Chapter 2 Section 2-04 Wetlands
1 2013 DEC
Section 2-04 WETLANDS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................3 General .........................................................................................................3 Federal Law .................................................................................................3 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ....................................................................3 Design Responsibilities ................................................................................3 Progressive Order of Design ........................................................................3 Permit Types ................................................................................................3
PRELIMINARY WETLAND SURVEYS ..............................................................4
General .........................................................................................................4 Existing Wetland Boundaries ......................................................................4 Map Reference File ......................................................................................5 Field Surveys ...............................................................................................5
IMPACTS MUST BE AVOIDED AND/OR MINIMIZED FIRST ........................5
General .........................................................................................................5 Limits of Construction .................................................................................6 Shift Centerline Away From Wetland .........................................................6 Lower Grade to Decrease Fill Area .............................................................6 Raise Grade to Eliminate Ditch ...................................................................7 Wetland Disturbance ....................................................................................7 Steepen Fill Slopes .......................................................................................8 Barn Roof Section with Steep Slopes ..........................................................8 Use Guardrail ...............................................................................................9 Geogrid Reinforced Slopes ..........................................................................9 Retaining Wall ...........................................................................................10 Bridge Structure .........................................................................................10
WETLAND IMPACTS ON PLAN SHEETS........................................................11
General .......................................................................................................11 Temporary Impacts ....................................................................................11 Impacts to Waters of U.S. ..........................................................................12 Exhibit 11, Wetland Impact Details ...........................................................13 Exhibit 12, Temporary Impacts .................................................................14 Wetland Impact Summary .........................................................................15 Allowable Limits of Disturbance ...............................................................15
MITIGATION SITE SELECTION .......................................................................15
General .......................................................................................................15 Hydrologically and Hydraulically Acceptable ...........................................15
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Passive Water .............................................................................................16 Managed Water ..........................................................................................16 Adequate Size ............................................................................................16 Acceptable Conditions ...............................................................................17 Landowner Permission...............................................................................17 Site Selection to Avoid Utilities ................................................................17 Cultural and Species Clearance .................................................................17 Combine With Borrow Area ......................................................................18
MITIGATION AREA DESIGN ............................................................................18
General .......................................................................................................18 Mapping .....................................................................................................18 Plan and Profile ..........................................................................................18 Excavation Quantities ................................................................................19
MITIGATION AREA DRAWINGS .....................................................................19
Plan View Drawings Criteria .....................................................................19 Profile and Cross Sections .........................................................................20 Exhibit 14, Mitigation Area Plan View .....................................................21 Exhibit 15, Mitigation Area Plan View .....................................................22 Exhibit 16, Profile and Cross Section View ..............................................23
CONTRACT PLANS SUMMARY AND SPECIAL PROVISION .....................24 Summary and Bill of Materials for Wetland Construction ........................24
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INTRODUCTION
WETLANDS
General: Any government agency must follow Federal law on any action that utilizes Federal funds, is located on Federal land, or requires a Federal permit. Federal law as it applies to wetlands is described in the following documentation:
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes a program to regulate the discharge of fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands.
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the codification of the general and permanent rules and regulations (sometimes called administrative law) published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the federal government of the United States. Title 33 is the portion of the CFR that governs Navigation and Navigable Waters within the United States.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) is the Federal resource agency responsible for enforcing the Section 404 provisions. Section 404 requires a permit before significant amounts of fill material may be discharged into waters of the United States.
Through its regulatory program, the COE ensures that any environmental impact on aquatic resources from construction projects is avoided, minimized, or mitigated supporting the national, and FHWA, goal of “no overall net loss” of wetlands. For permitted activities that result in unavoidable losses, the COE requires replacement wetlands to offset those losses.
During plan development, responsibilities are split between Environmental Services and Project Development for addressing any wetland problems that may be present. Project Development is responsible for the design, details, exhibits, and estimated quantities for the contract plans. Environmental Services is responsible for the wetland delineations, formal permit application and coordination with the COE, and consults with Project Development on wetland mitigation designs.
During road design, the progressive order to address the wetland impacts within a project are: 1. Avoidance, 2. Minimization, and if needed, 3. Mitigation. The design process cannot skip over avoidance or minimization and go directly to mitigation; each step must be analyzed and documented in the design reports for COE permit purposes.
