ASLA 2015 Annual Meeting and EXPO

Five Essentials for Riparian and Wetland Restoration Success Presenters

Lisa Nabor Cowan, ASLA, Studioverde www.StudioVerdeLandscape.com

Davie Biagi, ASLA, Landscape Consultants, LLC

www.landscapeconsultantshq.com

Learning Objectives: • Clarify the role of landscape architects on the ecological restoration team • Understand appropriate goals for restoration projects • Identify key components that can affect project success • Learn the critical components for vegetative restoration plans to create sustainable mitigation plant communities • Get tips for efficient and successful planting and monitoring methodologies • Gain insights into networking with other restoration disciplines

ASLA 2015 Annual Meeting and EXPO

Five Essentials for Riparian and Wetland Restoration Success Presentation Outline:

1. Introduction 2. Terminology- Wetland and Riparian Mitigation Ecosystem Types and Methods 3. Challenges

Essential # 1: Getting In and Staying in the Room: LA’s can add significant value from beginning to end 1. Planning, Design, Construction Documents, Construction Management

i. Ask the right questions and problem solve construction feasibility ii. Identify and define plant performance metrics and efficiencies iii. Guide design developments and construction document production v. Embrace specifications and estimates vi. Lead during the construction phase; This is landscape construction, after all! 2. Prequalification, Teaming i. Get prequalified for state + municipal projects or roadside projects ii. Get involved in road project bidding alliances Essential #2: Slopes and Soils: 1. Slopes:

i. Wider flatter buffers (rights-of-way and areas around restoration zone). ii. Slopes: 4:1 or flatter is ideal - TRB research iii. When erosion control blankets are required, its difficult to plant seedlings

iv. Seed mixes wash away on steep slopes v. Steep slopes are difficult and dangerous to walk vi. Trees tend to be less stable vii. Tips for unavoidably steep slopes 2. Soils: i. LA: Lead and partner on:

a. construction access and minimizing soil impacts b. erosion control c. grading methods d. post project access

ASLA 2015 Annual Meeting and EXPO

Five Essentials for Riparian and Wetland Restoration Success

Essential #3: Plantings: Less Expensive and Streamlined Ecological Re-vegetation Methods 1. Methods: Wetland

i. “Jumpstarting” Pioneer + Climax plant community mixes ii. Plant groups + shrub group massing iii. Mulch? Understand level of potential plant and invasive competition + options iv. Dormant seeding v. Multi-year Plant Guarantee

2. Methods: Riparian i. Templates cause issues - Examples ii. Mimic nearby native volunteers/species from ecological survey iii. New constructions sites vs. mature wetland and stream buffer areas. iv. Multitrophic landscapes v. Riparian Seed Mixes- mix warm and cool season grasses. vii. Seedlings vs container grown viii. Plan on wildlife damage to plantings-Vexar tubes, fencing Essential #4: Pre-Bid + Pre-Construction Meetings + Understanding Construction Contract Interactions 1. Pre-Bid – Bidder attendance required - Landscape subcontractor, not only the site/general contractor. 2. Pre-Construction – Bidder attendance required. Landscape subcontractor i. Review highlights and most important aspects of notes and specs. ii. Highlight critical methodologies and contractor constraints. iii. Ask questions about equipment, lead personnel on site, crew and equipment 3. Understanding Construction Contract Interactions i. Consistency: Stick to the specs and drawings. Avoid ad hoc field changes. ii. Relationship with compliance/agency representatives. Emphasize shared goals iii. Roles: Field inspection engineer, construction supervisor, LA, etc. iv. Build connections with the other parties at these meetings 1. Offer help early interpreting contract information 2. Offer or require staking/layout of plants 3. Offer help in conflict resolution

ASLA 2015 Annual Meeting and EXPO

Five Essentials for Riparian and Wetland Restoration Success

Essential #5: The most important tips for on-site construction oversight 1. Wetland i. Construction Documents should include “Restoration Specialist” ii. Clearing + minimizing impacts 1. Enforce limits access roads and laydown areas. 2. Responsible re-use of on-site cleared materials iii. Grading-Soil compaction happens in the field and is one major cause of failures iv. Planting-Simplify plant layout methods. v. Monitoring/Enforcement 2. Riparian i. Clearing + Tree Protection 1. Put orange protective fencing beyond the drip line of trees 2. Install fencing before clearing starts. 3. Minimize soil disturbance for seeding, Don’t wake up invasives. 4. Take photographs at the pre-construction meeting. ii. Grading iii. Plant Installation: Adapting construction schedule to right planting season iv Monitoring/Enforcement – 1. Field inspection engineers provided enforcement. a. Replanting + Reseeding examples b.Trust and support for inspection team. keep everyone in the loop. vi. Maintenance – Contractor is responsible for a two full growing seasons. 1. Maintenance must include invasive control. 2. New seedlings may require supplemental watering.

