Design Around Waterways and Wetlands

Transcription

1 Design Around Waterways and Wetlands NL Green Economy Conference Newleef-2014 NEIA, St. John s, NL October 9-10 th, 2014 Wade Lewis Amherst, Nova Scotia,

2 DUC conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitat

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4 Leader in Wetland Conservation in Canada DUC is active in every province and territory 6.1 million acres of habitat conserved by DUC and 62 million acres protected through policy 8,700 habitat projects completed 18,500 Canadian landowners have conserved habitat in partnership with DUC

5 Water quantity Water quality Biodiversity Economic benefits Numerous reports now show how valuable wetlands can be in improving water quality Reduce sediments Absorb nutrients Degrade pesticides Reduce pathogens

6 The Biggest Driver for the Need for Wetland Conservation FLOODING Wetlands Reduce Flooding by Buffering of Storm Events

7 DUC Reputation Cooperation vs. confrontation

8 Helping Find Solutions for Government and Private Sector Partners

9 NL Regulation for Development in Wetlands -W.R Objective: to permit developments that do not adversely affect the water quantity, water quality, hydrologic characteristics or functions, and terrestrial and aquatic habitats of the wetlands. The policy outlines situations where development in and/or around wetlands is not permitted due to negative impacts on water quality and quantity, municipal or private ground water wells, or increased flood risks. The terms and conditions set out in a particular environmental approval for development in and/or around wetlands may define required mitigative and restorative measures.

10 Ducks Unlimited Canada Restoration Services Finding Solutions for private and public sector partners to off-set wetland habitat loss. 1. Wetland Restoration Projects -triggered by provincial wetland conservation policies 2. Naturalized Storm Water Systems- a better approach to zero net increase in storm water runoff

11 Wetland Compensation Methods 1.Restorative Methods: enhancement or construction of replacement wetlands 2.Non-restorative Methods : alternatives that support maintenance of wetland value Wetland inventory development and data acquisition Wetland securement for long term protection Wetland education and awareness Wetland research and monitoring

12 Naturalized Storm Water Systems Development increases both the rate and volume of storm water runoff Zero Net Increase for Storm Water Runoff

13 The Water Jail Approach to Zero Net Increase for Stormwater Runoff Stormwater Detention Basin Bathtub

14 Naturalized Storm Water Systems Good for the Community Good for the Environment Good for the Bottom Line.

15 . Ducks Unlimited Canada pioneered the movement towards naturalized storm water retention basins in Canada by creating functional and sustainable storm water systems.

16 From Constructed Wetlands for Conservation to Constructed Wetland Systems for Remediation Purposes fitting our knowledge from designing big wetland projects into smaller urban locations

17 Native Plant Solutions Alternative Approaches to Urban Storm Water Management: You can design ponds with a look in mind Projects can be designed anywhere from 4 years to 6 months in advance of construction

18 Naturalized SRB Concept and Design: Incorporating Emergent Vegetation and Native Grass Uplands Native Upland Buffer Strips help to intercept excess nutrients before they even enter waterways Wet Meadow and Emergent Wetland Vegetation in the pond helps to cleanse incoming waters even more

19 For water quality to improve - pond designs must have wetland plants growing in the water

20 Water Level Wetland Plant Zonation: Submersed Vegetation Using what we know about wetland to build in sustainability and resiliency Open Water

21 Creating the Environment: Bridgwater Development (1500 ac) Before Construction Begins - 24 Naturalized Storm Water Ponds - Work in advance with engineers and landscape architects

22 Creating the Environment: Bridgwater Development (1500 ac) Key considerations: - Project planning and staging - Water availability: amount and timing - Infrastructure: commissioning the system

23 Creating the Environment Construction Contouring Slopes and Shallows to: meet water retention capacity requirements Create the necessary underwater environments to promote vegetation diversity and zone development Most of our work occurs in the winter

24 Creating the Environment Construction & Commissioning Bridgwater Lakes SRB 3 Built - Fall 2011

25 Creating the Environment Commissioning Spring 2012 Bridgwater Lakes SRB 3 Spring 2013

26 Bridgwater Lakes SRB 3 Spring 2013 Site Commissioning: Used a variety of planting strategies Monitor often at the start (water, plants, wildlife, erosion) Naturalized SRBs: ready for hand-off 2 to 3 years following establishment Native grass uplands: ready for hand-off 3 to 4 years following establishment

27 Sage Creek acre Development

28 Property Value Comparison: Winnipeg, MB Development On Pond Assessed Value ($) House Area (ft 2 ) Property Taxes ($) Selling Price ($) Price per Square Foot ($) Royalwood Y 611, , Royalwood N 342, , Sage Creek Y 592, , Sage Creek N 349, , Bridgwater Y 853, , Bridgwater N 631, ,

29 Opportunity??

30 THANK YOU. Good for the community and the environment and good for the bottom line