(a) Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of actions. This may be accomplished by selecting a reasonable alternative that does not involve impacts to critical areas or buffer impacts; applying reasonable mitigation measures, such as drainage and erosion control, alternative site planning, and/or using best available technology.

(b) Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation, by using appropriate technology, or by taking affirmative steps to avoid or reduce impacts. This may be accomplished in one of the following methods, or through other methods as deemed appropriate: selecting a reasonable alternative that avoids most critical area impacts; applying reasonable mitigation measures, such as drainage and erosion control, preservation of critically important plants and trees, limitation of access to critical areas, seasonal restrictions on construction activities, phased development, and/or establishment of buffers.

(c) Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environment for unavoidable impacts. This may be done by reestablishing critical area functions and buffers on-site which have been lost by alterations or activities.

(d) Compensating for the impact by replacing, enhancing, or providing substitute resources or environments for unavoidable impacts. This may be done by intentionally creating critical area functions and buffer at another location where none currently exist, improving existing wetlands and wetland buffers at another location, or otherwise providing a substitute wetland resource at another location as compensation for any unavoidable adverse wetland impacts.