See first-hand how legacy sediments, a previously undocumented source of water pollution, were discovered and learn about how floodplain restoration can help solve stream bank erosion, nutrient runoff, stormwater and even climate change problems in this Video Blog Feature by Mark Gutshall, LandStudies, Inc.

Video Blog Feature: Mark Gutshall

The video takes you to a tributary to Chickies Creek in Lancaster County to show you how legacy sediments formed and the pollution they cause. It then moves to the Banta Stream Restoration Project in Warwick Township to illustrate how this four year old floodplain restoration project has worked to restore the floodplain, create habitat and reduce water pollution.

“We developed the floodplain restoration technique based on studies we conducted in numerous watersheds over the last several years,” said Gutshall. “These studies pointed to a previously unrecognized major source of pollution – stream banks – but it wasn’t until we talked to colleagues at Franklin & Marshall College that we put our science and their understanding of land-use history together.”

Watershed assessments in the Susquehanna River Watershed demonstrated that 50 to 80 percent of the sediment loads in certain watersheds were coming from streambanks, along with the nutrient pollution they carry. Measured rates of bank erosion in the field were often exponentially greater than the commonly used models show.

“Drs. Dorothy Merritts and Robert Walter at F&M showed us their research that identified hundreds of mill dams built in the 18th and 19th centuries and behind each dam was up to 20 feet of sediment sometimes stretching hundreds of yards,” said Gutshall. “When the dams collapsed or were removed, the sediment was still there, but the stream began cutting its way down through that legacy sediment to the original floodplain and in the process carried away huge amounts of soil.

“Our floodplain restoration technique is designed to restore a stream to its original floodplain by removing the legacy sediment that would otherwise find its way downstream,” explained Gutshall. “Once we knew to look for old mill dams, we could accurately locate the old stream bed level and essentially put the stream back the way it was, with natural meanders but without the eroded stream banks.”

A new booklet published by LandStudies called, “Floodplain Restoration,” describes the multiple benefits of floodplain restoration, including:

· eliminating a major source of sediment and nutrients;

· reducing downstream nuisance flooding;

· providing an area for groundwater recharge and stormwater filtration;

· generating water quality credits for nutrient and sediment reduction to help wastewater plants comply with nutrient reduction requirements; and

· providing opportunities for carbon sequestration through the planting of riparian corridors.

“Looking for legacy sediments as part of a watershed assessment is critical because time and money invested in planting riparian buffers, for example, could be completely wasted if they are planted on top of these sediments, high above local groundwater and streambeds,” said Gutshall. “The discovery of legacy sediments has dramatically changed the way we look at water quality problems in our watersheds.”

Since the documentation of legacy sediments as a pollution source, the floodplain restoration technique has been recognized by the Department of Environmental Protection in its Stormwater Best Practices Manual and as part of its Nutrient Trading Program for the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy.

The agency is also in the process of developing a formal floodplain restoration Best Management Practice and is studying how to incorporate this technique into local sewage facilities planning.

The 11 x 17, 30-page “Floodplain Restoration” guide is available for $30 (tax and shipping included) by sending your request to LandStudies, Inc., 315 North St., Lititz, PA 17543, by contacting LandStudies at 717-27-4440 or by visiting land@landstudies.com for an order form.

Video Blog Feature: Mark Gutshall on Legacy Sediments, Floodplain Restoration

Follow These Links For More Information:

Documenting Stream Channel Erosion, A Bigger Problems Than Originally Thought

Reducing Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay Through Floodplain Restoration

Critical Aquifer Recharge Benefits of Floodplain Restoration

Floodplain Restoration Improves Water Quality

Session Schedule

The Senate and House will return to session October 29.

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda/Bills Introduced

· Senate/House Bills Moving

· Senate Committee OK’s PA Climate Change Act, House Moves Its Version

· Hazardous Sites Cleanup Funding Bill Approved By Senate Committee

· House Committee Reports Out Waste Fee, Green Building Legislation

· Detergent Ban, Energy Efficiency Bills on House Environmental Committee Agenda

· Joint Committee October Environmental Synopsis Now Available Online

Other News

· REAP Tax Credit Program to Encourage Farm Conservation Effective This Week

· Reminder: Deadline for Agriculture/Rural Youth Grants October 31

· Schuylkill Workshop on Local Governments Protecting Watersheds

· Workshop to Teach Communities How to Protect Public Drinking Water Supplies

· New Manual for Maintenance of Dirt and Gravel Roads Available Online

· Applications Invited for Water Resources Education Project Grants

· Public Invited to Meetings on Conewago River Conservation Plan

· $69 Million in Water Infrastructure Investments Approved

· SRBC’s Thomas Beauduy Elected Chair of Interstate Council on Water Policy

· Students Answer the Challenge to Promote Green Energy in Poster Contest

· “Green” Water Bottling Plant Opens in the Lehigh Valley

· Phipps Center for Sustainable Landscapes Breaks Ground on “Living Building”

· First Cut of Biomass Energy Inventory in PA Now Available Online

· Small Business Development Center Holds Energy Efficiency Workshop

· Nominations Due for 2008 Philadelphia Sustainability Awards December 7

· 8th Annual Green Power Awards Presented to 33 Individuals, Groups, Companies

· U.S. Composting Council Seeks Nominations for Composting Awards

· Air Pollution From Idling Diesel Trucks Target of New DEP Regulation

· New Pittsburgh Indicators Show Average, Not Frightening Air Quality

· Pennsylvania Again Leads U.S. in Deer-Car Collisions, Over 98,000

· PA Parks/Forests Foundation Seeks 2008 Award Nominations

· Conservation Landscape Workshop Set for November 8

· Save the Date: PA Association for Environmental Ed 2008 Conference

· Help Wanted: DEP Seeking Nominations for Solid Waste Advisory Committee

Spotlight

· Resilite Sports Products’ Wins Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

Grants & Awards – NEW SECTION!

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

10/26/2007