Cat 5 Mitigation Bank

The Cat 5 Mitigation Bank is a stream and wetland mitigation bank located in Upson County, Georgia, about 5.6 miles northwest of Thomaston, within the Upper Flint River primary service area. The Georgia Alabama Land Trust has identified this watershed as one of the top-priority 12-digit HUCs in the entire Flint River basin for restoration. This designation reflects both its ecological importance and the amount of work that needs to be done. The project also qualifies for the Middle Chattahoochee River secondary service area, a competitive and high-demand market.

The bank covers a 68.5-acre conservation easement. Hurricane Creek runs through the center of the property, originating around 2,800 linear feet off site, with eight unnamed tributaries joining it within the project area. Slope wetland features are also present throughout. Most of the on-site stream network, including much of Hurricane Creek itself, is significantly degraded, making this site a strong candidate for ecological restoration.

The project will restore and protect approximately 9,078 linear feet of intermittent and perennial stream, reestablishing structure, function, and aquatic habitat across the site. In addition, we’ll protect and functionally enhance approximately 6.15 acres of impaired wetlands. Wetland restoration will focus on reconnecting streams to their floodplains, planting native tree species to restore forested wetland communities, and controlling invasive species so native plant communities can take hold and thrive.