Bald Eagle Wetland Mitigation Site
Centre County, Pennsylvania

Few issues have polarized the business community and environmentalists more than the balance between development and protecting wetlands. WHM has developed a highly innovative approach that creates new wetlands while allowing projects to move ahead.

An example is the Bald Eagle Wetland Mitigation Site, the first of its kind in Pennsylvania.

Although avoidance of wetland damage is a goal in highway construction, some impact is unavoidable. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation hired WHM to provide mitigation for such situations.

We utilize a non-traditional methodology, assembling a team to handle everything at no risk to the client. We find a site, purchase the property, acquire the permits, deal with regulatory agencies and construct replacement wetlands – all at a per-acre fixed cost.

WHM also assists the private sector with “advanced compensation.” By combining the client’s needs with the needs of other clients, we can significantly reduce the overall project per-acre costs. This is possible because WHM works for a wide range of clients with various environmental needs.

Through careful field and desktop evaluations, followed by numerous discussions with property owners, WHM located several potential properties in the Bald Eagle Valley in Centre County, Pa. These properties were selected based on their ability to create wetlands as determined by an examination of hydrology and soils, as well as other environmental and non-environmental factors. Larger contiguous properties create a more diverse habitat than smaller unwanted parcels. Properties that retained a high possibility of success were ranked for acquisition.

Prior to the design of the wetland mitigation site, thorough environmental site assessments were performed, and WHM corresponded with state and federal agencies to determine any archaeological concerns or impact upon threatened and endangered species.

After clearances were issued and sites were selected, WHM began to create a design for the Bald Eagle project based on the overall shape of the landscape and the development of a hydrologic water budget. The concept was presented to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and other state and local agencies. The final design was based on input from each of these agencies, and then used to obtain regulatory approvals necessary for the construction of wetlands.

As the project progressed, a series of construction drawings was developed, resulting in a final, detailed design illustrating phased construction activities, erosion control practices and a complete planting and re-vegetation schedule.

As part of the regulatory permits and approvals, WHM developed a monitoring plan to ensure long-term site maintenance and success. Funding for the project includes provisions for ongoing and long-term management of the wetlands by a non-profit organization.

WHM will have provided PennDOT with 50 acres of wetland mitigation credits. In addition, wetland preservation, restoration and upland habitat are part of this project.

Based on past wetland construction costs for highway projects, the client stands to save considerable money. Rather than utilizing traditional methods of contracting with multiple entities and managing multiple contracts without guarantee of success, WHM provides a single “family” to ensure success.

Wetlands have both economic and environmental benefits. They provide recreational opportunities for the 100 million U.S. adults who hunt, fish, canoe, watch birds or photograph wildlife. These activities, which rely on healthy wetlands, add tens of millions of dollars to the national economy.

Wetlands also improve water quality by blocking pollutants from entering receiving waters. Water treatment plants cost millions to construct, and additional money is needed to operate and maintain the facilities.

They help control floods by slowing runoff water, minimizing the frequency of catastrophic flood levels in streams and rivers.

Wetlands control erosion along lakes and stream banks by reducing forces associated with wave action. Some wetlands “recharge” ground water by detaining surface waters that would otherwise quickly flow to distant lakes or rivers. This allows the water to percolate into the ground and help ensure long-term supplies of quality ground water.

Wetlands also act as a sponge. By holding water, they store nutrients in the soil, allowing cleaner water to flow in to the body of water beyond or below the wetland. Vegetation can absorb pollutants.

They form a valuable ecological niche: 43 per cent of threatened or endangered species in the U.S. live in or depend on wetlands. This includes plants and animals. Many animals depend on wetlands for homes and resting spots. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, aquatic insects and certain mammals need wetlands as a place for their young to be born and grow.

Wetlands also provide ideal locations for classroom ecological studies.

WHM has unique expertise in both the business and environmental aspects of wetlands. We carefully apply a scientific approach to obtain a quality “product” – new wetlands – without the need for our clients to seek out experts for each step of the process.
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Bald Eagle