Nineveh Creek Stream Restoration - Camp Atterbury, Indiana
Services: Stream bank restoration using bioengineering techniques and materials
The Construction Engineering Research Lab (CERL), a branch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, contracted with JFNew to restore approximately 600 feet of Nineveh Creek at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. CERL conducts research and development in infrastructure and environmentally sustainable range management practices. The 33,000 acre Camp Atterbury is a primary Army Guard training range in the Midwest and also has special facilities for SEAL training. The increased training tempo at military ranges across the country has stressed land and water resources and CERL is tasked with finding appropriate ways to mitigate the effects of military training.
For this job, JFNew used several different bioengineering techniques incorporating native plants to restore separate sections of the degraded creek. These techniques included: biologs with wetland plugs installed; Reno mattresses, gabion baskets with both hard and soft armament; and Filtrexx socks (a photodegradable tube filled with compost and native seed). JFNew is now working with CERL scientists to evaluate each method. This project will serve as reference basis for stream restoration on military installations throughout the country. This creek restoration project was featured during a field day at Camp Atterbury in August 2005 in conjunction with the Army's 2005 Integrated Training and Management workshop (ITAM).
US Forest Service
Services: Survey development and evaluation and coordination with stakeholders to develop guidelines
JFNew is working with the US Forest Service Eastern Region to develop native plant guidelines and strategies for 10 National Forests. This work involves developing and evaluating a comprehensive mail and phone survey of Forest Service native plant stakeholders to determine Regional and Forest unit native plant needs. Utilizing our own experience in developing native plant propagation procedures and techniques, we will propose Forest-specific guidelines to help the Regional office focus its limited resources on effective native plant strategies.
Nation Park Service - Nationwide
Services: Feasibility study, design and oversight of construction of natural wastewater treatment systems
JFNew worked with the National Park Service to identify a waste treatment system for remote restroom facilities in several park facilities. We completed a feasibility study to identify treatment options and concluded that a natural treatment system would address the complex needs of the sites. These needs included addressing issues of minimal topsoil, no electricity and no access for machinery. One solution involved multiple wetlands to address the treatment needs while also utilizing the most cost-effective access methods to the site.
Project sites worked on include Mount Pisgah near Asheville, North Carolina; Mabry Mill near Roanoke, Virginia; the Mount LeConte Lodge, Clingman Dome and Newfound Gap facilities within the Blue Ridge Parkway; and Hawaii.
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie - Wilmington, Illinois
Services: Contract seed cleaning and storage and woody species control
JFNew has assisted the USDA Forest Service with the restoration of the native prairies at the only federally owned property managed solely for the preservation and restoration of a tall grass prairie community. When completed, over 20,000 acres of prairie will be restored. JFNew's initial involvement was through cleaning and processing native grass and wildflower seed collected from the site by volunteers. JFNew now stores the seed for the project as well. The cleaned seed is then installed in new prairie restoration areas by Midewin staff.
JFNew has also provided ecological consulting services to control woody resprouts in prairie restoration areas. Specific application techniques were implemented to maximize woody control, while preventing damage to rare and endangered species on the site. JFNew and the U.S. Forest Service worked together to develop a management strategy that paired target species with the most effective and appropriate chemicals for control. This strategy required diligent application and identification efforts to maximize control while minimizing risk to non-target species.
Wetland Restoration - Warren County, Indiana
Services: Repair failed wetland restoration done by others, including excavation, installation of water control structures and repair of levees
JFNew was awarded a contract with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to complete repairs to a wetland restoration project as part of the wetland reserve program. The project was attempted by a previous contractor, but not successfully completed. The contract awarded to JFNew was based on a revised design completed by the NRCS. Prior to moving ahead with the repair work, JFNew provided suggestions for further revisions to the plans. These revisions were accepted and incorporated into the final design leading to a successful restoration project.
