NJ-AWRA First Wetland Mitigation Bank in New York City – Restoring Urban Wetlands and Measuring Their Success

Time:   12:00 pm to 1:00 pm 

Date: Tuesday, September 30th, 2025

Peg McBrien, Vice President, Ecological Engineering WSP USA

Once a regular site of illegal dumping, Saw Mill Creek Marsh now provides habitat for three dozen species of birds, including the saltmarsh sparrow, whose population numbers are declining in the northeast. Surrounded by industry on Staten Island’s West Shore, the restored wetland is now a healthy ecosystem with native salt marsh grasses and winding tidal channels. It is also New York City’s only wetland “mitigation bank.” The project is generating mitigation credits that support permitted waterfront infrastructure projects across the City. Operated by the NYC Economic Development Corporation, on land owned by NYC Parks, the Saw Mill Creek Pilot Wetland Mitigation Bank (the Bank) provides a reliable source of wetland mitigation for the revitalization of New York City’s ports and waterways. The Bank protects and preserves NYC’s valuable wetlands, while supporting investment in coastal infrastructure. Envisioned in 2013 and constructed in 2018/2019, the Bank has met all of its success criteria (as documented by 5 years of post-construction monitoring). Restoration actions included the removal of contaminated soils, tires, and other debris from the Site to create tidal channels, high and low marsh, and enhanced upland buffers. Post-construction sediment and biota sampling was conducted to demonstrate the improvement of sediment ecology in addition to plant ecology and to monitor. The project is improving water and sediment quality, and plant and wildlife biodiversity in a critical coastal ecosystem.

  This meeting is a virtual meeting, link to be provided to attendees via email upon registration.

Speaker Bio:

Peg McBrien

Vice President, Ecological Engineering WSP USA