ASLA 2015 Annual Meeting and EXPO

Five Essentials for Riparian and Wetland Restoration Success Critical Roles for Landscape Architects Summary and Checklist: Lisa Cowan

Team Builder/Coordinator • Integration of details and ideas from all the other disciplines and stakeholders. • Define clear, practical goals - critical for restoration projects Graphic representation • Create images and plans that help the other project team members see, respond to, understand, and design the

complete program • Make visuals for other stakeholders (public, permitting agencies, clients, etc.) for engagement and support of the

project Planning + Permitting • Use content and visual communication tools to develop and define reasonable objectives and communicate to

permitting agencies Design Phase • Address the mechanics of ecosystems, shaping the land, construction phasing, low impact construction

methodologies, build in flexibility and adaptive strategies, reduce costs and change orders. • Increase the community value and appreciation of a project through well designed access, interpretation, and

views of the project. Construction document preparation • Produce clear, organized and concise construction drawings are critical for appropriate bid as well as a guide for

construction: • Clearly demarcated preservation areas and haul routes • Important grading details • Notes to define critical constraints and requirements – ex. low ground pressure equipment, planting and

seeding dates (that recognize potential for seasonal delays). Construction document preparation (Cont’d) • Understand specifications are critical for bidding information as well as construction:

• Soil salvage, handling, amendments • Plant & seeding requirements

ASLA 2015 Annual Meeting and EXPO

Five Essentials for Riparian and Wetland Restoration Success

Critical Roles for Landscape Architects Summary and Checklist: Lisa Cowan Include Construction Coordination, Oversight, and Management in Construction Documents!!!! • Require pre-bid meetings to communicate important details for contractor clarification • Pre-construction meeting – address critical requirements and constraints and partner on problem

solving. • Plan for strategic field oversight (monitoring): site layout of important features (access roads,

stockpile areas, etc.) soil materials inspections, grading process (full time), plant reviews and layout. • Long term management: Create a maintenance plan with critical permitting and performance goals,

site constraints (ex. use of herbicides allowed?), and key contact information Construction Phase: Planning and design for post-construction monitoring and maintenance: • Install post-construction monitoring measures during construction phase (flagging, monitoring wells,

etc) • Create plant layouts that are easy to locate and monitor, and balance the creation of appropriate

plant communities • Create conditions that minimize the need for watering, weeding and maintenance (mulch, materials

certification to eliminate weed seeds and invasive plants

ASLA 2015 Annual Meeting and EXPO

Five Essentials for Riparian and Wetland Restoration Success Recommendations: Davie Biagi

The Restoration Team and Communication • Look for mentors and provide mentorship • Establish an eco-restoration team and speak up in meetings to address needs • Build communication with field inspection engineers early in the design process Specifications and Contracts with “Open-source” Instructions, Clear Roles, and Strong Enforcement • Include design of mitigation plans and planting cost estimates in the contract Scope of Services • Use performance-based special provisions • Include a maintenance work plan in the specs • Enforce the contract words Design • Visit the site – no templates • Establish planting zones that accommodate clear zone and utility easements • Provide typical cross sections and show individual seedlings and delineation of seeded areas on plans Grading and Clearing • Keep slopes as flat as possible for good plant establishment to avoid structural BMPs • Preserve existing trees

• Implement tree surveys • Draw detailed grading plans • Use protection fencing keep clearing contractors and equipment away from tree root drip zones

Cost-conscious Vegetative Plans • Establish a multitrophic, layered mix of plants:

• Choose riparian seed mixes for full sun, both dry and wet sites, both cool and warm-season • Plant bare root seedlings during the dormant season

• Address invasive species issues • Choose pioneer species that mimic nearby volunteers Healthy Plant Establishment, Self-sustaining Growth, Ease of Maintenance • Offer help and contact information for the field inspection engineer • Provide plain-language instructions of technical specifications for inspectors • Back up the field inspection engineer when issues with the contractor happen • Provide good monitoring and enforcement = success

ASLA 2015 Annual Meeting and EXPO

Five Essentials for Riparian and Wetland Restoration Success Guidance/framework documents:

