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?