Different permits are applied for depending on the type of wetland and amount of impact. The types of permits are Nationwide or Individual Permit. The Department is able to utilize various Nationwide Permits (NWP) depending on the amount of wetland/waters of U.S. (WUS) impacts and the type of environmental document used for a specific project. Nationwide Permits average
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about 2-4 months for review & processing from the COE (after receipt of all applicable information) and are generally valid for 2 years after issuance. Each permit is issued with a specific expiration date, however, if a project has been “PS&E’d” before that date the COE provides an additional year for completion of the authorized wetland/WUS impacts. Amendments to COE permits may require as much review time as the original permit submittal.
For WYDOT projects with a large amount of impacts or that require a high end environmental document and do not qualify for Nationwide Permits, the Department must obtain an Individual Permit
(IP) from the COE. IP’s are subject to a 30-day Public Notice requirement and receive substantially greater review than NWP’s. Accordingly, IP’s often result in a review period of 8 months, or longer, by the COE. IP’s have variable expiration dates, specific to each permit.
PRELIMINARY WETLAND SURVEYS
General: The term “wetland” refers specifically to areas inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands must meet three basic criteria: 1) a predominance of hydrophytic ("water-loving") vegetation, 2) hydric (anaerobic) soils, and 3) hydrology (periodically flooded and/or saturated soils). Many varieties of wetlands occur in Wyoming, including seasonally flooded basins, freshwater marshes, saline marshes, wet meadows, riverine-fringe wetlands, playas, forested wetlands, shrub swamps and very rarely, bogs and fens. Less than 3 percent of the surface area of Wyoming currently qualifies as "wetland".
The Environmental Services representative will take pictures of any potential wetland areas during the reconnaissance inspection for the project for their use in determining the need for a wetland delineation. If this is not done at the recon, it must be done by the Preliminary Plans inspection in order to not delay the design schedule.
All existing wetland boundaries (or “delineations”) within close proximity to the roadway will need to be identified and shown in a mapping reference file that will be available for the designer’s use.
After Preliminary Plans are issued, Environmental Services or their consultant will delineate the existing wetlands. Delineation work is limited by seasonal conditions, the work cannot be done when there is snow cover, and some of the wetland varieties can only be identified during the growing season. Preliminary Plans should be issued as early in the year as possible.
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Environmental Services’ consultant will annotate the wetland boundaries, waters of the U.S. boundaries, and designate wetland types on paper copies of the Preliminary Plan sheets. The consultant will send the annotated paper copy to Environmental Services who will then map these field delineations on a Microstation file that can be referenced into the roadway plan design file. The naming convention for this file will be ProjectERP#_wus.dgn; the wus designates waters of the U.S. Environmental Services will notify Project Development via email when the map file is completed.
Be aware that there could be changes to the wetland delineations after they have been mapped initially. The COE will review the wetland delineations and provide their comments during the permit application review process and changes may be requested. Wetland delineations are only valid for five years. Environmental Services will arrange to have projects re-delineated as necessary as well as updating the wetland mapping file.
EXHIBIT 1 MAPPED WETLAND AREAS
IMPACTS MUST BE AVOIDED AND/OR MINIMIZED
General: Wetland delineations need to be defined in a mapping reference file before the development of the design for the Grading Plans because of the high potential to affect the majority of road design elements. It is very critical that the
FIRST
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Preliminary Plans are issued in a timely fashion to take advantage of the earliest field season. Otherwise, a project could be delayed a year if Preliminary Plans are issued late in the fall. Consider the time needed for wetland information when setting up the initial project schedule.
Limits of construction for the proposed design need to be examined at all wetland locations to see if impacts exist and if so, to determine the amount of impact. All options should be considered first in an effort to avoid impacting any wetlands, then minimizing impacts as much as practicable, without compromising minimum design standards
• Shift centerline away from wetland: Look at the delineated wetland areas in the mapping in relation to the horizontal alignment of the road and determine if the road centerline could be shifted away from the wetland areas. In open areas, or in cases where a wide highway right of way exists, it may be possible to move away from the wetland without causing other impacts to another resource.
. A combination of techniques may be required to achieve the most effect. If wetlands are impacted, the design should be evaluated in the areas listed below:
BEFORE
AFTER EXHIBIT 2
SHIFT CENTERLINE
• Lower grade to decrease fill area: Lowering the profile gradeline of the road near the wetland should reduce the distance out from the road where the toe of slope hits the terrain. For example, by lowering the grade one foot in an area with a 1V:4H fill slope, the distance away from the road could be reduced by 4 feet. See EXHIBIT 3, LOWER GRADE.
