Mitigation Bank

Zacharias Ranch Mitigation Bank

Species and Wetland Mitigation

Approved in 2025, WES is building upon the success of our prior floodplain restoration projects, such as the Cosumnes Floodplain Mitigation Bank and Bullock Bend Mitigation Bank, with the implementation of the 580-acre Zacharias Ranch Mitigation Bank.

WES has collaborated closely with state and federal agencies to provide compensatory mitigation credits from the bank to support local infrastructure improvements. Credits from this bank will also help meet mitigation requirements established by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Compensatory mitigation credits from this highly anticipated bank will cover sensitive aquatic resources and dependent species, such as Chinook salmon.

Location:

Sacramento County, CA

Credit Types:

Freshwater Marsh Complex
EFH Chinook Salmon

Acres:

580

Approving Agencies:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Restoration

Restoration at Zacharias Ranch Mitigation Bank is focused on returning the site to a functioning part of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta’s natural floodplain. WES is transforming former agricultural land into a mosaic of freshwater tidal marsh and riparian habitat by reconnecting the site to nearby waterways. Construction began in 2025 and will be completed in 2026 with a final site breach, allowing tidal flows to move in and out of the site. This approach supports long-term ecological function by creating habitat for native species, improving connectivity across the Delta, and allowing the site to respond naturally to changing water levels over time.

Tribal Coordination

Wilton Rancheria

WES has worked closely with the Wilton Rancheria and other parties to provide a comprehensive approach to the restoration plan and bank operations. Through this collaboration, the Wilton Rancheria provided a list of plants with tribal cultural connections to consider including in our plant list for restoration. Additionally, WES has included language in our bank documents that specify access and use of the site by Wilton Rancheria for ceremony, collection, and education—demonstrating the protection of Tribal Trust Resources and supporting the Federal Trust Responsibility.