De–stressing the water

The largest threat to wetlands is the risk of being flooded with sediment as a result of a poorly managed construction site.

Most construction projects require erosion control to prevent damage to the wetlands

 Any time work which involves disturbance of the ground is proposed within a wetland, or within 100 feet of a wetland, a permit must be granted by the local conservation commission prior to the work being done. Obtaining a permit requires that the wetland be delineated, located by survey, and shown on a plan. The plan must also show the location of the proposed work, the nature of the proposed work, and the methods which will be used to protect the wetlands from erosion or disturbance during construction. In some instances the work will require disturbance or alteration of the wetlands themselves.

 There are several types of wetlands, depending on where they are located and the chemical makeup of the water in them. In most cases, wetlands form an intermediate area between a large body of water such as an ocean or lake and dry land, although some inland wetlands form in areas isolated from bodies of water. Wetlands tend to form in areas of low ground, which accumulates water readily, and if allowed to thrive without disruption, they have numerous positive affects on the natural environment.¹

 Riparian buffer strips are areas of trees or shrubs located adjacent to streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. They intercept pollutants before they reach surface and ground water, stop shoreline erosion and provide havens for a number of wildlife and aquatic organisms. Shelterbelts, also called windbreaks, are usually single or multiple rows of trees or shrubs planted perpendicular to prevailing winds that provide protection from wind and snow. These buffers can protect wildlife, farmsteads, cropland, and livestock. They can also dampen noise and beautify the landscape.²

Aquatic Buffers serve as natural boundaries between local waterways and existing development. They help

Wetlands invite the use of more natural vegetative solutions for erosion control and a greater emphasis on project aesthetics than in other types of erosion control projects. Sometimes, vegetative techniques alone cannot provide adequate protection of wetlands, and they must be combined with other alternatives. A design goal for a wetland protection project should be to use the minimum amount of structural protection necessary. Innovation is often the key to an appealing and successful project.³

 Erosion of this fragile ecosystem has been a problem long before the oil spill that threatens fragile, resource–rich Louisiana wetlands.

Restored wetlands are exposed to the erosive forces of nature.

Governor Says Montana Was Misled on Oil Spill

He also accused the company of failing to honor open–government laws by denying the state access to Exxon Mobil documents. And as a result, he said, the state is pulling its people from an incident command task force set up to assess and clean up the spill, which occurred July 1.

…Misled

…Update

Dolphins near Grand Isle being tested for BP oil exposure

The bottlenose dolphin known as "Y-18" lay quietly on a gray cushion mat on the floor of the RV Megamouth as a team of scientists raced through a series of tests aimed at determining whether chemicals associated with the oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon spill have affected its health.  Progress

References

1. Design Considerations
2. Conservation Buffers Make Good Sense
3. What are Wetlands?