Solano Land Trust is often asked by developers and public agencies to assist with mitigation projects. Regulating agencies typically require that developers conduct mitigation to compensate for the loss of productive agricultural lands, wetlands and wildlife habitat as a result of development. Mitigation projects often involve the preservation and restoration of land similar to that which is lost. SLT chooses to participate in mitigation projects which support the organization’s conservation mission.

SLT’s board of directors approved a mitigation program document in 2004, which establishes a process and a set of criteria for evaluating and accepting mitigation proposals. SLT’s involvement occurs only after regulating agencies (cities, counties, special districts, or state and federal agencies) have established mitigation requirements. SLT has formed a mitigation committee made up of both board and community members to provide guidance to the organization with respect to mitigation.

SLT’s role in mitigation projects has included the following:

• Holding conservation easements on mitigation land.
• Receiving conservation land in fee-title.
• Designing and implementing habitat restoration projects on existing SLT properties.
• Receiving mitigation fees to fund land preservation and restoration activities.

If your organization has a need to mitigate and would like to request the assistance of SLT, contact Audrey Kitzes at (707) 432-0150 x206 or audrey@solanolandtrust.org.