Nutrient Offset & Buffer Mitigation Program
To see a map of nutrient offset and buffer mitigation banks in NC, click here.
Nutrient Offset & Buffer Compensatory Mitigation
If a proposed development project has explored all practical alternatives for avoiding and minimizing impacts, and project impacts exceed applicable permit thresholds, then mitigation will be required. The mitigation plan must be implemented and/or constructed before any permanent building or structure on site is occupied. In the case of a public road project, the mitigation plan must be implemented before the road is opened to the public. Proof of payment into a mitigation bank or in-lieu fee program or completion of an approved permit-specific mitigation project must be provided to DWR to satisfy this requirement. Options for compensatory mitigation include:
- Mitigation banks: Applicant satisfies the mitigation requirement by purchasing mitigation credits from an approved mitigation bank.
- In-lieu fee mitigation: Applicant satisfies the mitigation requirement by purchasing mitigation credits through the N.C. Division of Mitigation Services.
- List of active DMS projects with DWR project numbers (for Mitigation Project Information Upload Form)
- Project-specific mitigation: Applicant satisfies the mitigation requirement themselves, either at the project site or at an off-site location.
Nutrient Offset Mitigation may be required for any new or existing development where nutrient reduction requirements exist as part of a nutrient management strategy. In North Carolina, there are four nutrient management strategies: Neuse River Basin, Tar-Pamlico River Basin, Falls Lake Watershed and Jordan Lake Watershed. Please visit the Division of Water Resource's Planning Section website for more information on Nutrient Practices and Crediting. This map is a very useful tool provided by DWR that provides site-specific details including the Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC), river basin, watershed, sub-watershed, and delivery factors where applicable.
Purchasing nutrient offset credits from a private mitigation bank or the NC Division of Mitigation Services (DMS) are options available to new or existing development where nutrient reduction requirements exist. All payments must be in compliance with 15A NCAC 02B .0703, the Nutrient Offset Credit Trading rule (*readopted effective 4/1/20, recodified from 15A NCAC 02B .0240, the former "Nutrient Offset Payments" rule) and G.S. 143-214.26.
Riparian Buffer Mitigation may be required for any project within an area covered by a Riparian Buffer Protection Rule for impacts to the protected riparian buffer listed as "(potentially) allowable with mitigation", " allowable with mitigation upon authorization", or "prohibited" in the Table of Uses. For more information about the Riparian Buffer Protection Rules, including the Table of Uses, click here.
Guidance Documents
- Flowchart - Steps to Establishing a Bank
- Map of DWR Approved Nutrient Offset & Buffer Mitigation Banks
- Presentation - What It Takes to Do Offset Banking in NC
- Standard Procedures for the Purchase & Sale of Nutrient Offset Credits
- Find Your HUC [Use this map to find the Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) assigned to a particular area. This map includes 8-digit (subbasins), 10-digit (watersheds), and 12-digit (subwatersheds) HUC levels.]
- Find a Surface Water Classification (Use this map to click on a streamline to find the surface water classification assigned to that stream segment.)
- Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule - 15A NCAC 02B .0295
- DWR Clarifications on Implementation of Buffer Mitigation Rule (March 2017)
- Clarified Procedures for Calculating Buffer Mitigation Credits & Nutrient Offset Credits (November 2019)
- Site Viability Assessment Policy Update (2021)
Templates
- Attachment A - Authority Document (required for all UMBIs)
- Attachment B - Jordan Credit Yields Table (required for UMBIs in the Jordan Watershed only)
- Conservation Easement Template for 404 and Buffer/ Nutrient Bank Sites
- Credit Release Request Form (for requesting a credit release)
- Banking Instrument Modification MEMO ( for requesting modifications to existing Banking instruments)
- Ledger Templates
- Mitigation Banking Conservation Easement Template for Buffer & Nutrient Offset Sites
- Mitigation Credit Transfer Certificate (for selling Buffer credits and non-permanent nutrient offsets)
- Mitigation Credit Transfer Certificate (for selling Permanent Nutrient Offsets in lbs/year)
- Mitigation Project Information Upload Form (click here for step-by-step instructions on how to use the form)
- Nutrient & Buffer Credit Release Tables
- Site Viability Assessment Request Form
- Statement of Availability Template Buffer (for providing proof that a Sponsor has credits available in a particular service area)
- Project Credit Table Template (November 2019- Excel workbook; updated July 2023)
Private Mitigation Banks
Neuse River Basin (excluding Falls Lake Watershed) Private Banks
For more information about the Neuse Nutrient Management Strategy, click here.
