RES Acquires Blueway

RES announced today the acquisition of Blueway, a leading ecological mitigation solution provider in the Southeast United States. Based in Watkinsville, Georgia, Blueway has helped pioneer wetland and stream restoration in Georgia and Tennessee, working with landowners, regulators, and permittees to support environmentally responsible infrastructure and develop mitigation sites.

RES is acquiring the full operations of Blueway, comprised of their employees and offices in Georgia and Tennessee. In an additional joint venture, announced separately, RES and Ecosystem Investment Partners IV (EIP) are acquiring Mitigation Resource Group’s 11 mitigation banks in Georgia currently operated by Blueway. The Blueway team will continue managing these banks as a part of RES. In addition, Blueway leadership will continue guiding market-leading ecological restoration services in Georgia for RES while also supporting RES’ existing team in Tennessee and work on expanding opportunities for ecological uplift across the region.

Blueway and RES, the nation’s largest dedicated ecological services provider, share a focus on an operating-company approach to mitigation site design, implementation, and long-term stewardship. RES’ integrated operating business model has achieved national success with the streamlining of permit delivery and compliance by developing robust, self-sustaining ecosystems that help maintain the ecological balance.

“With Blueway, we’re adding the region’s best talent in the science, engineering, and creative problemsolving needed to bring new mitigation projects online and see them through successfully,” says Darrell Whitley, RES President and CEO. “Their local knowledge and relationships, and the trust they’ve established with landowners and regulators, are critical to maintaining a leadership position in Georgia while supporting existing RES operations in Tennessee and creating new opportunities for future growth and expansion.”

“We couldn’t be happier to be a part of RES,” says Trey Evans, Blueway President and CEO. “We’ve invested heavily over the years in having a more integrated approach to ecosystem restoration, from site selection through construction and long-term monitoring. We are excited to have access to the RES platform to expand our offerings in the region, increase operational capabilities, and take our project excellence to the next level.”

Founded in 2010, Blueway (formerly Mitigation Management) manages over 30 mitigation banks across Georgia and Tennessee. As part of RES, the Blueway team will continue its operations in Watkinsville, GA and Nashville, TN, while working closely with the RES team in the region to further serve customers and project stakeholders in the community.