| Stream and River Assessments |
| Wetland Delineations and Assessments |
| Wetland Hydrology and Monitoring |
| Abandoned Mine Reclamation/Restoration |
| Environmental Permitting |
| Education and Outreach |
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In 1997, Aquascape was retained by Quality Aggregates, Inc. to conduct a field investigation and prepare the environmental documentation portion of a surface mining permit application. The project involved the location and delineation of all wetland and water resources within the permit boundary and the completion of the necessary permit module. A field investigation was conducted and all boundaries were delineated and verified by a PA DEP jurisdictional determination. Direct and indirect wetland impacts were identified and addressed in the permit application. Concerns were raised by the PA DEP regarding potential unidentified indirect impacts to the wetlands from the proposed mining activities. Aquascape proposed to conduct a comprehensive monitoring strategy to satisfy DEP concerns. A comprehensive monitoring plan that incorporated the identification of appropriate site-specific hydrologic and vegetation indicators was designed and approved.
Slotted groundwater monitoring wells were installed and their locations surveyed. During the two years prior to mining, these wells were monitored weekly and the collected data was used to develop a hydrograph representing "normal" hydrologic conditions. With ongoing monitoring and this baseline data, any unusual hydrologic fluctuations that occurred during mining would be identifiable. The prepared remediation plan called for the construction of a sediment pond to provide for discharges to the adjacent wetland, should they become necessary. This eliminated the potential for unanticipated indirect wetland impacts and possible violations.
Baseline data on the health, vigor, density, and composition of wetland vegetation was also compiled. This data allows for the comparison of pre- and during mining vegetation conditions.
Utilization of appropriate hydrologic and vegetative monitoring techniques led to the development of a successful mitigation proposal, which allowed the Fisher Mine to be permitted and mined without unforeseen mining related environmental impacts. A significant portion of the mitigation proposal was the design of a mitigation wetland, which possesses a similar configuration to the sediment pond and will discharge to the existing adjacent wetland. The mitigation wetland is currently undergoing construction, which is being supervised by Aquascape. Grades are being maintained to ensure the area and capacity of the mitigation design are met, as well as to ensure the incorporation of the design features that will improve vegetative establishment and increase biodiversity.
Aquascape was retained to supervise construction and conduct monitoring to ensure the success of a mitigation wetland at an existing landfill operated by R&A Bender, Inc. Elevations were monitored throughout construction, and erosion and sedimentation control measures were installed.
Monitoring events have been conducted following the construction of the wetland replacement area in Fall 1997. Permit conditions require the monitoring of the replacement wetland at 6 months, 12 months, and every year thereafter for a period of five years. The first monitoring event, conducted in Spring 1998, evaluated vegetation success, hydrology, and habitat utilization by invertebrates and vertebrates. The monitoring event provided a characterization of the wetland functions and facilitated a comparison of the existing wetland functions with the functions as stated in the wetland mitigation report. Upon analysis of the wetland, recommendations regarding vegetative establishment, erosion control, and habitat creation were made to ensure compliance with the mitigation requirements. Recommendations included the strategic placement of a soil berm and enhancements to the inlet to prevent high flows, erosion, and sedimentation. Placement of woody debris was also suggested to provide additional wildlife habitat.
Subsequent monitoring events were conducted in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001. The monitoring events of 1998 and 1999 consisted of the evaluation of vegetation, hydrology, and soil characteristics consistent with those used in the delineation of wetland areas. The wetland replacement area continued to exhibit the problems associated with high flow velocities identified during the initial monitoring and the resulting sedimentation. A field meeting with the representatives of the client and DEP in Fall 1999 reviewed the factors that had prevented the mitigation wetland from achieving stated goals. Remedial measures suggested in previous monitoring reports were discussed and approved by the DEP. The wetland replacement area was subsequently regraded to provide microtopographic relief, and a high organic content soil amendment was incorporated into the wetland substrate. Seeding, mulching, and planting of seedlings were also conducted to facilitate the establishment of a wetland plant community.
In the fall of 2000 and 2001, monitoring events were conducted that included a functional assessment in addition to the previous evaluations of hydrology, soils, and vegetation. Following the correction of the sources of the high velocity flows through the wetland, significant improvements in vegetative establishment and wildlife utilization have been documented. It is anticipated that the Spring 2002 monitoring event will provide documentation that will demonstrate the successful establishment of the replacement wetland fulfilling the specific mitigation goals and special permit conditions.
| Aquascape | ||||||
| Wetland and Environmental Services Contact Dave Jessloski |
200 Neville Road | Phone: (724) 458-6610 | aquascape@aquascape-env.com | |||
| Neville Island , PA 15225 | Fax: (412) 777-6684 | www.aquascape-env.com | ||||