Service Area (where credits can be provided) |
Private Bank Sponsor/ Contact for Sales |
Mitigation Bank Site Name |
Buffer Credit/ Nutrient Credit |
Bank Documents1 |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Anderson Farm II | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Black Dirt | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Eco Terra, LLC Norton Webster 984-208-2266 |
Britt and Hales | Yes/Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings II, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Buck Swamp | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Buffalo Branch | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings II, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Caraway Creek | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Caraway Bluff Phase II | Yes/Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Cox Pond | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Falling Creek | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Grantham Branch | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Hannah Bridge | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Water & Land Solutions, LLC Riane Fisher 239-322-7276 |
Hollowell | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Little River Ford II | No / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Little River - Weaver | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Loop Road | Yes/Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Long Pond | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Meadow Spring | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Moccasin Creek | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
O'Berry Road | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings II, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Old Savannah | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Pickle Creek Phase II | No/Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Polecat | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Poplar Creek | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Rosewood | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Water & Land Solutions, LLC Riane Fisher 239-322-7276 |
Salem | No/Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Sassafras Phase II | No/Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Sassarixa Swamp Phase II | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Selma Mill | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Shady Grove | Yes/Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Stone Creek | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Wildlands Holdings III, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Thoroughfare Swamp | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Thunder Swamp Phase II | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Uzzle | Yes / No | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Weaver Farm | Yes / Yes | |
03020201 Neuse (excluding Falls) | Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Wolf King | Yes / Yes | |
03020202 Neuse | Greene Environmental Services, LLC Jeffrey Becker 919-215-3899 |
LaGrange Phase I | Yes / Yes | |
03020202 Neuse | Greene Environmental Services, LLC Jeffrey Becker 919-215-3899 |
LaGrange Phase II | Yes / Yes | |
03020202 Neuse | Water & Land Solutions, LLC Riane Fisher 239-322-7276 |
Scarborough | Yes / Yes | |
03020202 Neuse | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Tull Wooten III | Yes / Yes | |
03020203 Neuse | Greene Environmental Services, LLC Jeffrey Becker 919-215-3899 |
Contentnea / Little Contentnea Creek |
Yes / Yes | |
03020203 Neuse | Eco Terra LLC (ET) Norton Webster 984-208-2266 |
Kittrell Hill | Yes / Yes | |
03020203 Neuse | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Nahunta | No / Yes | |
03020204 Neuse | Eco Terra LLC (ET) Norton Webster 984-208-2266 |
Joshua Creek | Yes/Yes | |
03020204 Neuse | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Marston | No / Yes | |
03020204 Neuse | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Musselshell | No/Yes | |
03020204 Neuse | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Saints Delight | No/Yes | |
03020204 Neuse | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Upper Musselshell | No/Yes |
1 Credit ledgers are updated monthly when possible and are audited by DWR annually. Please contact the bank directly for current credit availability.
Falls Lake Watershed Private Banks
For more information about the Falls Lake Nutrient Management Strategy, click here.
Service Area (where credits can be provided) |
Private Bank Sponsor/ Contact for Sales |
Mitigation Bank Site Name |
Buffer Credit/ Nutrient Credit |
Bank Documents1 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Upper & Lower Falls Lake Watersheds2 | Watershed Investments NC, LLC Mike Hermann 919-559-6264 |
Banished Bull | Yes / Yes | |
Upper & Lower Falls Lake Watersheds2 | EBX Neuse 1, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Bucher | Yes / No | |
Upper & Lower Falls Lake Watersheds2 | Wildlands Holdings V, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Catfish Pond II | Yes / Yes | |
Upper & Lower Falls Lake Watersheds2 | Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Cedar Grove | Yes / Yes | |
Upper &Lower Falls Lake Watersheds2 | Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Hatley | Yes / Yes | |
Upper & Lower Falls Lake Watersheds2 | Wildlands Holdings V, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
North Fork Little River | Yes / Yes | |
Upper & Lower Falls Lake Watersheds2 | Wildlands Holdings V, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Perry Hill II | Yes / Yes | |
Upper & Lower Falls Lake Watersheds2 | Wildlands Holdings V, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Wolfe | Yes / Yes | |
Lower Falls Lake Watershed | Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Ezell | Yes / Yes |
1 Credit ledgers are updated monthly when possible and are audited by DWR annually. Please contact the bank directly for current credit availability.
2 Impacts in the Upper Falls Watershed must be offset by nutrient reductions (Bank or NCDMS) in the Upper Falls Watershed; impacts in the Lower Falls Watershed may be offset by nutrient reductions in either the Lower Falls or Upper Falls Watersheds.
Jordan Lake Watershed Private Banks
For more information about the Jordan Lake Nutrient Management Strategy, click here.
