scholarly journals Developing conceptual models for assessing benefits and impacts of USACE activities on freshwater mussel communities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brook Herman ◽  
William Slack ◽  
Todd Swannack
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Conceptual Models ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Freshwater Mussel ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Army Corps ◽  
Army Corps Of Engineers ◽  
Region Of Origin ◽  
Restoration Planning

In this report, we describe how aspects of existing freshwater mussel indices of biological integrity can be modified to fit within the planning paradigm established for developing and certifying ecological models for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ planning purposes. Herein, we present examples of using freshwater mussels for biological monitoring, how to calculate their associated IBIs specific to their region of origin and their potential use in ecosystem restoration planning. Additionally, we present general conceptual models that may be used in ecological model development and environmental benefits analysis for projects that focus on freshwater mussel habitat restoration.

North Carolina's Ecosystem Enhancement Program

2005 ◽  
Vol 1941 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet D'Ignazio ◽  
Kathryn McDermott ◽  
Bill Gilmore ◽  
Chris Russo
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Army Corps ◽  
Cumulative Impacts ◽  
Army Corps Of Engineers ◽  
Compensatory Mitigation ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
North Carolina Department ◽  
The North

Even before FHWA's focus on ecosystem conservation as part of its vital goals, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) had begun to examine how and where compensatory mitigation was being implemented in the state. Over the past 4 years, NCDOT, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers–Wilmington District have partnered to redesign the mitigation process with one goal in mind: to create a compensatory mitigation program that delivers guaranteed environmental benefits. The result of these efforts is the Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP). Instead of focusing on individual highway project impacts, the EEP concept revolves around watershed plans and considers cumulative impacts associated with a given watershed. Accordingly, EEP provides cumulative mitigation for cumulative impacts. It was clear from the start that EEP was going to change fundamentally the goals, approach, and structure of providing mitigation in North Carolina. Although the mitigation experts knew how the mitigation process needed to change, they lacked expertise in how to manage that change. Not surprisingly, this has presented several hurdles that the sponsoring agencies are still trying to scale today. As implementation moves forward, many valuable lessons are being learned, which are laying the groundwork for successful change. This paper describes the origins of the EEP concept, outlines the implementation processes, discusses “change barriers” experienced and lessons learned, and provides an EEP progress report 2 years into the program's implementation.

Expanding catchment-scale hydrologic restoration in suburban watersheds via stream mitigation crediting—A Northern Kentucky (USA) case study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J Hawley
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Intermittent Flow ◽  
Army Corps ◽  
Army Corps Of Engineers ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Us Army ◽  
Hydrologic Restoration

Abstract The need for hydrologic restoration is well established in stream ecosystems across the world; however, available funding for catchment-scale restoration typically falls far short of what is required to produce in-stream results. Hydrologic restoration can be particularly important for improving stream integrity in urban watersheds, but implementation can be challenging due to high property values and limited space for retroactive stormwater control measures. This Northern Kentucky (USA) case study summarizes how stormwater mitigation interventions could be, and have already been, used to credit stream mitigation projects via conventional US Army Corps of Engineers crediting protocols. Hydrologic restoration can generate stream mitigation credits by directly improving the flow class and/or by indirectly improving the habitat quality. For example, a stormwater intervention could create a shift from an ephemeral to intermittent flow class, while at the same time facilitating greater substrate stability, lower embeddedness, and other geomorphic improvements, that subsequently improve the categorical habitat rating. The ecological lift of such hydrologic interventions could be further expanded via concurrent in-stream mitigation measures such as re-establishing a jurisdictional stream in place of a drainage ditch or installing habitat structures such as toe wood and log steps, among other activities. Such process-based hydrologic restoration is consistent with the goals of the Clean Water Act and has the potential to be more beneficial to greater portions of stream networks and greater numbers of stakeholders than conventional habitat restoration alone.

scholarly journals Expanding catchment-scale hydrologic restoration in suburban watersheds via stream mitigation crediting—A Northern Kentucky (USA) case study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Hawley
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Intermittent Flow ◽  
Army Corps ◽  
Army Corps Of Engineers ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Us Army ◽  
Hydrologic Restoration

AbstractThe need for hydrologic restoration is well established in stream ecosystems across the world; however, available funding for catchment-scale restoration typically falls far short of what is required to produce in-stream results. Hydrologic restoration can be particularly important for improving stream integrity in urban watersheds, but implementation can be challenging due to high property values and limited space for retroactive stormwater control measures. This Northern Kentucky (USA) case study summarizes how stormwater mitigation interventions could be, and have already been, used to credit stream mitigation projects via conventional US Army Corps of Engineers crediting protocols. Hydrologic restoration can generate stream mitigation credits by directly improving the flow class and/or by indirectly improving the habitat quality. For example, a stormwater intervention could create a shift from an ephemeral to intermittent flow class, while at the same time facilitating greater substrate stability, lower embeddedness, and other geomorphic improvements, that subsequently improve the categorical habitat rating. The ecological lift of such hydrologic interventions could be further expanded via concurrent in-stream mitigation measures such as re-establishing a jurisdictional stream in place of a drainage ditch or installing habitat structures such as toe wood and log steps, among other activities. Such process-based hydrologic restoration is consistent with the goals of the Clean Water Act and has the potential to be more beneficial to greater portions of stream networks and greater numbers of stakeholders than conventional habitat restoration alone.

scholarly journals Archeological Assessment of Big Cypress Bayou Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration Area, Jefferson, Texas

2003 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Army Corps ◽  
Fort Worth ◽  
Army Corps Of Engineers ◽  
Historical Preservation ◽  
Corps Of Engineers ◽  
The Public ◽  
The City ◽  
The U.S

The investigations conducted along Big Cypress Bayou were undertaken as part of a project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop a fish and wildlife habitat restoration area. This project will benefit and is supported by the City of Jefferson and the Cypress Valley Alliance in helping to educate the public on the merits of environmental and historical preservation. The authors wish to thank several individuals for the completion of this report. First and foremost, our deepest thanks go to Mr. Duke De Ware whose love of the history and vision for the future of Jefferson is paramount. The use of facilities, equipment, and personnel from the Cypress Valley Alliance, and the tireless efforts of Elijah Dusek was beyond what we could have asked-thank you for everything. The ever present support, direction, and patience from Dr. Jay R. Newman of the Planning Division, U.S . Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District is also greatly appreciated.

scholarly journals Archaeological Data Recovery (41TR198) and Survey Within the Riverside Oxbow Project Tarrant County, Texas

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duane Peter ◽  
James Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Army Corps ◽  
Fort Worth ◽  
Army Corps Of Engineers ◽  
Tarrant County ◽  
Archaeological Data ◽  
Water District ◽  
National Historic Preservation Act ◽  
The City ◽  
Regional Water

This report presents the findings of the survey of 75 acres and the excavation of 28 cubic meters of site 41TR198 (Crooked Oxbow Site) within the Riverside Oxbow Project sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, in partnership with the City of Fort Worth and the Tarrant County Water District. Planned impacts from this proposed project include habitat restoration, channel reestablishment, vegetation plantings, new roads, and sports field construction. The deepest impacts planned for the Area of Potential Effects are one meter and involve the excavation of a shallow lake utilizing the relict oxbow bordering site 41TR198. Impacts planned for the remainder of the project area will be less than one-half meter deep. Overall, the project will attempt to use the existing landscape as much as possible in order to reduce impacts. As a federal agency the USACE is required to undertake cultural resource investigations for their projects in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended through 2001. Since the Tarrant Regional Water District is the landowner and co-sponsor of the project, and a political subentity of the state of Texas, this project was also conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 5040.

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