Kevin L. Hoover Water’s Edge Hydrology, Inc. khoover@wehydro.com – http://wehydro.com

1. Wetland Conservation Approaches Kevin L. Hoover Water’s Edge Hydrology, Inc. khoover@wehydro.com – http://wehydro.com

2. “Wetland Triangle”

3. Wetland ConservationCategories • Creation – conversion of existing uplands to wetlands. • Restoration – recovery of historic wetlands from current disturbed or upland conditions. • Enhancement – improving the functions and values of wetlands. • Preservation – protection of wetlands from existing or potential future impacts.

4. Implementation Approaches • Earthwork Methods • Hydrologic Improvements • Soil Amendments • Vegetative Management • Habitat Improvements

5. Earthwork Methods • Excavate or fill upland areas to expand existing wetlands or create new wetlands. • Remove historic fills to re-expose buried wetlands. • Make the area flat overall, but leave the ruts. • Apply fluvial geomorphology to create flood bank wetlands and sloughs. • Install subsurface barriers on sloped sites.

6. Hydrologic Improvements • Disrupt artificial drainage where present. • Eliminate historic upstream diversions. • Create impounding structures to increase the spread of hydrology. • Decrease depths of open water areas (6” or less is optimal for emergent vegetation).

7. Soil Amendments • Organic content is essential to good plant growth and water retention. • Disturbed wetlands may have lost their organic surface soil horizons, exposing low-organic mineral soil. • New topsoil may be added to improve conditions. • Alternately, organic matter may be tilled into the mineral soil. • Composted organic matter, such as manure or leaf litter, makes the best amendment.

9. Vegetative Management • Fence off livestock and exclude vehicular traffic along riparian corridors to allow recovery of vegetation and soil disturbances. • Remove invasive species and seed or plant with native species. • Plant woody species along riparian corridors. • Plant adjacent uplands for fringe habitat. • Consider forage, nesting, and escape cover when selecting species.

11. Habitat Improvement • Bird boxes, nesting platforms, “loafing” rafts, etc. • Brush piles and snag trees. • Migration-friendly culverts. • Create connections between existing wetlands as migration corridors.

14. North Corner Site • Restoration of historic wetlands by blocking off agricultural drainage ditches. • Enhancement of marginal wetland areas by improved hydrology. • Creation of new wetlands by excavation and impoundment. • Preservation of existing wetlands and upland habitat.

18. Antwerp Site • Enhancement of existing wetlands by improved hydrology. • Creation of new wetlands by excavation and impoundment. • Protection of wetlands by access restrictions and earthwork buffers. • Planting of adjacent upland areas for habitat improvement.