Service Area (where credits can be provided) |
Private Bank Sponsor/ Contact for Sales |
Mitigation Bank Site Name |
Buffer Credit/ Nutrient Credit |
Bank Documents1 |
Upper New Hope Arm | EBX-EM, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Ivey Ferguson | No / Yes | |
Upper New Hope Arm |
EBX-EM, LLC (RES)
Travis Cooke
336-255-8452 |
Maple View | No / Yes | |
Upper New Hope Arm | Watershed Investments NC, LLC Mike Hermann 919-559-6264 |
Neville Farms Phase I | Yes / Yes | |
Upper New Hope Arm | Watershed Investments NC, LLC Mike Hermann 919-559-6264 |
Neville Farms Phase II | Yes / Yes | |
Haw River Arm | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Bass Mountain | Yes / Yes | |
Haw River Arm | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Benton Branch | Yes / Yes | |
Haw River Arm | Wildlands Holdings IV, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Bethel Branch | Yes / No | |
Haw River Arm | KCI Technologies, Inc. Adam Spiller 919-278-2514 |
Black Bull | Yes / Yes | |
Haw River Arm | Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Cloud & Banner | Yes / Yes | |
Haw River Arm | Davey Resources Group, Inc Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Dutch Farms | Yes/Yes | |
Haw River Arm | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Motes Creek | Yes / Yes | |
Haw River Arm | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Orphan Creek | Yes / Yes | |
Haw River Arm | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Rocky Top | Yes / Yes | |
Haw River Arm | Wildlands Holdings IV, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
South Fork | Yes / Yes | |
Haw River Arm | Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Tobacco Road | Yes/Yes | |
Haw River Arm | Wildlands Holdings VI, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Twin Burros | Yes/Yes | |
Haw River Arm | Wildlands Holdings IV, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
UT to Pine Hill Branch | Yes / Yes |
1 Credit ledgers are updated monthly when possible and are audited by DWR annually. Please contact the bank directly for current credit availability.
Randleman Lake Watershed Private Banks
For more information about the Randleman Lake Water Supply Nutrient Management Strategy, click here.
Service Area (where credits can be provided) |
Private Bank Sponsor/ Contact for Sales |
Mitigation Bank Site Name |
Buffer Credit/ Nutrient Credit |
Bank Documents1 |
---|---|---|---|---|
03030003 Randleman Lake Watershed | Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Bobs Branch | Yes/No | |
03030003 Randleman Lake Watershed | Clearwater Mitigation Solutions, LLC Kevin Yates 919-624-6901 |
EMH Farm | Yes/ No | |
03030003 Randleman Lake Watershed | Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Feed & Seed | Yes / No | |
03030003 Randleman Lake Watershed | Wildlands Holdings V, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Loflin Dairy Phase II | Yes / No | |
03030003 Randleman Lake Watershed | EcoMAA Holdings I, LLC Travis Hamrick 919-819-0014 |
Wall II | Yes/ No |
1 Credit ledgers are updated monthly when possible and are audited by DWR annually. Please contact the bank directly for current credit availability.
Tar-Pamlico River Basin Private Banks
For more information about the Tar-Pamlico Nutrient Management Strategy, click here.
Service Area (where credits can be provided) |
Private Bank Sponsor/ Contact for Sales |
Mitigation Bank Site Name |
Buffer Credit/ Nutrient Credit |
Bank Documents1 |
---|---|---|---|---|
03020101 Tar-Pamlico | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Dead Tree Phase A | No / Yes | |
03020101 Tar-Pamlico | Mogensen Mitigation, Inc. Rich Mogensen 336-554-2728l |
Tar River Headwaters | Yes / Yes | |
03020102 Tar-Pamlico | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Bells Bridge | No / Yes | |
03020102 Tar-Pamlico | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Dead Tree Phase B | No / Yes | |
03020102 Tar-Pamlico | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
White Farm | No / Yes | |
03020103 Tar-Pamlico | Greene Environmental Services, LLC Jeffrey Becker 919-215-3899 |
Baldwin Swamp | Yes / Yes | |
03020103 Tar-Pamlico | Greene Environmental Services, LLC Jeffrey Becker 919-215-3899 |
Barlow Canal | No / Yes | |
03020103 Tar-Pamlico | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
Elm Grove | No/Yes | |
03020103 Tar-Pamlico | Greene Environmental Services, LLC Jeffrey Becker 919-215-3899 |
Evans Ballahack | No / Yes | |
03020103 Tar-Pamlico | Restoration Systems, LLC Caitlan Parker 843-261-3049 |
GUC | Yes / Yes | |
03020103 Tar-Pamlico | Greene Environmental Services, LLC Jeffrey Becker 919-215-3899 |
Pactolus | No / Yes | |
03020104 Tar-Pamlico | Greene Environmental Services, LLC Jeffrey Becker 919-215-3899 |
Dixon Road | Yes / Yes |
1 Credit ledgers are updated monthly when possible and are audited by DWR annually. Please contact the bank directly for current credit availability.
Catawba River Watershed Private Banks
For more information about the Catawba Nutrient Management Strategy, click here.
Service Area (where credits can be provided) |
Private Bank Sponsor/ Contact for Sales |
Mitigation Bank Site Name |
Buffer Credit/ Nutrient Credit |
Bank Documents1 |
---|---|---|---|---|
03050101 Catawba | Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (RES) Travis Cooke 336-255-8452 |
Dogtown | Yes / No | |
03050101 Catawba | Wildlands Holdings V, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Double Rock | Yes / No | |
03050101 Catawba | Wildlands Holdings V, LLC Camden Brunick 704-332-7754 x114 (O) 919-219-6162 (C) |
Firestone | Yes / No |
1 Credit ledgers are updated monthly when possible and are audited by DWR annually. Please contact the bank directly for current credit availability.
N.C. Division of Mitigation Services
For information about the In-Lieu Fee mitigation programs offered by the N.C. Division of Mitigation Services, click here.