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Property owners and developers planning to develop land may be required to provide mitigation for forest loss or afforestation. The first priority for providing mitigation for forest clearing is on-site, second, off-site replanting, and lastly, pay a fee-in-lieu to the county.
Off-site mitigation banks may be set up by private landowners and sell reforestation “credits” for profit to other landowners and developers who have reforestation or afforestation mitigation requirements as a result of development projects. The reforestation bank owner plants native trees on their property, posts a security to ensure survival, and places the planted area under a perpetual protective agreement, such as a conservation easement. In some instances, the bank owner can agree to preserve existing forested areas that will satisfy portions of the off-site planting requirements for developers.
For specific questions related to each mitigation bank, please contact the individual bank using the Off-site Reforestation Bank Contact List.