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
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 2
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 3
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 4
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. 5
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 6
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. 7
South Basin Construction • Excavation and grading of the south basin. LOCATION: • PADEP site visit to oversee construction CLIENT: progress at project site • Surveyor for collecting as- built grades information 8
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 9
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 10
Upland Slope Construction • Excavation and Grading of the upland slope. LOCATION: • North basin grading to create more open water CLIENT: • Minimal dewatering for north basin to excavate perimeter grades 11
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 12
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 13
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 . 14
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 15
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 16
Interpretive & Warning Signs • Interpretive signage designed by sub consultant LOCATION: to be installed this spring on fishing pier CLIENT: • Warning sign of shallow obstructions at south basin for boaters 17
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 18
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 19
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