Stream Restoration as a BMP: Crediting Guidance

Stream restoration provides numerous benefits to ecosystems and communities, and could also provide pollutant trading and mitigation opportunities. This crediting guidance offers a general technical framework for quantifying the water quality benefits of a specific suite of stream restoration practices: stream stabilization, riparian buffers, in-stream enhancement, and floodplain reconnection. The general technical considerations and challenges for developing stream restoration credits are discussed, along with guidance for credit development. The original version of this crediting guidance was published in 2016. The 2022 re-release includes several key updates, including guidance on quantifying the benefits of stream restoration for reducing ambient water temperatures, two case studies with utility partners, and additional recommendations based on research conducted since the 2016 report was released. Published in 2022.