Wetlands that are permitted to be filled or altered must be compensated for in terms of functions and values. What is this requirement called?

The requirement to compensate for the functions and values of wetlands that are filled or altered is known as mitigation. Mitigation involves creating, restoring, or enhancing wetland areas to offset the loss of wetland benefits due to development projects. This process is essential to ensure that the overall ecological value of wetlands is maintained, despite the unavoidable impacts of certain human activities. The primary goal behind mitigation is to promote sustainable development while protecting the critical functions wetlands serve, such as water filtration, flood control, habitat provision, and carbon storage.

The importance of this concept lies in the balance it attempts to maintain between development needs and environmental protection. Mitigation denotes a proactive approach to managing the impacts of development on wetlands rather than merely addressing issues after they arise.