Wetland Compensation


Paine Field Airport Home >Wetland Compensation Bank Program - Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary
Created by the airport with support from the FAA and other regulatory agencies, the Wetland Compensation Bank Program was developed to mitigate Airport construction project impacts on wetlands and has resulted in the first operating wetland banks in the State of Washington. Recognized nationally for its creative approach to wetland mitigation, it now serves as a program model in wetlands creation, preservation and compensation.
In November, 1998 the Airport's first wetland mitigation bank was approved by the regulatory oversight committee. Because bird strikes are major safety concerns at the Airport, the on-site mitigation bank is designed to have dense foliage over emergent areas to discourage the presence of waterfowl. That bank is located at the south end of the Main Runway 16R/34L. In March, 1999 the oversight committee approved the withdrawal of mitigation credits from the Airport's off-site bank. This 48-acre bank is located at the northeast corner of Seaway Boulevard on 75th Street S.W. and was dedicated and opened on July 31, 1999 as a passive recreation and environmental education public park.
Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary offers an interpretative boardwalk, 1.5 miles of trails, greenhouse, outdoor classroom, and has an open water habitat which attracts waterfowl. The Airport has presented the success of their Program in numerous national, state and regional conferences over the past three years and participates currently in the development of Washington State Rules for Wetland Mitigation Banking.
For further information on the Wetland Compensation Bank Program please contact Bill Lewallen, Deputy Airport Director/Property Development at 425-388-5116 or via e-mail.