San Francisco In-Lieu Fee Program

Mucky Marsh project site.

The Ducks Unlimited San Francisco In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Program is nearing approval and will sell Estuarine (Tidal) and Freshwater Wetlands credits spanning the entire tidal-freshwater wetland continuum in the Bay Area.

By purchasing wetland mitigation credits from the ILF Program, clients transfer legal obligations to provide mitigation to Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU). By working with DU to satisfy your mitigation obligations, you are streamlining your obligations, often achieving costs savings over permittee-responsible mitigation, and advancing regional conservation objectives.

Qualifications of Sponsor

DU is recognized as the world's largest private wetlands conservation organization and has over 85 years of experience restoring and protecting habitat, especially aquatic resources. DU applies a science-based, watershed approach to deliver turnkey mitigation projects that span all types of coastal and inland wetlands, streams, riparian buffer, and upland habitats.

DU has been restoring the San Francisco Bay Estuary for more than 20 years and will soon be operating the San Francisco Bay Area ILF Program. The private-lands project pictured restored dozens of acres of tidal salt marsh.

Credit Applicability:

San Francisco District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Permits (CWA Section 404 and RHA Section 10), San Francisco Regional Water Board (Water Board) Permits (CWA Section 401, Porter-Cologne), damages, NEPA no-net loss requirements, swamp-buster and certain state issued permitting mechanisms can use the program.

Credit Reservation Options:

Upon program approval, DU has options for purchase of credits ahead of permit issuance (non-refundable), and under certain conditions credits may be reserved.

For more information contact: