The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Oregon Department of State Lands are seeking comments on a proposal to establish a wetland mitigation bank along Willanch Lane near North Bend.

Jerald Humbert is proposing to establish a 54-acre wetland mitigation bank.

Wetland mitigation banks are large sites on which landowners deliberately create wetlands as mitigation for the impacts of future development, a press release said.  Developers whose projects will impact wetlands can buy credits from the bank equal to the acreage they’re impacting rather than independently create smaller, scattered restoration projects.

The agency considers consolidation of projects in wetlands mitigation banks as a way to encourage greater diversity of habitat and wetland functions, and create more sustainable ecological systems.

The property borders Willanch Creek, which runs with coho salmon, and has been used for decades for livestock grazing and hay production. Known as the Rood Ranch, Humbert now owns the property. Dikes along the creek would be removed to restore tidal wetlands.

Public Notice NWP-2008-328 provides more information about the proposal is available at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/public.asp and the prospectus which outlines the plan for the bank is available at http://www.statelandsonline.com/pdfs/APP0041104.pdf. Comments must be received by Aug. 18.