Compensatory Wetlands Mitigation
CME Associates conducted a wetland mitigation evaluation in order to compensate for the taking of 2.86 acres of freshwater emergent and scrub/shrub wetlands and .11 acres of intertidal and subtidal wetlands under the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) Interchange 12 Final Improvement Program. Ten (10) potential mitigation alternatives were identified and investigated involving the analysis of seven (7) enhancement, two (2) creation sites, and one option to purchase federally and state approved wetlands credits. A mitigation proposal was submitted to and approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to comply with N.J.A.C. 7:7A-15 and Section 404 (b), respectively. Factors that were considered in selecting potential enhancement and creation areas within watershed management area 7 included the environmental conditions, hydrological contributions (water budget), habitat availability, historical usage, OPRA review, feasibility of land acquisition, connectivity to other wetlands, and avoidance of manufactured engineering controls. The goal of the proposal was to present and validate the most economically feasible and ecologically sound mitigative alternative.
The preferred Concept Mitigation Design – Areas 9 and 10 involved the approximate enhancement of 344,990 SF/ 7.91 AC and creation of 69,000 SF/ 1.605 AC of wetlands with educational elements and wildlife habitat measures.
The following services were provided under the mitigation evaluation, design, construction, and monitoring: