EPA created a two page fact sheet for the public on compensatory mitigation.  For every authorized discharge, the adverse impacts to wetlands, streams and other aquatic resources must be avoided and minimized to the extent practicable. For unavoidable impacts, compensatory mitigation is required to replace the loss of wetland and aquatic resource functions in the watershed.

• Compensatory Mitigation Factsheet (PDF)(2 pp, 295 K)