Proposed Wetland Creation Area
- Cooperative effort between The Nature Conservancy, The Army Corps or Engineers, and the landowner
- Entire 119-acre property donated to the TNC to be placed in a permanent conservation easement
- The project broke ground in January 2009 and is the largest Aquatic Trust Fund project to undergo construction to date
- 5,347 LF of stream restoration on Bolling Branch (a tributary of Goose Creek, a State scenic waterway)
- 2,285 LF of headwater intermittent stream restoration (Bolling Branch tributaries)
- 5.2 acres of wetland/open water creation
- 1.2 acres of wetland enhancement
- 33.3 acres of riparian buffer restoration
- Remainder of property will be managed for wildlife habitat
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In December 2007, WEG was awarded part of a multi-million dollar stream and wetland restoration project located in Fauquier County, Virginia. The project is being 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 for the landowner and then evaluated various funding options – ultimately working with multiple agencies to secure funding for the project. The property owner placed an easement on the entire 119-acre property to TNC as part of the agreement.
The project, which will be managed out of the Williamsburg office, includes a total of approximately 7,632 LF of stream restoration. Bolling Branch, which accounts for approximately 5,347 LF of the restoration, incorporates Priority I and II restoration activities. Portions of Bolling Branch will be 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 will increase survivability, accelerate aquatic and terrestrial habitat and provide greater root density for bank stabilization. The Goose Creek (Bluewildlife) project also includes approximately 5.2 acres of open water and wetland creation and 1.2 acres of wetland enhancement.
One of the main goals of the project is to improve water quality and aquatic habitat, as well as restore riparian wildlife corridors throughout the property. In support of this goal, WEG also completed landscape architecture tasks around onsite buildings and developed a Reforestation and Land Management Plan, which will achieve comprehensive stream, wetland, and upland management goals.
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