will transform a degraded landscape into a thriving ecosystem, restoring vital riparian and freshwater tidal marsh habitat along Snodgrass Slough in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
The Zacharias Ranch Mitigation Bank has received essential approvals from key federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Services. This comprehensive approval process ensures the project aligns with stringent environmental standards and will effectively contribute to the restoration of this critical ecosystem.
The project’s impact extends beyond the immediate restoration site. Compensatory mitigation credits generated by the bank will be available to developers and businesses seeking to offset impacts to aquatic resources and dependent species, such as Chinook salmon, that result from their projects. This will help facilitate development while ensuring the preservation of valuable ecological resources.
The restoration efforts at Zacharias Ranch are focused on re-establishing connectivity between Snodgrass Slough and the surrounding wetlands. This will not only enhance the habitat for a diverse array of species but also contribute to the overall restoration of the tidal marsh ecosystem in the greater Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Region.
The project is designed for long-term sustainability. Zacharias Ranch will be permanently protected through a conservation easement, ensuring its continued ecological integrity for generations to come. An endowment fund will provide ongoing financial support for the management and maintenance of the restored habitats.
Westervelt Ecological Services has partnered with the Sacramento Valley Conservancy to hold the conservation easement, underscoring the collaborative nature of this important project. Credits for the Zacharias Ranch Mitigation Bank are expected to be released in winter 2024, once the conservation easement is fully implemented.
About Westervelt Ecological Services
Westervelt Ecological Services is dedicated to delivering conservation solutions on a landscape scale. As a division of The Westervelt Company, a leading land stewardship organization with almost 140 years of experience, WES provides comprehensive mitigation banking solutions for developers and businesses nationwide. Their expertise encompasses a wide range of environmental services, including wetland mitigation, habitat restoration, and species conservation.
Contact Information:
For further information about the Zacharias Ranch Mitigation Bank and the available credits, please contact:
*
Amanda Dwyer:
(925) 783-9924, adwyer@westervelt.com (Credit Sales)*
Brighton Heard:
(916) 646-3644, bheard@westervelt.com (Bank Manager)Visit www.wesmitigation.com to learn more about Westervelt Ecological Services and their commitment to sustainable land management.