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BEFORE
AFTER EXHIBIT 3
LOWER GRADE
• Raise grade to eliminate ditch: If the road section is in a cut condition, a ditch is established and the corresponding backslope cut to daylight usually increases the impact distance out from the roadway. By raising the grade to eliminate the ditch and backslope cut, the limit of construction can be reduced. Most wetlands usually occur in low areas where fills are more common, but this situation can occur near high terrain areas, where an irrigation ditch is present. Pay special attention to the roadway drainage patterns when lowering grade near wetlands or irrigation canals to ensure drainage flow away from the roadway is maintained. Based on the definitions in the regulations, cuts within a wetland area are considered “disturbance” whereas placing fill material is an “impact”. “Disturbances” are generally considered self-mitigating and therefore do not need to be mitigated. However, the COE must approve all impacts and
BEFORE
disturbances as part of the permit process, so disturbances should also be minimized where possible.
AFTER
EXHIBIT 4 RAISE GRADE
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• Steepen fill slopes (up to 1V:4H): Determine if a steeper fill slope would reduce the impacts compared to the standard fill slope selection based on fill height. Flat slopes 1V:4H or flatter (inside the clear zone) usually do not need road side barriers, but the designer needs to evaluate the situation considering all roadway geometry, curves, steep grades, etc.
EXHIBIT 5 STEEPEN FILL SLOPES
• Add barn roof section with steep slopes (1V:2H): In high fill situations, the construction limit distance may be reduced by using a barn roof safety section with steeper fill slopes outside the clear zone. Trial and error with the slope selection by the designer will be required to determine which method best fits each situation.
EXHIBIT 6 ADD BARN ROOF SECTION
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• Use guardrail with no barn roof and steep slopes (1V:2H): Certain situations may call for the use of guardrail and 1V:2H slopes behind the rail. Evaluate the flared end treatment areas so as not to cause impacts due to additional grading in the widened end treatment area, additional rail lengths may be necessary. Remember that guardrail is a hazard in itself so should be evaluated carefully.
EXHIBIT 7
USE GUARDRAIL
• Geogrid reinforced slopes (1V:1H typical): Slopes as steep as 1V:1H or even ¾V:1H in certain areas are possible with engineered geogrid reinforcement design. This type of slope will require geotechnical investigations and design input from the Geology Program for each specific location. Guardrail will also be required to protect the steep fill areas. This option could add significant cost to the project. Slopes should transition smoothly in and out of these steep areas to avoid abrupt changes to the slope selection at the ends of the reinforced fill.
EXHIBIT 8 GEOGRID SLOPE
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• Retaining wall: Retaining walls can sometimes be used to avoid adjacent
wetlands but are an expensive option. The retaining wall option will require geotechnical investigations from the Geology Program and structural design from the Bridge Program. Adequate foundation design is usually problematic in weak and saturated soil conditions found at wetland sites, which will add cost to the design. The area above the wall footing in the wetland should be shown as an impact. Guardrail or bridge rail, depending on the type and design of the retaining wall, will also be required to protect the drop offs in the retaining wall areas. Avoid abrupt changes to the slope selection at the ends of the retaining walls so there is a smooth transition area.
EXHIBIT 9 RETAINING WALL
• Bridge structure to span wetland, very expensive (last resort): In very extreme situations the department has had to span critically important or high value wetland areas with a bridge structure before the COE would approve the permit. Needless to say, this is very expensive and should be avoided if at all possible. See EXHIBIT 10, BRIDGE STRUCTURE.
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EXHIBIT 10 BRIDGE STRUCTURE
WETLAND IMPACTS ON PLAN SHEETS
General: The delineated wetland areas and calculated impacts from the proposed design should be shown at each location on the Grading Plans and R/W & Engineering Plans. If the wetland designations conflict with other design information, separate detail sheets highlighting the wetland information may be required. Remember, on Individual Permits
Different shades of gray and patterning should be used to distinguish between permanent wetland impacts, temporary wetland impacts and wetland creation areas. “Impact” refers to
(since they require public notice) the COE reduces our 11" x 17" sheets to 8 ½” x 11" sheets for distribution, so ensure they are easy to read when reduced. See EXHIBIT 11, WETLAND IMPACT DETAILS.
fill. Temporary impacts include placing temporary
fill material for detours or structure work. Temporary impacts related to bridge or retaining wall construction includes construction shoring, footing excavation, construction platforms, and cofferdams, which should also include the dewatered area and volume inside the cofferdam. The Bridge Program will provide details and tables for impacts related to structure work. See EXHIBIT 12, TEMPORARY IMPACTS.
