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, w_lewis@ducks.ca
DUC conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitat
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
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
The Biggest Driver for the Need for Wetland Conservation FLOODING Wetlands Reduce Flooding by Buffering of Storm Events
DUC Reputation Cooperation vs. confrontation
Helping Find Solutions for Government and Private Sector Partners
NL Regulation for Development in Wetlands -W.R. 97-2 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.
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
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
Naturalized Storm Water Systems Development increases both the rate and volume of storm water runoff Zero Net Increase for Storm Water Runoff
The Water Jail Approach to Zero Net Increase for Stormwater Runoff Stormwater Detention Basin Bathtub
Naturalized Storm Water Systems Good for the Community Good for the Environment Good for the Bottom Line.
. Ducks Unlimited Canada pioneered the movement towards naturalized storm water retention basins in Canada by creating functional and sustainable storm water systems.
From Constructed Wetlands for Conservation to Constructed Wetland Systems for Remediation Purposes fitting our knowledge from designing big wetland projects into smaller urban locations
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
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
For water quality to improve - pond designs must have wetland plants growing in the water
Water Level Wetland Plant Zonation: Submersed Vegetation Using what we know about wetland to build in sustainability and resiliency Open Water
Creating the Environment: Bridgwater Development (1500 ac) Before Construction Begins - 24 Naturalized Storm Water Ponds - Work in advance with engineers and landscape architects
Creating the Environment: Bridgwater Development (1500 ac) Key considerations: - Project planning and staging - Water availability: amount and timing - Infrastructure: commissioning the system
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
Creating the Environment Construction & Commissioning Bridgwater Lakes SRB 3 Built - Fall 2011
Creating the Environment Commissioning Spring 2012 Bridgwater Lakes SRB 3 Spring 2013
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
Sage Creek - 900 acre Development
Property Value Comparison: Winnipeg, MB Development On Pond Assessed Value ($) House Area (ft 2 ) Property Taxes ($) Selling Price ($) Price per Square Foot ($) Royalwood Y 611,000 1849 7337 779,900 421 Royalwood N 342,000 1264 4207 369,000 291 Sage Creek Y 592,000 1816 6500 769,900 423 Sage Creek N 349,000 1737 4437 399,900 230 Bridgwater Y 853,000 2353 9614 959,000 407 Bridgwater N 631,000 2306 7348 749,900 325
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THANK YOU. Good for the community and the environment and good for the bottom line