Upper Alabama River mitigation bank moves closer to federal approval

By AI, Created 3:50 PM UTC, May 21, 2026, /AGP/ – A Lowndes County, Alabama stream mitigation bank has completed its revised prospectus and entered U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review, advancing toward approval of its mitigation banking instrument. If approved, the project could release 172,170 Phase 1 stream credits and begin sales to permitted projects in its service area.

Why it matters: - The Upper Alabama River Mitigation Bank could add a new source of compensatory stream credits for projects that must offset impacts under federal and state permitting rules. - The bank’s approval would also unlock a planned credit sale program tied to restoration work in the Upper Alabama River Watershed.

What happened: - The Upper Alabama River Mitigation Bank completed its Revised Prospectus and entered formal review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District Interagency Review Team. - The bank sits on a 154.76-acre site in Lowndes County, Alabama. - Hollingsworth Farms, LLC sponsors the project, with Jim Hollingsworth as principal. - The Mitigation Banking Group, Inc., led by CEO Victoria Bruce, manages the project as mitigation consultant.

The details: - Phase 1 includes 15,990 linear feet of stream restoration. - Phase 1A covers 7,240 linear feet. - Phase 1B covers 8,750 linear feet. - Phase 1 is designed to generate 172,170 potential stream credits. - Phase 2 adds another 168,000 potential credits. - Steve Jones of Meanders River Restoration, Inc. leads the stream design. - The design uses the Rosgen Method of natural channel design. - The project cites Coastal Plain restoration experience as part of the design approach. - Neil C. Johnston, Esq. of Hand, Arendall, Harrison, Sale in Mobile, Alabama, handles the conservation easement and regulatory legal work. - If the mitigation banking instrument is approved, the bank can release an initial 34,434 credits. - That first release equals 20% of Phase 1A credits. - The opening price is set at $175 per credit. - Later release periods are priced up to $295 per credit. - The project’s published proforma puts total Phase 1 projected revenue at about $40.7 million.

Between the lines: - The bank is advancing through the standard federal mitigation approval process, which makes USACE review a key gating step before any credits can be sold. - The watershed appears to have active demand already, with recent RIBITS transactions from Hyundai Transformers, Maxwell Air Force Base and Ferroglobe USA. - Identified pipeline demand includes mining remediation, new mine permit requirements, federal bridge replacement work and Alabama Department of Transportation projects. - Those needs can trigger mitigation obligations under Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act.

What’s next: - UARMB is seeking approval of the mitigation banking instrument, conservation easement and final design plans. - After approval, the bank would be authorized to sell stream credits to permitted projects within its service area. - Project documents, including the Revised Prospectus and proforma, are available through the project listing maintained by The Mitigation Banking Group. - The Mitigation Banking Group also points readers to more information about the firm.