MOUNT VERNON — The City Council gave final approval for Nookachamps LLC’s planned wetland mitigation bank Wednesday.

The 300-acre bank is expected to generate more than 100 wetland credits. The credits will be sold to developers who are required by law to offset wetland destruction on construction sites by protecting wetlands elsewhere, said Community and Economic Development Director Jana Hanson.

Nookachamps LLC’s bank will be located on land along the Skagit River, north of Hoag Road and west of Francis Road, in and near Mount Vernon.

The bank approved Wednesday is not Clear Valley Environmental Farm’s project, which is to be located on Nookachamps Creek and East Fork Nookachamps Creek. That bank has drawn fire from farmland preservation advocates and is currently under appeal.

About 20 acres of Nookachamps LLC’s wetland mitigation bank will come from the city of Mount Vernon. In exchange for the property, Nookachamps LLC will build a public trail and dike. The bank proponent will also maintain the trail for three years and then give the city $20,000 for future maintenance.

Mayor Bud Norris lauded the dike, which he said will be “a great improvement” for residents in the Hoag Road area. “Anytime we get high water, the road is closed off due to water encroaching on it and also people’s property is inundated by water,” he said.

“This has been a lengthy process,” Norris said of the wetland mitigation bank approval and land negotiation process.

Hanson said the project first came before the city in 2004 and that Nookachamps LLC began working on it in 2002.

Also Wednesday, the council accepted Marshbank Construction, Inc.’s roughly $1.5 million bid for the construction of the College Way and Riverside Drive intersection improvement project. The project includes dual left turns in all four directions and right turn pockets in three directions.

Public Works Director Esco Bell said construction will begin as soon as possible and, should the weather cooperate, be done by the end of the year.

Elliott Wilson can be reached at 360-416-2147 or at .