Bill > LB590

This bill amends Nebraska state law to authorize the Department of Transportation to establish and operate a mitigation bank or in-lieu fee program specifically designed to address environmental impacts related to threatened or endangered species. The program allows the department to acquire land, enter into cooperative agreements, and create a systematic approach to compensatory mitigation for transportation projects that might negatively affect wildlife habitats. Key provisions include enabling the department to purchase or acquire land for habitat restoration, establish agreements with public or private entities, and create a standardized method for mitigating environmental impacts. The bill aims to streamline permitting processes, increase ecological efficiency, and ensure that when projects impact endangered species habitats, there is a mechanism to replace or enhance those habitats at a fair and reasonable ratio. Additionally, the bill requires that owners of mitigation bank lands pay a sum in lieu of property taxes to the county, similar to existing provisions for wildlife management lands. The overall goal is to provide a more structured and effective approach to environmental conservation when state transportation projects intersect with sensitive ecological areas.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59804