Proposed Polecat Creek Mitigation Bank, Troup County, Georgia (75 acres)

The proposed Polecat Creek Mitigation Bank aims to generate stream credits by restoring and preserving streams and associated riparian buffers. Approximately 6,500 feet of Polecat Creek, one second-order tributary, and two first-order tributaries have been proposed for restoration. These waters have been severely impacted by past channelization and cattle farming operations within the adjacent floodplain. Bank erosion due to cattle hoof shear is widespread along much of Polecat Creek and its tributaries. Additional impacts include a three-acre farm pond that has impounded approximately 625 feet of stream. The proposed stream restoration includes removing the onsite farm pond impoundment and restoring degraded reaches into channels that contain stable channel dimensions, patterns, and profiles. Approximately 6,700 feet of riparian buffer has been proposed for restoration or preservation. Currently, vegetation within the adjacent stream buffers is limited to various pasture grasses and limited forested reaches where the understory has been grazed by cattle. Riparian restoration activities would entail planting riparian buffers with native tree species to enhance wildlife habitat and to provide additional stabilization to the existing disturbed soils. Removing the cattle from the site is expected to aid in the reestablishment of understory vegetation and the stabilization of eroded stream banks.

Based on preliminary calculations of mitigation credits, the proposed Polecat Creek Mitigation Bank has the potential to generate a total of 94,600 stream credits. These credits will be sold to Section 404 permit applicants that are required to compensate for stream impacts occurring within the Middle Chattahoochee service area. Please note that the potential credit generation is only an estimate; therefore, the actual number of credits generated by the proposed bank is likely to change.