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IMPACTS TO WATERS OF U.S.
Impacts due to channel changes in waters of the U.S. (WUS) should reflect new channel length vs. old channel length (i.e. to show the net change in length). Substantial changes in length of pipe crossings and/or existing channels may need to be shown on a detail sheet, if requested by Environmental Services.
When calculating impacts involving channel changes, only areas where the channel is actually covered with fill (permanent or temporary) should be noted as an impact. Segments of the existing channel that are simply cut-off (but not covered with fill) are not shown as an impact; instead such segments are counted as a loss of channel length only.
For calculation of volume for WUS impacts, utilize the mapped WUS boundaries as the width (i.e. bank-to-bank) and make a reasonable guess for the “average” channel depth in the area of impact. Although the WUS area inside the pipe is covered, it is not considered “filled”. Avoid showing toe of slope catch lines across the drainage channel past the pipe outlets or at bridges, to ensure that it’s clear that flow will be maintained after construction.
2101011 26
SHEET 3 OF 7
DETAILS
WETLAND IMPACT
58
6911.59
UIRR 10
TT
T
T
T T W
30"
RC
P
602000
N
25
50000 E
TOP-6915.06
TOP-6914.53
75+
00
80+
00
85+
00
NE SE
SE NE
SECTION 27
T15N R115W
SW NW
SECTION 26
200'
RANCH LLC.
HAMBLIN
RANCH LLC.
HAMBLIN
ANDERSON
NATALIE K.
KENNETH L. AND
WYOMING
OF
STATE PROJ. NO.
NO.
SHEET
SHEETS
TOTAL
T
18' WIRE GATE16' X 7.7' CATTLEGUARD
30' WIRE GATE
2 BW
15" CMP
6010
00
N
25
4950
0 E
6015
00
N
25
4950
0 E
BOARD
JOINT POWERS
BRIDGER VALLEY
NW SE
NE SE
95+
00
100+
00
ANGELA D. PITTS
JOHN PITTS ANDJACK HOLLO
W
AS JOINT TENANTS
TODD RUSSELL DAVIS
AND
CHESTER BRENT DAVIS
7072.91
UIRR 14A
TT
15' WIRE GATE
36"
RC
P
596000
N
596500
N
2548000 E
NW SW
SECTION 34
T15N R115W
NE SW
LOT 1
LOT 4
RANCHETTES
SIMMONS
JANA L. TALBOT
AND
JOHN D.
PATSY ANN O. BIRD
AND
VEARL W. BIRD
IMPACT AREA =0.003 ACRETYPE 2 WET MEADOWSTA. 75+08 - STA. 76+03 RT
IMPACT AREA =0.103 ACRETYPE 2 WET MEADOWSTA. 85+03 - STA. 88+61 LT
IMPACT AREA =0.002 ACRETYPE 2 WET MEADOWSTA. 84+93 - STA. 85+16 RT
IMPACT AREA =0.011 ACRE
TYPE 2 WET MEADOW
STA. 147+70 - STA. 150+33 RT
LENGTH CHANGE =-8.5 FTIMPACT VOLUME =5.4 CYIMPACT AREA =0.002 ACREWATERS OF THE U.S.STA. 98+20 - STA. 98+40 RT
DISTURBANCE AREA =0.198 ACRETYPE 2 WET MEADOWSTA. 75+12 - STA. 83+16 LT
6900
6905.44
UIRR 9AMILE MP 5
G
G
G G
UNION TEL. UNION TEL.
18" R
CP
4 WIRE
TOP-6901.82
TOP-6902.80 90+
00
N
G
G G
2 BW
TOP-6933.64TOP-6931.81
N
4 WIRE
6 BW
6 BW
03-04
TOP-7072.93
TOP-7073.40
TOP-7074.26
TOP-7075.18
150+
00
REES
BLAINE J.
N
Chapter 2
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4 W
etla
nds
13
EXHIBIT 11WETLAND IMPACT DETAILS
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TYPE 6 S
HR
UB S
WA
MP
WATERS O
F T
HE U
S
200+
00
Note:
PROPOSED RIPRAP (TYP)
TYPE 2 WET MEADOWTYPE 2 WET MEADOW
CONSTRUCTION
PROPOSED
COFFER DAM
PIER NO. 1
205+
00
TYPE 6 S
HR
UB S
WA
MP
BRIDGE OVER NORTH PLATTE RIVER
WETLAND IMPACTS
46 56
PROJ. NO.
WYOMING
OF
STATE
NO.
