9月25日美國華盛頓的生態部給予史挪合米許郡和佩恩機場的副指揮官拉瓦蘭（Bill Lewallen）最高的榮譽，因為他們的創新和領導能力，使得該州第一個濕地緩衝銀行成功完成鑑定。
州立和聯邦法都禁止因開發造成的濕地流失，濕地銀行是針對已有濕地所推動的復育計畫，如果開發計畫需要侵毀濕地，則可在法律核准下，於相同流域的濕地緩衝銀河購買濕地額度，而濕地銀行也是復原計畫一部份。
「佩恩濕地緩衝銀行是一個有意義的成就，」西北區生態辦公室的執行長桑門海斯（Jeannie Summerhays）表示，「因為他是第一個在華盛頓區被所有層級，包含地方、州立和聯邦都鑑定核可。」
生態環境傑出獎是頒發給對於保護、改善或是清潔環境有卓越貢獻的個人、企業或是組織。
「這個濕地銀行是一個環境和經濟的成就，」史挪合米許郡行政官員瑞爾敦（Aaron Reardon）於9月24日表示，「他代表了史挪合米許郡嘗試在發展和環境保護上取得平衡。」
這個計畫是由一個60英畝的濕地保留地組成，未來該郡的機場開發計畫可以從濕地銀行中購買額度，以補償不可避免的濕地破壞。
10年前，在美國環境保護署生態部門、美軍工程團和聯邦飛行管理處的幫助之下，史挪合米許郡開始開發一個濕地緩衝銀行。
4月，管理部門決定兩個濕地已經夠成熟為緩衝補償的額度，核准之後，從各機關來的官員們聚集一堂慶祝。
環境保護署的核准是任何濕地緩衝銀行不可或缺的因子，而華盛頓州的計畫是根據聯邦的標準所設定的。
「我們區域的濕地和小溪流不只是歸於和其他瀕臨絕種生物的棲地，他們也防止洪水和暴風雨侵襲所帶來的損失。」環保署西雅圖區域主管米勒（Elin Miller）表示，「我們新的濕地緩衝法規確保了生態上的成功，也對地產所有者和開發者提供更大的一致性和可預期性。」
這個緩衝銀行在佩恩開發後即將派上用場，卡斯與庫克航空空司(Castle & Cooke Aviation Inc.)正在佩恩開發第一個商用飛機的基地，預計2009年開始啟用，希望可以吸引商用飛機這塊市場大餅。
這個計畫的第一期會使用24英畝的土地，卡斯與庫克航空公司已租借了佩恩的西側，計畫包含了一個40000平方尺的停機棚和另一個16000平方尺的辦公室和供商業客機乘客使用的休閒空間。
Today, the Washington Department of Ecology extended its highest honor to both Snohomish County and Paine Field Airport Deputy Director Bill Lewallen for innovation and leadership in successfully completing the first fully accredited wetland mitigation bank in the state.
State and federal laws prohibit the loss of most wetlands due to development. A wetland bank is a pre-existing wetland restoration project. Projects that must offset wetland losses may purchase credits at a wetland bank in the same watershed - subject to regulatory approval. Wetland bank credits represent portions of completed restoration projects.
"Paine Field's wetland mitigation bank is a monumental achievement," said Ecology Northwest Regional Office Director Jeannie Summerhays. "This is the first wetland bank in Washington to be accredited at all levels - local, state and federal."
Ecology's Environmental Excellence Awards are reserved for individuals, businesses and organizations that have shown leadership, innovation or extraordinary service in protecting, improving or cleaning up the environment.
"This wetland bank is an environmental and economic achievement," Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon said Wednesday. "It speaks to the effort Snohomish County is making toward balancing growth with environmental protection, and it shows that our county staff is among the best in the state."
The project is made up of 60 acres of restored wetland. Future county airport projects can tap into the bank's credits to offset wetland losses that cannot be avoided.
Ten years ago, Snohomish County began developing a wetland mitigation bank with the help of the Department of Ecology, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Aviation Administration.
In April, regulatory agencies determined two wetland properties had matured enough to be made available for mitigation. Officials from each agency gathered Wednesday to celebrate the final approval.
EPA approval is a must for any wetland mitigation bank, and Washington state's program is based on federal standards.
"Our region's wetlands and small streams are not only home to salmon and other threatened and endangered wildlife, but they also prevent flooding and protect us from storm damage" said Elin Miller, EPA's regional administrator in Seattle. "Our new wetland mitigation rule will help ensure ecological success, while providing greater consistency and predictability for property owners and developers."
The mitigation bank will be needed as development comes to Paine Field. Castle & Cooke Aviation Inc. is developing the first base for corporate jets at Paine Field, with plans to open the facility in 2009 in an attempt to attract the lucrative corporate jet market.
The first phase of the project will be built on 24 acres Castle & Cooke Aviation has leased on the west edge of Paine Field. Plans include a 40,000 square-foot hangar, and another 16,000 square feet of offices and amenities for corporate jet travelers.
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