RIO VISTA, Calif., Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Westervelt Ecological Services (WES) announces that the Cache Slough Mitigation Bank (Bank) has been approved with mitigation credits available to support infrastructure, transportation, water, renewable energy, and other development projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and surrounding areas. The Bank provides freshwater marsh complex and floodplain riparian habitat credits that can be used for federally listed species, including Chinook salmon, steelhead, green sturgeon, delta smelt, and giant garter snake, as well as regulated aquatic resources. The Bank was approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service.
“As California continues to invest in critical water, transportation, energy, and infrastructure projects, successful mitigation depends on having high-quality conservation solutions available when and where they’re needed,” said Travis Hemmen, President of Westervelt Ecological Services. “Cache Slough provides that certainty by advancing habitat restoration in one of the State’s highest conservation priorities. We are proud to deliver benefits for both project applicants and California’s natural resources.”
Located north of the City of Rio Vista in Solano County, the 314-acre Bank will help meet regional mitigation needs while providing broader ecological benefits throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Situated at the southern end of the Yolo Bypass, the Bank lies at the confluence of Cache Slough, Steamboat Slough, and the Sacramento River, an important migration corridor for native fish. Beyond supporting mitigation needs, the restored wetland complex will contribute to regional floodplain and flood-management functions.
Landscape view of Cache Slough Mitigation Bank prior to restoration.
After being cut off from tidal influence around the 1950s and used primarily for agriculture, WES will restore the site by re-establishing freshwater tidal marsh and floodplain vegetation communities that reflect historic conditions. Restoration activities include excavating tidal channels, reconnecting the landscape to Cache Slough and the Sacramento River, and creating a range of elevations that support diverse habitat types. The project is designed to restore natural tidal processes, improve ecological connectivity, expand habitat for native fish and wildlife, and strengthen the long-term resilience of the Delta ecosystem.
The Bank site is permanently protected through a conservation easement held by the California Waterfowl Association, with long-term endowment funding held by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to ensure the site’s ecological functions are maintained in perpetuity.
For more information about the Cache Slough Mitigation Bank and credit availability, contact Amanda Dwyer at (925) 783-9924 or [email protected].
About Westervelt Ecological Services: Westervelt Ecological Services is a leading provider of mitigation and conservation banking solutions dedicated to restoring and preserving wetlands, streams, and critical wildlife habitat. A division of The Westervelt Company, a land stewardship organization based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with140 years of history, WES provides mitigation banking and restoration solutions to support responsible development across the United States. To learn more visit www.wesmitigation.com.
Contact:
Amanda Dwyer | Sales and Business Development Manager
(925) 783-9924 | [email protected]
Angela Lagneaux | Project Manager
(916) 622-7898 | [email protected]
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/675586b4-5552-41ed-a5ef-6c8ad5860124
