Tygart Valley River Stream and Wetland Mitigation Bank

Located along the Tygart Valley River, this mitigation bank transformed a former agricultural site into a thriving mosaic of wetlands, streams, and upland habitats. Before restoration, the site consisted of drained wet meadows and degraded wetlands that had been altered through decades of agricultural use. Historically, the area was characterized by bottomland hardwood and shrub forests, with two small streams meandering through the landscape before joining the Tygart River. Over time, these natural systems were channelized and cleared to support the production of pasture, hay, and crops.

In 2010, RES implemented comprehensive restoration efforts across the site, including stream and wetland restoration, upland enhancement, and reforestation. Diverse native trees and shrubs were planted using a mix of container stock, tublings, and live stakes to reestablish woody vegetation and habitat complexity. Wetland vernal pools were seeded with native herbaceous species to promote emergent wetland characteristics, while shrub zones were planted with elderberry, buttonbush, and silky dogwood. Hard mast species, such as oaks, were strategically incorporated across upland and wetland zones to support long-term ecosystem resilience and wildlife habitat.

The Tygart Valley River Mitigation Bank provides compensatory mitigation for a range of wetland and stream impacts, including emergent, scrub-shrub, and forested wetlands, as well as ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial streams. The bank services the Tygart Valley (HUC 05020001) and its neighboring watersheds, including the West Fork (HUC 05020002), Upper Monongahela (HUC 05020003), and Cheat (HUC 05020004).

Restoration outcomes include:

8.5 acres of wetland restoration

3.81 acres of wetland enhancement

4.84 acres of wetland creation

9.31 acres of upland buffer restoration and preservation

3,073 linear feet of stream restoration across two unnamed tributaries to the Tygart River

All success criteria for the Tygart Valley River Stream and Wetland Mitigation Bank have been achieved, and the site is now under long-term management and monitoring to ensure lasting ecological performance.