SHEET
SHEETS
TOTAL
N212084
$time$ $date$
$file$
THE U.S. =0.003 ACRE
IMPACT TO WATERS OF
PIER SHAFT- PERMANENT
TO WETLANDS =0.039 ACRE
TEMPORARY IMPACT
WETLANDS =0.019 ACRE
PERMANENT IMPACT TO
WETLANDS =0.030 ACRE
PERMANENT IMPACT TO
WETLANDS =0.058 ACRE
TEMPORARY IMPACT TO
COFFER DAMCRANE ACCESS
an in channel crane access pad to erect the girders.
0.090 acres, 540 cy available to the contractor for
0.169 acres, 1080 cy. These total values include
Total temporary impact to Waters of the U.S. are
=0.169 ACRE
WATERS OF THE U.S.
TEMPORARY IMPACT TO
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EXHIBIT 12TEMPORARY IMPACTS
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Include a table in the plans showing the total of each type of wetlands impacted and a grand total of impacts, including impacts to waters of the U.S.
EXHIBIT 13 WETLAND IMPACT SUMMARY
Wetland impacts should be shown to the nearest 1/1000th of an acre (0.001). Waters of the U.S. should be shown in area to the nearest 0.001 acre, and in volume to the nearest 0.1 CY.
If the total of the proposed impacts exceed the allowable limits of disturbance after all avoidance and minimization options are exhausted, then a mitigation plan will be required. The current threshold of impacted wetlands requiring mitigation for a project = 0.1 acres or more. However, this is subject to change for “high value” wetlands.
MITIGATION SITE SELECTION
General: If it is anticipated that a wetland mitigation site will be required, the site should be selected before the Grading Plans are issued so the proposed site can be identified on the Grading Plans. The Resident Engineer, Environmental Services, and Project Development must work together to select a suitable mitigation site that should meet the following criteria:
1. Hydrologically and Hydraulically acceptable
Environmental Services will coordinate investigations necessary to acquire any needed hydrology data. Adequate and reliable hydrology at the mitigation site is essential for success. Baseline data supporting proposed water supply of a mitigation site is required. The two basic categories of water supply for mitigation sites used are passive and managed. WYDOT only uses managed water supply as a last resort. Basic hydrology information required for each include:
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a. Passive This water supply is dependent on natural groundwater fluctuations, seasonal precipitation and/or overbank flooding with no human management techniques. Groundwater supported mitigation designs need to be correlated to site specific data gathered from the use of piezometers, soils, spring flow data, and/or other site investigation data. Much of this information can be gathered during the delineation of the site. Although several years of groundwater data is preferred, measurement of an average year's peak groundwater level is acceptable. Occasionally, site specific soils data can be used as a surrogate for this data element. The best information is obtained from the relative elevations of nearby or adjacent functional wetlands.
Data is also required to document and justify overbank flooding. This typically involves detailed surveying as well as hydrologic modeling. The anticipated frequency and duration of flooding needs to be specified.
If the mitigation area is to be supported by precipitation, a water budget may be required, including identification of anticipated runoff volumes and evaporation rates.
b. Managed
A managed water supply is a controlled supply system (diversions, canals, ditches, etc.) and typically incorporates the use of impoundment features (berms, dams, dikes, etc.) with water control structures.
This type of mitigation is only applicable at banking or other perpetually mitigated sites. Specific approval and design requirements for this type of design must be obtained from Environmental Services.
This is the least preferred hydrology supply option due to the continual need for human activity to ensure adequate supply to the mitigation site as well as long-term maintenance.
2. Adequate size for proposed mitigation
Mitigation ratios often compound the size needed and increased ratios are usually based on wetland type and/or location of the mitigation site (Environmental Services will provide project specific mitigation ratios).
If impacts are mitigated on the project and in the same drainage area, then the mitigation ratio is usually 1:1. If the impacted wetlands are Type 6
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(shrub swamp), or Type 12 (woody riparian), then the mitigation ratio is usually closer to 1½:1.
If impacts are mitigated off the project or away from the drainage area, then the mitigation ratios could be 1:3 or higher, as directed by the COE.
If out-of-kind or off project mitigation is proposed, justification and COE approval is required. Mitigation sites adjacent to the project and in the same drainage area are always preferred.
3. Acceptable conditions of mitigation site
The mitigation site must be acceptable in terms of location, size, immediate surrounding land use, historic land use, context in relation to watershed, vegetation, soils, and hydrology. A copy of the applicable portion of the USGS Quadrangle and/or National Wetland Inventory map with the site identified on it will be needed by Environmental Services and COE. Aerial photography or Google Earth Image© of the site is also very helpful.
