What does the Mitigation Hierarchy prioritize?

• A. Restoration of ecosystems after damage.
• B. Offsetting impacts.
• C. Avoidance of impacts from the outset.
• D. Mitigation measures during construction.

Answer: (C)

The Mitigation Hierarchy starts with avoiding harm from the very beginning. Its top priority is preventing impacts from occurring in the first place through careful planning and design. Only if avoidance isn’t possible do you move on to minimizing any remaining effects, then restoring damaged ecosystems, and finally offsetting any unavoidable residual harm. So choosing avoidance of impacts from the outset is the best fit because it reflects the hierarchy’s initial and most preferred action. Restoration and offsets come later in the sequence, and mitigation during construction sits under minimization rather than being the primary focus.