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Fundamentals
Key Definitions
Multiple definitions exist for many words. Restoration,
reclamation and revegetation are no exception. Often
vegetation is the measure of the success of disturbed land remedial
actions and is intended to provide a broad range of utilitarian
functions including control of erosion, wildlife habitat, harvest
of water thus preventing percolation through wastes, as well as
providing an aesthetically desirable visual appearance. While vegetation
reestablishment is a component of virtually all disturbed land treatments,
the degree to which the entire reestablished ecological system (i.e.
plant, animal, microbial, etc.) resembles or functions like the
pre-disturbance ecological system is a measure of the intensity
and success of the treatment. Great periods of time (e.g. centuries)
may be required for natural recovery following disturbance, while
human induced actions are intended to greatly shorten the length
of time required to achieve the desired condition. The desired condition
is a function of human values and perceived highest use of the land.
- the establishment
of an ecological condition which closely approximates the pre-disturbance
condition. (see photo)
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Photo Provided by The Nature Conservancy |
- the establishment
of a functional plant-soil system different than the pre-disturbance
condition, but consistent with the post-disturbance land use.
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| Erosion matting helps keep
soil in place and allows seedlings to take hold. Photo Provided
by MJ Nehasil
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Revegetation - the establishment of vegetation on a disturbed
site inclusive of weeds, introduced species and native species without
regard for the post-disturbance land use or without reference to
the pre-disturbance condition.
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| Before. Photo Provided
by Stuart Jennings
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After. Photo Provided by Stuart
Jennings |
Fundamentals Concepts
Successful treatment of disturbed land typically requires application
of a common logic tempered by unique site specific circumstances.
No single approach is applicable to all sites, yet common themes
recur. A breadth of common fundamental considerations in disturbed
land treatment is presented below.
Administration - Prior to initiating the treatment ensure that
necessary permits are obtained, land owners notified, funding secured,
paperwork and contracts in order.
Develop A Plan - Provide a written plan which states the reason
for action, objectives of the action, methods for completion of
the action and design of the action. Appendices to the plan may
include a site safety plan, topsoil handling plan, revegetation
plan, stormwater control plan, historic preservation plan as well
as others. The plan is the tool for communicating with stakeholders,
contractors, public entities and land managers. The plan may be
brief or complex depending on the complexity of the site and statutory
requirements.
Minimize the Disturbance - It is desirable to minimize the size
of the site. Therefore care should be taken to not to unnecessarily
degrade areas adjacent to the disturbance that do not require action.
Common reasons for unnecessary disturbances include excessive road
construction and excessive use of staging areas for parking, equipment
and material storage. Particular care should be exercised near streams
and in areas of desirable vegetation to prevent disturbance. Consideration
may be given to flagging or fencing areas to be avoided.
Preserve existing vegetation - To the extent practical, desirable
existing vegetation should remain undisturbed. Exceptionally important
concerns include the preservation of trees, shrubs and native plant
communities which may have required decades or longer to establish
and cannot be replaced without great lengths of time, at great cost,
or both.
Salvage topsoil - Topsoil salvage is of paramount importance to
revegetation efforts. Site soil typically contains organic material,
microbes, fungi and plant materials adapted to the site and necessary
for nutrient cycling following completion of the project. Replacement
of site topsoil with imported topsoil is often very costly and less
effective than use of site soil. Topsoil salvaged should also be
stockpiled only for short periods of time (e.g. a few weeks) or
preferably direct hauled from the salvage area to laydown area without
intermediate stockpiling.
Conserve wetlands - Wetlands are protected by statute as areas
of special importance to society. Jurisdictional Wetlands cannot
be disturbed without permits. However, functionally effective wetlands
exist which are not protected by statute. Functionally effective
wetlands should also be conserved to the extent practicable. Delineation
of jurisdictional wetlands at a site can be accomplished by a scientist
trained in wetland delineation.
Consolidate and isolate waste material - Waste materials encountered
should be consolidated to a single or few locations where materials
can be placed out of contact with surface water, groundwater or
plant roots. It is desirable to minimize the areal extent of waste
materials and especially those found in riparian corridors where
stream processes may entrain wastes and transport them off site.
Control surface water - Runoff from disturbed areas should be prevented
as well as run-on of clean water into disturbed areas. A stormwater
control plan is commonly developed to detail the location and type
of control to be used.
Preserve historic features, remove hazards - If features of historic
significance are present coordinate with governmental agencies charged
with historic preservation to ensure that appropriate features are
retained and hazards removed.
Provide for safety - Worker safety and public safety are paramount
concerns. No unsafe action should be taken. Often a site safety
plan is developed which details the risks associated with each site
and protocols for mitigation of risk. Daily worker safety briefings
are common.
Identify hazards - Check for utilities, monitor for hazardous waste
and beware of physical hazards.
Site preparation - Construct access roads, staging areas, stormwater
controls, remove hazards, remove garbage, install signing, survey
and mark construction areas. Preparatory activities should facilitate
efficient and safe operation of the construction site.
Recontour - Establish topography consistent with the surrounding
landscape and conducive to erosional stability and revegetation.
Revegetate - Establish vegetation. This may include treating the
soil with amendments and fertilizer as well as tillage, seeding
and mulching. Selection of species for establishment should reflect
the surrounding ecosystem and post remedial land use. Plant materials
used should be adapted to the climate of the site. Consideration
should be given to the species diversity and structural diversity.
Control weeds - Undesirable weeds listed as "noxious"
within the State should be eradicated from the site immediately
following completion of construction to ensure that noxious weeds
do not establish a foothold on the disturbance. Other weedy species
which are undesirable but not identified as noxious should be monitored
and controlled consistent with overall site objectives. Many weedy
species will decline over time as they are outcompeted by the seeded
or planted vegetation.
VRM - Visual Resource Management - Provide for a finished project
which blends naturally into the landscape thereby imitating the
form and structure of the adjacent landscape.
Document design and "as-built" condition - The condition
of the site following construction should be documented to provide
land managers with a record of how the site was constructed. The
"as-built" condition often varies from the original design
reflecting circumstances encountered during construction. The "as-built"
forms the basis for long term monitoring.
Monitor/maintain - Following construction monitoring and sometimes
maintenance are required to ensure the integrity of the action.
The intensity of monitoring should parallel the priority of the
site and severity of adverse consequences possible in the event
of a problem.
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