4. Landowner permission or government land concurrence
Agreements are required with the landowner for access, boundary fencing, grazing restrictions until wetland is considered established, etc. Usually a 5-7 year term agreement is used to ensure its establishment.
5. Proposed mitigation does not disturb existing wetlands within the site
If wetlands and other waters of the U.S. are present at the mitigation site, a delineation of these areas is required. Impacts to any existing wetlands at the mitigation site are considered additional project impacts and are not included in the net wetland acreage created at the site. Also avoid impacting any woody and riparian vegetation near the site.
6. Site selection should avoid utilities, irrigation facilities, and other
improvements
The need to relocate or re-build existing facilities will add unnecessary cost to the project.
7. Archeological/Cultural and Sensitive Species clearance needed
All sites will require archeological/cultural survey and sensitive species clearance to be acceptable for mitigation. The proposed site will need to be mapped and the boundaries clearly indicated on a plan sheet for use during the archeological and sensitive species field survey.
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8. Consider combining with borrow area if material removed is suitable
Excavated material could be used for roadway embankment if needed for the project and the material is suitable for road fill. If not usable, excess material will need to be wasted at an approved location. A borrow area can often be contoured to be an acceptable wetland mitigation site.
9. Expand existing wetland away from area being disturbed
If a wetland is being impacted near the roadway, look at enlarging the same wetland in a direction away from the road.
MITIGATION AREA DESIGN
General: Once an adequate site for the mitigation design is selected, Project Development can begin the design in accordance with the following guidelines: Coordination during design between Environmental Services and the Resident Engineer is essential. The Resident Engineer is responsible for the initial site location and grading specific activities; Environmental Services for revegetation recommendations, overall design review and coordination with the COE.
The selected site area will need to be mapped to the same requirements and detail as the project mapping. Request mapping and terrain extension from Photogrammetry & Surveys if needed. Field supplements for utilities, property fences, existing wetland delineations, and other features of the site may also be needed. Land survey information will be required for boundary descriptions for the landowner agreement.
A plan view that includes topographic information (1 or 2 foot contour intervals), roads, trails, structures, property lines, directional arrows, scale, and the exact size and boundaries of existing wetlands and streams, will be required for the permit application.
The overall shape of the mitigation area should appear as a natural wetland area if possible. Avoid long straight sides or square shapes, instead, use a natural curving shape that will blend into the surrounding terrain. Try to daylight back slope cuts as quickly as possible to minimize impacting the existing terrain near the wetland area.
Be aware of drainage flow through the area. Adequate and reliable hydrology at the mitigation site is essential for success. Sometimes it is possible to combine an engineered drainage system detention pond within or adjacent to the mitigation site but consider possible storm events and ensure erosion protection along high flow areas is included in the final design.
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Mitigation sites along streams or rivers should be adjacent to, but not encroach on the channel. It is best to be close enough to share high water events of the stream but far enough away for long term stability. Possible bank armoring (i.e. riprap, bio-engineered ”soft armoring” or river barbs) may be required to keep a meandering river from damaging the newly developed wetland.
The proposed design must meet the mitigation area size requirements in acres. Slight slopes and changes in elevation, or even “steps” provide a variety of conditions for plant establishment.
The bottom excavation of the mitigation area should be at an elevation where it will be mostly wet but not always flooded. Too deep an area that is constantly under water will not re-vegetate properly. The bottom slope should be relatively flat, shallow standing water is desirable.
Proposed muck, if required, and topsoil placement depths in the finished design will need to be known and estimated quantities calculated. Additional borrow areas may be needed to acquire the total material quantity.
Excavation quantities developed from the mitigation area will need to be coordinated with the overall project earthwork. Borrow material may be obtained from the mitigation area if the material is suitable for road embankment. Unclassified excavation, muck excavation, topsoil borrow, and other grading bid items may be used to describe the work.
Coordination with multiple material handling requirements can get complicated, depending on the timing and sequence of adjacent work. For example, the wetland topsoil at the impact areas may need to be excavated, hauled and stored at the mitigation site for later use in the reclamation before any roadway embankment is placed in the impact areas. If the topsoil material cannot be stored at the mitigation site, another temporary site may be needed.
