This two-day class will provide wetland regulators and consultants with a practical tool for calculating if mitigation projects will adequately replace the functions and values lost to altered wetlands. The class is based on a new method developed by the Department of Ecology called ""Calculating Credits and Debits for Compensatory Mitigation in Wetlands of Western Washington"" (Ecology Publication #10-06-11). This method is designed to provide guidance for both regulators and applicants during two stages of the mitigation process: 1) estimating the functions and values lost when a wetland is altered, and 2) estimating the gain in functions and values that result from the mitigation.

The Credit Debit Method is based on the Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington (Ecology publication #04-06-025). This workshop however does not provide training in the wetland rating system. Training in the wetland rating system is strongly suggested as a PRE-REQUISITE for this workshop.

This course will include a required virtual session on Zoom on12/1 (9:00 am - 12:30 pm). Participants will visit wetlands in Thurston County with the instructor on 12/2 (9 am - 12:30 pm). The in-person session will be conducted in wetlands in Thurston County, so dress appropriately. (6 CM AICP Credits/CEP Points).

All participants will be expected to follow Washington Department of Ecology’s COVID-19 guidelines at the time of the training. Specifically, you will be asked to complete a COVID-19 health screening within 12 hours of arriving at the field session and wear a mask.

You will receive a copy of the “Credit-Debit” manual. Note:  This class will qualify you to use the 2014 Wetland Rating System if you have already taken the 2-day training in the older rating system in Western WA.

Instructor: 

Dr. Amy Yahnke is the senior wetland ecologist for the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program at the Washington State Department of Ecology. She holds a Certificate in Wetland Science and Management, BS in Environmental Horticulture, MS in Forest Resources, and PhD in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. She has studied wetland ecology within the contexts of amphibians, invasive plants, and stormwater management. Dr. Yahnke has experience teaching a wide range of environmental topics to audiences of all ages.