I 



33 



ratios shall be doubled to recognize existing functional 

 values and, provided further, that category I wetlands 

 shall not be enhanced. 



4) Wetland Type 



A. In-kind compensation shall be provided except where the 

 applicant can demonstrate that: 



i. the wetland system is already significantly degraded 

 and out-of-kind replacement will result in a wetland with 

 greater functional value; 



ii. scientific problems such as exotic vegetation and 

 changes in watershed hydrology make implementation of 

 in-kind compensation impossible; or 



ill. out-of-kind replacement will best meet identified 

 regional goals (eg. , replacement of historically 

 diminished wetland types) . 



iv. where out-of-kind replacement is accepted, greater 

 acreage replacement ratios may be required to compensate 

 for lost functional values. 



5) Location. 



A. On-site compensation shall be provided except where the 

 applicant can demonstrate that: 



i. the hydrology and ecosystem of the original wetland 



and those who benefit from the hydrology and ecosystem 



will not be substantially damaged by the onsite loss; and 



ii. onsite compensation is not scientifically feasible 



due to problems with hydrology, soils, waves, or other 



factors ; or 



iii. compensation is not practical due to potentially 



adverse impact from surrounding land uses; or 



iv. existing functional values at the site of the 



proposed restoration are significantly greater than lost 



wetland functional values; or 



V. that established regional goals for flood storage, 



flood conveyance, habitat or other wetland functions have 



been established and strongly justify location of 



compensatory measures at another site. 



B. Off site compensation shall occur within the same 

 watershed as the wetland loss occurred, provided that 

 category IV wetlands may be replaced outside of the 

 watershed when there is no reasonable alternative. 



C. In selecting compensation sites, applicants shall pursue 

 siting in the following order of preference: 



i. upland sites which were formerly wetlands; 

 ii. idled upland sites generally having bare ground or 

 vegetative cover consisting primarily of exotic 

 introduced species, weeds, or emergent vegetation; 

 iii. other disturbed upland. 



