Williamsburg Environmental Group, Inc. (WEG) was awarded part of a multi-million dollar stream and wetland restoration project located in Fauquier County, Virginia. The project was funded by the Virginia Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, which is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). WEG initially completed a feasibility study and then evaluated various funding options – ultimately working with multiple agencies to secure funding. The property owner donated an easement on the entire property to the TNC as part of the agreement.
The project included a total of 6,042 LF of stream restoration. Bolling Branch, which accounts for approximately 3,511 LF of the restoration, incorporated Priority I and II restoration activities. Bolling Branch was restored by creating bankfull benches (dimension), enhancement of meander bends (pattern), and implementing instream structures (crossvanes) for habitat and grade control (profile). Utilization of larger plant materials has resulted in increased survivability of planted species, accelerated habitat (shading) and provided greater root density for bank and floodplain stabilization. The Goose Creek (Bluewildlife) project also includes approximately 4.83 acres of wetland creation, 1.41 acres of wetland enhancement, and 22.55 acres of riparian buffer restoration. Wetland enhancement involved heavy woody plantings to restore vegetative layers of canopy and understory tree and shrub species. Wetland creation involved the establishment of multiple wetland types, including forested, scrub-shrub, and emergent wetlands to increase habitat diversity through the entire restored riparian corridor. Plant selection was greatly tailored to provide cover habitat and food sources for wildlife, particularly for waterfowl species.
One of the main goals of the project is to improve water quality and aquatic habitat, as well as restore upland wildlife habitat within the 119-acre property. In support of this goal, the creation of a Wildlife Management Plan established niche compartments across the property to provide target species with appropriate habitat requirements. WEG also completed landscape architecture tasks around on-site buildings, which when all combined, will achieve comprehensive stream, wetland, and upland management goals. |
