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Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Division

Assessing the Effectiveness of Restoration Technologies. Elise Striz and Joe Williams. Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Division. Condition of Streams, Estuaries and Landscapes. Assessment. DESIRED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION. Restoration. Diagnosis. Assessment. Assessment.

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Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Division

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  1. Assessing the Effectiveness of Restoration Technologies Elise Striz and Joe Williams Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Division

  2. Condition of Streams, Estuaries and Landscapes Assessment DESIRED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION Restoration Diagnosis Assessment Assessment Assessment Forecasting ORD Ecological Research Approach Effectiveness ?

  3. Restoration Plus Research to translate ecosystem benefits into economic benefits Watershed Managers and Partners NRMRL GWERD NRMRL STD MAHA Region The “Plus” sustainable economies flood reduction carbon sequestration species diversity recreation timber/wood production safe water supply liveability tourism Research to evaluate ecosystem benefits of restoration actions Ecosystem Restoration Actions

  4. Research to evaluate ecosystem benefits of restoration actions

  5. How can we evaluate the effectiveness of stream restoration? • Metrics • Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) • Ecosystem Services (denitrification, carbon sequestration,etc.) • Stream Geomorphic Stability • Stream Flow • Sediment Transport • Water Quality

  6. Impacts of Stream Restoration on Nitrate Processing, Hydrology, Biology and Sediment Transport at Mine Bank Run in Baltimore, MD US EPA NRMRL GWERD Maryland District USGS Water Resources Division Institute of Ecosystem Studies Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management Baltimore County Parks Department

  7. Mine Bank Run Before Restoration

  8. Comparison of restoration technologies to be employed at Minebank Run • AFTER • Bank stabilization techniques • Energy dissipating structures • Stream channel relocation • BEFORE • Point Bars • Pools • Riffles • Relative effects on: • Water Quality ( nutrient processing) • IBI • Sediment Transport

  9. Bank Stabilization: Re-shaping Organic Soils Saturated Zone Organic Soils? Saturated Zone? Stream Corridor Restoration Handbook

  10. Shallow/deep monitoring wells Shallow/deep monitoring wells Piezometer well nests Mine Bank Run Transect Design

  11. Mine Bank Run Stream restoration plans and selected transect locations

  12. Hypothetical relationship between carbon and denitrification among stream features Before After Wing Vane Riffle Pool Increasing Organic Matter Point Bar RipRap Re-shaping Slope Increasing Denitrification Activity

  13. Hydrologic and Geomorphic Controls on Riparian Ecosystems in the Great Basin of Central Nevada David G. Jewett, U.S. EPA, ORD, NRMRL, Ada, OK Mark L. Lord, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC Jerry R. Miller, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC Jeanne C. Chambers, USDA Forest Service, Reno, NV

  14. Riparian and wet meadow ecosystems • Comprise less than 2% of land area in the Great Basin • Contain a large percentage of the region’s biodiversity • Impacted by stream entrenchment and loss of valuable habitat

  15. Depth to WT vs Vegetation Type

  16. Factors to consider when evaluating management/restoration alternatives Hydrogeological conditions leading to meadow formation Sensitivity of existing vegetation to changes in water table depth Challenge traditional restoration approaches because of unique groundwater/surface water dependency. What techniques will work? What metrics can be applied?

  17. Research to translate ecosystem benefits into economic benefits

  18. How can we estimate the costs/benefits of stream restoration? Costs :Accessible and Defined • Benefits: Existing Metrics-Can we value the change? • Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) – Benthic and Fish communities improve • Ecosystem Services (denitrification,etc.)-Water quality improvements, lower pollutant load downstream • Stream Geomorphic Stability-Protect infrastructure, land, maintain aquatic environment • Sediment Transport-Protect in stream and downstream habitats

  19. Current Reality: Willingness to Pay

  20. Partnerships between ORD and Canaan Valley Institute The Highlands Action Program model for implementing sustainable resource management decisions in the MAHA. • Research to develop tools for cost/benefit analysis of restoration • Develop restoration prioritization methodologies including cost/benefit

  21. We are here Our Destination Stable Channel Good IBI Balanced Sediment Transport Improved Water Quality Benefit>Cost Unstable Channel Poor IBI Sediment Transport Poor Water Quality Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Division

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