MITIGATION AREA DRAWINGS
- existing and proposed topography at a scale from which accurate determinations relative to hydrology and vegetative community can be readily discerned, one or two foot contours are recommended
Scaled plan view drawings criteria:
- location of stationed baseline, profile and/or cross sections - proposed wetland mitigation location and shape - existing wetland, woody riparian vegetation, and other waters delineation boundaries clearly identified
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- boundary description for temporary construction permit area and permanent easement for wetland only, either station & offset or coordinates
- material storage and spoil disposal areas - variable planting areas, soil erosion and sediment control features, if needed
- location of monitoring wells, piezometers or other hydrology data collection points, etc., if needed
- See EXHIBIT 14 and 15, MITIGATION AREA PLAN VIEW
Scaled profile and/or cross sections criteria:
- show existing and proposed ground surfaces with elevations indicated. Proposed topsoil depths must be specified
- ordinary high water elevation and anticipated groundwater levels, if
available - width, depth, and bottom elevations of water supply ditches and top
elevations and widths of berms, dams, etc., if needed - proposed wetland cover type, if variable - See EXHIBIT 16, PROFILE AND CROSS SECTION VIEW
Mitigation design layout and details should be included with R/W & Engineering Plans or even earlier if grading requirements for the mitigation site are substantial. Discuss design specifics at the plan inspection meetings.
Occasionally, special colored exhibits, computer generated renderings or visualizations of the completed mitigation design may be needed to assist with land owner negotiations and/or agency approval.
N232048 37N232048 37
FL-7956.83
TOPSOIL STORAGE AREA
WETLAND MITIGATION
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FOR
SLOPE OF DRAINAGE
MATCH GRADE AND
SLO
PE O
F DRAIN
AGE
MATC
H G
RADE A
ND
AREA
TOPSOIL STORAGE
E 12384.8643N 41275.6437
CM
P 36 IN
3025+
00
CM
P 36 IN
N
SESW
SECTION 28T 13 N, R 72 W
WYOMING
OF
STATE PROJ. NO.
NO.
SHEET
SHEETS
TOTAL
+50
Due North
PO
T 1
+00.00
5+00
PO
T 7
+00.00
A
B
C
D
E
F
F'
E'
D'
C'
B'
A'
BOUNDARYMITIGATION SLOPE
7930
7940
7940
7950
7950
7950
7960
7960
7960
7970
7970
7980
7990
REFERENCE LINE
SITE 1 BOUNDARYTYPE 2/6 MITIGATION
BOUNDARYMITIGATION SLOPE
SITE 2 BOUNDARYTYPE 2/6 MITIGATION
90º
RANGE FROM 1V:4H TO 1V:10HCUT SLOPES TO TIE TO EXISTING TERRAINRANGE FROM 1V:4H TO 1V:10HCUT SLOPES TO TIE TO EXISTING TERRAIN
DETAILSWETLAND MITIGATION
SHEET 1 OF 3
WETLAND MITIGATION SITE MAP
WETLAND MITIGATION AREA = 0.531 ACREPROPOSED TYPE 2/6
WETLAND IMPACTS AREA = 0.036 ACRETEMPORARY TYPE 2
+00
0.240 ACWETLAND IMPACTSTYPE 2
LEGEND
TYPE 2 WETLAND IMPACTS
TYPE 2 TEMPORARY IMPACTS
TYPE 2/6 WETLAND MITIGATION
TYPE 2 WETLANDEXISTING DRAINAGE &
LEGEND
TYPE 2 WETLAND IMPACTS
TYPE 2 TEMPORARY IMPACTS
TYPE 2/6 WETLAND MITIGATION
TYPE 2 WETLANDEXISTING DRAINAGE &
Chapter 2
Sectio
n 2-0
4 W
etla
nds
EXHIBIT 14
21
MITIGATION AREA PLAN VIEW
2013 D
EC
WETLAND MITIGATION SITE BOUNDARIES
260.0
0' 3
00.0
0'
E 12384.8643
N 41275.6437
TEMP FENCE
WETLAND MITIGATION
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FOR
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
POINT NORTHING EASTING
WETLAND EASEMENT BOUNDARY
BOUNDARY
EASEMENT
WETLAND
41616.4419
41742.5484
41980.8264
42014.7983
41621.9565
41486.8833
41375.4157
41260.5458
12442.7667
12576.5644
12715.1589
12822.0405
12851.9562
12651.8110
12640.8206
12452.1713
3025+
00
N
SESW
SECTION 28
T 13 N, R 72 W
N232048
DETAILSWETLAND MITIGATION
SHEET 3 OF 3
SHAARON B. PARKERJOHN B. PARKER &
39
WYOMING
OF
STATE PROJ. NO.
