Donaldson Run Tributary B Stream Restoration Project Update - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Donaldson Run Tributary B Stream Restoration Project Update Donaldson Run Civic Association Meeting April 18, 2012

Donaldson Run watershed Donaldson Run Watershed Boundary Tributary C Taylor School Tributary B Tributary A

‘Big picture’ concepts  Past land use and drainage decisions have severely impacted County streams  Watershed improvements and in-stream restoration efforts are both essential  Urban stream corridor damage must be addressed comprehensively  Stream restoration accomplishes multiple resource management objectives  Neighborhood partnership is essential

Sediment and Nutrients Unrestored Tributary B Restored Tributary A with visibly lower with visibly higher sediment content sediment content

County/Donaldson Run Civic Association Partnership  10+ year partnership  Stream restoration top neighborhood priority  NCAC approved Tributary B funding in December 2007; County Board 2008; DES providing additional funds  Extensive County/DRCA public process: meetings, workshops, stream walks, newsletter articles, park signs, Citizen articles, and other media coverage

KEY PROJECT FACTS: • Approved Neighborhood Conservation Program Project • 1,400 linear feet to Upton street • 26% impervious cover in watershed • Natural channel design approach

Updates from prior design to current (~95%) design  Hydraulic analyses for FEMA permitting underway  Vertical elevation of water main determined; design adjustments in process  Storm pipe drainage inputs  Inspection of pipes completed  Easement process underway  Finalizing design  Advancement of planting plan and invasive plant management strategy  Consideration of construction access, equipment type, future maintenance access

Storm pipe drainage inputs  Verified pipe conditions  Acquiring necessary easements  Incorporating needed repairs/modifications into project design

30” Water Main  Interim work completed to protect exposed pipe last year  Few apparent conflicts with stream restoration design except at stilling basin – design adjustments in process  Considering reinforced streambed crossings for future access to main if needed

Trees  No change in tree impacts from project from 60% designs to current design  One tree removed to protect water main (previously listed as a potential removal)  One tree has fallen (previously listed as a removal)  Project impact: 36 trees>10” diameter, 72 trees overall

Invasive Management & Planting Plan Goals:  To restore forest structure and function  To support recreational use and aesthetics

Kudzu Invasive Plants  85-95% invasive species in the shrub and ground layers  invasive species present on both park and private properties  27 different species

Implications  Invasive management considerable component of the project  Project requires integrated planting and invasive plant removal  4-6 year planting and invasive plant maintenance schedule  Complete removal of invasive species is likely not possible  Most successful if private citizens are involved in invasive management

2011 Invasive Management Actions  Invasive plant removal workdays – spring & fall  Invasive plant workshops  Upshur St - Hosted by Amy White  Stuart St - Hosted by Sarah & Jeffrey Knight  Invasive plant replacement mini-grants  Developed a native plant list for DR homeowners

Future Actions  Spring and fall events - Tributary A & B  Invasive plant workshop(s)? – Tributary A & B  Native plant rescue  Creating a RIP team (Remove Invasive Plants)  Coordination with Arlington Master Naturalists

Planning & Chemical Control  Limited chemical application in 2011  Contract spraying – Summer 2012  Invasive management plan – Tributary A

Invasive Management  “Clean” equipment  Mulch or mats for trees/shrubs  Seed heavily • Protect trees and shrubs (deer) • Focus on stream banks • Target species • Coordinate invasive removal and planting • Timing of control will depend on plant life cycle • Flexible and adaptive • Budget

Planting Plan  Site specific  All plants will be native to Zachary Taylor Park  Planting “zones” to account for habitat changes with elevation and distance from the stream.  Special plantings for sensitive areas  Multi-year to account for invasive control and natural forest succession

Scarlet oak Arrowwood Bluestem goldenrod Quercus coccinea Viburnum dentatum Solidago caesia

Zoned Planting - Example Slope Floodplain

Special Areas – Bare Slopes

Construction methods, equipment, & materials

Smaller materials and equipment

Tree protection techniques, Mats

Next Steps  Finalize design work for storm pipe drainage inputs  Obtain necessary easements  Finalize planting plan and invasive plant management plan  Develop construction access/staging plan  Complete specifications including tree protection plan  Target design completion by fall  Construction schedule still TBD

Tributary A, June 2010 Stream restoration, watershed retrofits, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance, Stormwater Permit and more…. Learn more at: www.arlingtonva.us – search “Donaldson Run.”