Webster Creek Mitigation Bank

Mary A Ranch Mitigation Bank is located adjacent to the Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve, which is an Outstanding Florida Water, approximately 1.5 miles south of the city limits of New Smyrna Beach and is bisected by Webster Creek in Volusia County, Florida. The bank site is approximately 116 acres and is comprised of a diversity of upland and wetland ecological communities and will contribute to a regional integrated ecological network. The project is comprised of existing mangrove swamp, existing ditches, spoil piles, tidal flats, and tidal pools. By 1973, a majority of the mangroves and salt marsh within the property was dragline ditched for mosquito control reducing the estuarine wetland communities. Subsequently restoration and enhancement of the dragline ditching restored the coastal wetlands with shallow/narrow ditches. This work created more habitat for use by wading and shore birds, greater production of fishes, crabs and shrimps, and a reduction in the mosquito population. Based upon the community types found on the site, the project could provide habitat and food sources for several different species that are either endangered, threatened, or of special concern to the state of Florida.