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Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Contact: Environmental Results: 40-acre wetland bank constructed. 200-foot buffer zone of warm season grasses and native wild flowers planted. 15,000 seedlings planted. |
Protection & Restoration Advance Wetland Compensation Proves Timely and Cost Effective
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT), partnering with other government and corporate entities, formed the Louie-Beach Wetland Team to coordinate the construction of wetland compensation sites in advance of future transportation projects that involve unavoidable wetland impacts. Building in advance provides a high quality wetland resource that is fully vegetated before the transportation project impacts wetlands, resulting in lower costs and more timely permit decisions. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission donated nearly 30 acres of land for PENNDOT to use for the project. The Wetland Team then discovered that part of their design was on land owned by the New Enterprise Stone & Lime Company. Using land on New Enterprise's property would allow for a larger, more effective wetland, so the team approached New Enterprise about partnering in the project. The resulting team effort afforded the larger 40-acre wetland that exists today. Total cost for creating the wetland site was approximately $120,000, averaging about $3,000 per acre. Average costs per acre are often in the $50,000 to $100,000 range. These savings are a direct result of diligent planning, teamwork and having forged mutually beneficial partnerships up front. The Wetland Team also secured local community support by hosting a wetland planting day on Arbor Day 2001. The team worked with volunteers from local schools, conservation groups and businesses to plant about 15,000 seedlings donated by the National Tree Trust during this daylong event. To make the site more accessible to the public and local schools, the Wetland Team is exploring the idea of adding an observation deck. " The number one lesson learned is that selecting
the proper site is key to wetland mitigation. By not forcing our wetland
sites in unsuitable areas, costs were dramatically reduced and the end
result is an exceptional wetland system." |
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Copyright © 2001, Environmental Fund for Pennsylvania
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