Coastal Resiliency Along Neshaminy Creek for Creating, Enhancing and Preserving Former Wetlands at Abandoned and Degraded Jack’s Marina
Presented by: Sachin Apte, P.E. Louis Berger Co-Authors: Peg McBrien, P.E. Louis Berger Lisa Magee, PRPA
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Jack’s Marina Compensatory Wetland Mitigation
Aerial View of Site
• Wetland, Open Water and Sensitive Species Mitigation for Southport Marine Terminal Project
• Philadelphia Regional Port Authority is primary client
• Protection and enhancement of Pennsylvania’s coastal resources and fostering sustainable development
• Louis Berger and AP Construction Design-Build Team
• Permits from US Army Corps of Engineers, PADEP, PADCNR, Bucks County Cons. District and PA Fish & Boat Commission
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Abandoned and Degraded Jack’s Marina Site
• 35 acre site purchased by PRPA for compensatory wetland mitigation
• Much of site formerly dredged/filled for recreational marina
• Existing freshwater tidal wetlands contain invasive species
• Shoreline stabilization required for coastal resiliency
• Unsafe public access
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Louis Berger Preliminary Field Investigations
Prior to actual construction
• Baseline design studies for habitat restoration
• Detailed soil analyses for material disposal offsite
• Plant and wildlife surveys • Wetland delineation and
bio-benchmark survey • Topographic, bathymetric
surveys verification • Permitting requirements
for state, federal and local agencies for compliance
• Construction plan sets
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Design/Build Team- Task Force out to work Initial Clearing of Site
• Re-establishment of 11.52 acres of tidal freshwater wetland and mudflat
• Enhancement of 13.65 acres of tidal wetland by removal of invasive species and debris
• Establishment of 3.29 acres of SAV within former boat basins
• Creation of 0.45 acres of red belly turtle nesting habitat (PA threatened species)
• Creation of 4.26 acres of upland buffer.
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Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Measures Bucks County E&S Permit
• Isolate and protect existing wetlands with super silt fence
• Stabilized construction entrance for material disposal traffic at site
• Silt fence around perimeter of site boundary
• Installation of temporary sheet pile and turbidity barriers for water control during dredging
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Rescuing Fish & Red Belly Turtles from Basins PAFBC Permit Compliance
• Threatened Species - Red Belly Turtles
• Fish relocated from the work area during dewatering
• Extra care taken for native bird species relocation during construction
• Other wildlife carefully kept away from entering construction site.
LOCATION:
CLIENT:
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• Excavation and grading of the south basin.
• PADEP site visit to oversee construction progress at project site
• Surveyor for collecting as-built grades information
South Basin Construction
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Refurbished public access trail Reintroduction of public access
• Former trail to fishing pier refurbished
• Fishing pier completely reconstructed
• Ease of access for nearby residents and fishing enthusiasts
• Walkway provides access for emergency vehicles with turnaround area
• Walkway provides expansive views of restored & enhanced wetlands
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Rebuilt fishing pier platform
Enhancing the waterfront
• Existing fishing pier structure rebuilt
• Structural analysis performed to develop cost effective pier design
• ADA compliant path and pier access
• Low maintenance metal fence provided around fishing pier
• Provides views of south basin, turtle nesting habitat and wetland
LOCATION:
CLIENT:
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• Excavation and Grading of the upland slope.
• North basin grading to create more open water
• Minimal dewatering for north basin to excavate perimeter grades
Upland Slope Construction
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Installation of E&S measures & turtle basking structures Taking care of wildlife
• Enhancing turtle habitat in deepened and widened south basin
• Excavation around south basin slope tor reconnecting restored and existing wetlands
• Wildlife returning to project site during construction
• Upland slope erosion control matting and seeding operation
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Planting Intertidal wetland & scrub shrub vegetation Creation of new wetlands
• Spatterdock planted from elevation 0 to 2
• Pickerelweed, Sweetflag, Taperleaf water horehound and duck potato from elevation 2.0 to 3.5
• Black willow, smooth alder and buttonbush from elevation 3.5 to 4.0
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Excavation of waste/disposal Piece of history uncovered
• Newspapers dating as back to 1947
• Debris varying from railroad ties, tires, trash, mattresses, old concrete pipes etc.
• Depth and volume of excavated material required mechanical onsite separation
• Special screening equipment bought onsite to separate material for proper offsite .
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Permitting Agencies site visit to monitor compliance
Project found to be compliant
• USACOE, PADEP And PRPA site visits to monitor progress
• Recommendations were kindly provided by the permitting agencies to stay within permit compliance
• Agency representatives walked entire site within keen interest in latest updates to schedules
• Coordination meetings to tackle key issues during construction progress
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State Endangered Species special attention Specially design habitats
• Sand brought in for red belly turtle nesting habitat
• Special attention given for in-water zones for endangered species
• Rip-rap stone protection for nesting mounds
• Osprey nest platform installation
• Submerged aquatic vegetation transplanted from Southport impact site to Jack’s Marina mitigation site
LOCATION:
CLIENT:
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• Interpretive signage designed by sub consultant to be installed this spring on fishing pier
• Warning sign of shallow obstructions at south basin for boaters
Interpretive & Warning Signs
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Site status before winter 2014 Site construction complete
• All excavation/disposal and slope stabilization complete
• Erosion control measures in place before winter season
• Keeping fingers crossed for site to withstand harsh winter season
• Remaining planting and slope stabilization to be completed in spring 2015
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Spring 2015 site visit-Monitoring Site restoration complete
• 3 to 5 years of performance monitoring as per permit compliance requirements
• Adaptive management goals to be met
• Achieve waterfront development goals
• Site will be transferred to Neshaminy Creek State park system
Questions?