Society for Ecological Restoration International Primer on Ecological Restoration (2004) https://www.ser.org/resources/resources-detail-view/ser-international-primer-on-ecological-restoration ASLA LATIS Successful Ecological Restoration. Lee R. Skabelund, G.M. Kondolf, Craig W. Johnson, and Allegra Bukojemsky (2008) http://www.asla.org/Latis.aspx?id=1064 Architects of the Swamp. Carey, John, 2013. Scientific American. 2013. December issue, 74-79. The Myths of Restoration Ecology.Hilderbrand, R.H., Watts, A.C., & Randle, A.M. (2005). Ecology and Society. 10(1): 19. http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol10/iss1/art19/ Reestablishing Groundwater and Surface Water Connections in Stream Restoration. Arthur C. Parola, Jr. & Chandra Hansen. (Spring/Summer 2011). Sustain, 24:2-7. The Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development. Floodplain Restoration: Basics, Benefits, and Practical Approaches. Mark A. Gutshall & Ward L. Oberholtzer, (Spring/Summer 2011). Sustain, 24:14-23. The Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development More technical and specific books and articles: Society for Ecological Restoration International Primer on Ecological Restoration, Second Edition; Principles, Values, and Structure of an Emerging Profession. Andre F. Clewell and James Aronson (2013) http://islandpress.org/ecological-restoration-second-edition Wetland Creation and Restoration: The Status of the Science. Kusler, J. & Kentula, M. (eds) (1990) http://islandpress.org/wetland-creation-and-restoration

ASLA 2015 Annual Meeting and EXPO

Five Essentials for Riparian and Wetland Restoration Success Resources and Links:

IECA—International Erosion Control Association http://www.ieca.org/education/ Industry experts provide educational events for members. Topics include stormwater and MS4 management and erosion control ASWM—Association of State Wetland Managers webinar series: Improving Wetland Restoration Success Project http://www.aswm.org/aswm/aswm-webinarscalls/6773-improving-wetland-restoration-success-project A series of helpful solutions for successful restoration projects, with webinars focusing on different types of wetlands and general methods of measuring and obtaining sustained, positive outcomes TRB—Transportation Research Board http://www.trb.org/AboutTRB/ResourcesandDatabases.aspx A place to find webinars and research results through keyword research. FHWA—Federal Highway Administration http://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/ecological/ImplementingEcoLogicalApproach/Webinar_Series.asp Newsletters and webinars related to environmental mitigation; Eco-Logical initiative to integrate infrastructure development with conservation planning EPD—Georgia Environmental Protection Division https://epd.georgia.gov/sites/epd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/Guidelines_Streambank_Restoration_GSWCC_Revised_2000.pdf Guidelines for Streambank Restoration GSWCC—Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control http://gaswcc.georgia.gov/sites/gaswcc.georgia.gov/files/Manual_for_Erosion_and_Sediment_Control_in_Georgia_Sixth_Edition_2014%28rev2%29.pdf

ASLA 2015 Annual Meeting and EXPO

Five Essentials for Riparian and Wetland Restoration Success

Technical and Specific Books and Articles: General landscape and mitigation planting design guidance http://landscapeconsultantshq.com/# Information about stream mitigation and roadside design The Advanced Guide to Environmental Mitigation Planting; Healing Disturbed Sites http://landscapeconsultantshq.com/products/advanced-guide-environmental-mitigation-planting#overlay-context= A draft compilation of practical information about restoration planting beyond simple recommendations for vegetative restoration options California Riparian Habitat Restoration Handbook http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/watershedportal/InformationResources/Documents/Restoration_Handbook_Final_Dec09.pdf Restoration examples where irrigation and chemical weed control are a part of the process US Army Corps of Engineers http://rsgisias.crrel.usace.army.mil/NWPL/ 2014 National Wetland Plant List GDOT—Georgia Department of Transportation http://www.dot.ga.gov/PartnerSmart/Business/Source/specs/DOT2013.pdf GDOT Standard Specifications 700-Grassing, 701-Wildflower Seeding, 702-Vine, Shrub, and Tree Planting Sections; http://www.dot.ga.gov/BS/Programs/Landscapes Typical roadside landscape requirements and guidance

ASLA 2015 Annual Meeting and EXPO Images Courtesy of Davie Biagi, ASLA Landscape Consultants, LLC

ASLA 2015 Annual Meeting and EXPO

Plan and Notes Courtesy of Lisa Cowan, ASLA, Studioverde