East Central Florida Mitigation Bank (ECFMB) is located in Orange County. ECFMB credits are available to offset impacts for projects located in North & East Orange County, Seminole, Volusia, Osceola and Brevard Counties. Its service area includes drainage basins 18, 19, 23, and part of 20, in the St. Johns River Water Management District.
EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA MITIGATION BANK PROJECT
East Central Florida Mitigation Bank is a 1,000 +/- acre site located in the northeastern portion of Orange County. The property is contiguous with 58,000 acres of public lands including Orlando Wilderness Park, Seminole Ranch, and Tosohatchee State Reserve. Six state and/or federally listed wildlife species and seven state-listed T& E plant species have been observed on the project site.
EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA MITIGATION BANK PROJECT RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT PLAN
Drainage activities occurred across the eastern portion of the site in the mid 1900s to improve site conditions for cattle and viticulture operations. The emphasis of the bank plan is restoration, enhancement and preservation of the previously degraded forested and herbaceous systems through hydro-logic restoration, eradication of exotic and nuisance species and some native plantings.
Construction activities included ditch plugs, culverts and drainage to restore the historic hydrology of the site. These drainage improvements re-established a more natural flow pattern in this area and eliminated over-flooding in some areas and under water supply in other areas.
East Central Florida Mitigation Bank was permitted for 286.3 credits. These credits are appropriated to offset either forested or herbaceous impacts. All restoration activities are complete at this bank and all credits have been released.