Brooks Swamp Mitigation Site

About the project

RestorEcology permitted a natural habitat restoration project on two tributaries to Brooks Swamp in Wayne County, North Carolina. Over 11 acres of agricultural field were planted with native hardwood trees to improve water quality in the project streams. Planting took place in early 2024, and the site will be monitored for success through 2029.

Before restoration, row crops ran to the edge of the stream channels, so fertilizer and sediment washed directly into the water. Today the same ground is a young forest of oaks, bald cypress, sycamore and other native species. As the trees mature they shade the channels, stabilize the banks and take up nitrogen that would otherwise reach the Neuse River and its estuary.

Credits available

Nitrogen (lb) and Neuse riparian buffer credits became available in the second quarter of 2024 to offset stormwater and buffer impacts from development. The project’s service area is the Neuse River Basin, cataloging unit 03020201, excluding the Falls Lake watershed. That covers much of Wake, Johnston and Wayne counties, including Raleigh, Garner, Clayton, Smithfield and Goldsboro.

• Nitrogen nutrient offset credits for projects that cannot meet the Neuse stormwater nitrogen target on site
• Riparian buffer credits for permitted impacts to protected buffers under the Neuse buffer rule

To buy credits, request a quote with your project location and the quantity your permit requires. We reply by email with pricing and availability and issue a Credit Transfer Certificate once payment is received.

Long-term protection

The restored area is protected by a recorded conservation easement. After the monitoring period, RestorEcology funds an endowment so a long-term steward holds the easement and keeps the buffer intact in perpetuity.