Purpose of the program
The Indiana Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program (IN SWMP), is a statewide in-lieu fee program that allows permittee applicants (developers) the option to purchase stream and/or wetland mitigation credits to fulfill compensatory mitigation requirements for permitted impacts authorized under Sections 404 and 401 of the Clean Water Act, Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, and Indiana’s State Isolated Wetlands law (Indiana Code 13-18-22).
DNR’s program sells “advance credits” to permit applicants who purchase these credits in-lieu of performing mitigation themselves (i.e., permit recipient-responsible mitigation). The legal obligation to provide compensatory mitigation is then transferred to the sponsor of the in-lieu fee program (Indiana DNR) upon receipt of associated credit fees.
DNR’s program is regulated by the Corps under the 2008 Federal Rule (33 CFR Part 332), “Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources” (“Mitigation Rule”) as published in the Federal Register by the Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 10, 2008.
Additionally, the Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) adopted new rules allowing for the creation and use of an in-lieu fee program (ILFP) to satisfy mitigation requirements for permits authorizing construction in a floodway, public freshwater lake or navigable waterway issued by the DNR Division of Water under the Flood Control Act, Lakes Preservation Act or Navigable Waterways Act. The NRC approved Information Bulletin #79 regarding In-Lieu Fee Mitigation at its meeting on May 19, 2020.
Previously, these permits required an applicant to restore aquatic resources and habitat either (1) at or near the project site, or (2) using an approved mitigation bank. The ILF program adds a mitigation option for permit applicants.