# WAC 173-700-100: WAC 173-700-100. Background and purpose

> Washington · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_100

## Section

- **Citation:** WAC 173-700-100
- **Heading:** WAC 173-700-100. Background and purpose
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Administrative Code / Title 173 / Chapter 173-700 / Section 173-700-100

## Text

(1) The Wetlands Mitigation Banking Act, chapter 90.84 RCW, identifies wetland mitigation banking (banks) as an important regulatory tool for providing compensatory mitigation for unavoidable impacts to wetlands and declares it the policy of the state to support banking. The act directs the department of ecology (department) to adopt rules establishing a statewide process for certifying banks.
(2) The department anticipates that banks will provide compensatory mitigation in advance of unavoidable impacts to wetlands and will consolidate compensatory mitigation into larger contiguous areas for regionally significant ecological benefits.
(3) Banks prioritize restoration of wetland functions and as such should be complementary to the restoration of ecosystems and ecosystem processes as identified in state or locally adopted science-based watershed management plans.
(4) The purpose of this chapter is to encourage banking by providing an efficient, predictable statewide framework for the certification and operation of environmentally sound banks. This chapter sets out to accomplish the following:
(a) Provide timely review of bank proposals;
(b) Establish coordination among state, local, tribal, and federal agencies involved in the certification of banks;
(c) Ensure consistency with existing federal mitigation rules; and
(d) Provide incentives to encourage bank sponsors (sponsors) to locate and design banks that provide the greatest ecological benefits.

## Nearby sections

- [WAC 173-700-100 WAC 173-700-100. Background and purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_100.md)
- [WAC 173-700-101 WAC 173-700-101. Applicability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_101.md)
- [WAC 173-700-102 WAC 173-700-102. Applicability to tribal banks](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_102.md)
- [WAC 173-700-103 WAC 173-700-103. Public records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_103.md)
- [WAC 173-700-104 WAC 173-700-104. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_104.md)
- [WAC 173-700-200 WAC 173-700-200. How do other laws and rules relate to banks?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_200.md)
- [WAC 173-700-201 WAC 173-700-201. Decision-making procedure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_201.md)
- [WAC 173-700-210 WAC 173-700-210. Purpose of the prospectus](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_210.md)
- [WAC 173-700-211 WAC 173-700-211. Content of the prospectus](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_211.md)
- [WAC 173-700-212 WAC 173-700-212. Submittal of the prospectus](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_212.md)
- [WAC 173-700-220 WAC 173-700-220. Convening the interagency review team](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_220.md)
- [WAC 173-700-221 WAC 173-700-221. Purpose of the instrument](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_221.md)
- [WAC 173-700-222 WAC 173-700-222. Content of the instrument](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_222.md)
- [WAC 173-700-223 WAC 173-700-223. Preliminary review of the technical elements of the draft instrument](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_223.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_700_100. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.