Corbett Mitigation Bank

Birkitt Environmental Services, Inc. (Birkitt) provided an assessment and agency coordination for the development of a unique mitigation bank concept at the Corbett Wildlife Management Area (Corbett) in Southeast Florida. The project was a joint venture between a private entity with certain rights on Corbett and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The goal of the project was to provide environmental, management, ownership and other benefits to the FWC through conveyance to FWC of certain outstanding real property interests in the Corbett held by private interests, implementation of ecological enhancement activities within specified areas of Corbett, and long-term management within the enhancement areas.  The bank would also benefit the regional ecosystem and watersheds and citizens who utilize Corbett as a recreational facility. The establishment of the bank at Corbett would include the conveyance of its property rights of ingress and egress to mine, drill, or explore for oil and habitat enhancement opportunities of specific areas within Corbett. Birkitt provided preliminary pro forma data for bank development. Detailed vegetation monitoring, habitat assessment, and management plan development was completed throughout the WMA working in conjunction with FWC and included preliminary consideration of hydrologic conditions on site. Birkitt prepared permit applications and coordinated with the FDEP and the USACE to evaluate the mitigation bank and with FWC on land management requirements.  The initial ~50,000-acre concept was revised to include a 2,476-acre initial phase.  Due to policy considerations and  legislation the project was withdrawn.