NO.
SHEET
SHEETS
TOTAL
SITE 2 BOUNDARYTYPE 2/6 MITIGATION
+00
+50
Due North
PO
T 1
+00.00
5+00
BOUNDARYMITIGATION SLOPE
REFERENCE LINE
SITE 1 BOUNDARYTYPE 2/6 MITIGATION
BOUNDARYMITIGATION SLOPE
WETLAND MITIGATION AREA = 0.531 ACREPROPOSED TYPE 2/6
WETLAND IMPACTS AREA = 0.036 ACRETEMPORARY TYPE 2
FENCE TYPE F (WOOD POSTS)
Chapter 2
Sectio
n 2-0
4 W
etla
nds
EXHIBIT 15
22
MITIGATION AREA PLAN VIEW
2013 D
EC
Chapter 2
Sectio
n 2-0
4 W
etla
nds
EXHIBIT 16
23
N232048 38
DETAILSWETLAND MITIGATION
SHEET 2 OF 3
1H : 4V
SECTION C-C' (2+75)
SECTION D-D' (3+75)
SECTION E-E' (4+75)
SECTION F-F' (5+75)
EXISTING GROUND
PROPOSED FINISHED GRADE
BOTTOM OF TOPSOIL GRADE
LEGEND
TEMPORARY IMPACT
7943
7945
7947
7949
7951
7940
7942
7944
7946
7948
7950
7952
7936
7938
7940
7942
7944
7946
7948
7950
7933
7935
7937
7939
7941
7943
7945
7954
7956
7958
7960
7962
7964
25
7947
7949
7951
7953
7955
7957
7959
7961
SECTION A-A' (1+00)
SECTION B-B' (2+00)
0 25 50 75 1005075100
25 0 25 50 75 1005075100125
25 0 25 50 75 1005075
25 0 25 50 75 10050
25 0 25 50 75 10050
25 0 25 50 75 10050
125 150
125
REFE
RE
NC
E LIN
E R
EFE
RE
NC
E LIN
E R
EFE
RE
NC
E LIN
E
REFE
RE
NC
E LIN
E
EXIS
TIN
G
WETL
AN
DLIM
IT
EXIS
TIN
G
WETL
AN
DLIM
IT
EXIS
TIN
G
WETL
AN
DLIM
IT
EXIS
TIN
G
WETL
AN
DLIM
IT
EXIS
TIN
G
WETL
AN
DLIM
IT
EXIS
TIN
G
WETL
AN
DLIM
IT
REFE
RE
NC
E LIN
E
REFE
RE
NC
E LIN
E
WYOMING
OF
STATE PROJ. NO.
NO.
SHEET
SHEETS
TOTAL
EXIS
TIN
G
WETL
AN
DLIM
IT
EXIS
TIN
G
WETL
AN
DLIM
IT
PR
OP
OSED R
OA
D E
MB
AN
KM
EN
T
EXIS
TIN
G
WETL
AN
DLIM
IT
PR
OP
OSED R
OA
D E
MB
AN
KM
EN
T
EXIS
TIN
G
WETL
AN
DLIM
IT
SITE 2
SITE 2
SITE 1
SITE 1 SITE 2
EXIS
TIN
G
WETL
AN
DLIM
IT
EXIS
TIN
G
WETL
AN
DLIM
IT
SITE 1
SITE 1
WETLAND MITIGATION CROSS SECTIONS
PROFILE AND CROSS SECTION VIEW
2013 D
EC
Chapter 2 Section 2-04 Wetlands
24 2013 DEC
CONTRACT PLANS SUMMARY AND SPECIAL PROVISION
Wetland construction is typically summarized in the plans as a lump sum bid item with a bill of materials for quantity information. Excavation and topsoil quantities will need special attention when combined with work elsewhere on the project to avoid doubling up of quantities or missing pay items. See EXHIBIT 17, WETLAND CONSTRUCTION SUMMARY.
Wetland seeding recommendations will be provided by Environmental Services to be included in the Material & Rates Summary. Wetland seeding will be different than the typical dry land seed mix specified for the rest of the project. Proposed vegetation planting recommendations may also include willow rootstock or other woody wetland species not placed by seeding.
The lump sum bid item for wetland construction will require a special provision to detail the specific construction requirements such as material handling, planting instructions, timing restrictions and work coordination. Environmental Services will develop the special provision.
EXHIBIT 17 WETLAND CONSTRUCTION SUMMARY