1. Level of recognition: Generally, there will be only one award presented in each category each year. However, the selection committee may determine that more than one award would be appropriate. Likewise, the committee may determine that no award would be appropriate.
     
2. Eligibility: Permitted projects involving wetland areas.
     
3. Categories of Awards:

1. Wetland Mitigation (including compensatory mitigation, wetland banking, Mitigation Bank Revolving Fund projects, and payment-to-provide projects)
2. Wetland restoration, creation or enhancement projects (i.e., Non-regulatory projects instituted voluntarily for resource enhancement)

4. Qualifying Criteria:

1. Minimum to qualify

• Project meets or exceeds all permit conditions. Projects may be nominated within one year of the completion of: 1) construction for General Authorizations, or 2) all permit monitoring for Individual Permits.
• Project is not subject of an unresolved enforcement action.

2. Selection Criteria

• Improvements to wetland functions. Natural resources benefit and increased values to landowner, watershed, economy or community.
• Innovative concepts/creative use of materials.
• Community involvement/partnerships and stewardship-long-term commitment in evidence.
• Evidence that avoidance and/or minimization was part of project design.