Environmental Water SOQ

Environmental Water | SOQ

WETLAND RESTORATION INSPECTIONS ATLAS TACK SUPERFUND SITE Fairhaven, Massachusetts

The Atlas Tack Site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1990 as a result of past waste disposal practices from manufacturing processes that discharged wastes into adjacent wetland areas. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) conducted Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) remedial activities at the site including the excavation and restoration of freshwater and saltwater contaminated wetlands. In 2009, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) assumed responsi bility for long term operation and maintenance of the site from USEPA. WSP was awarded a task assignment in 2009 under the SARSS V con tract to perform regular and periodic qualitative and quantitative mon itoring inspections of restored freshwater and saltwater wetlands in ac cordance with the 2009 Final Operations and Monitoring Plan prepared by USEPA and implemented per the mandate of the Record of Decision. Inspections initially occurred monthly during the growing season but were reduced to semiannually in 2015. Wetland plant species composition and vegetative cover class are quan titatively evaluated using the Braun Blanquet cover abundance scale assessment method and Relevé quantitative data sheets. Inspections also include observations of fences, gates and erosion/sedimentation control measures in place. A monitoring report detailing the results of the in spection along with extensive photo documentation and recommended action items is prepared by WSP and submitted to MassDEP following each inspection. As a unique element of the inspections, WSP also oversaw the identifica tion and removal of exotic and invasive species. WSP also conducted two post remedial monitoring rounds of surface water and sediment sam pling which contributed to the successful restoration of saltwater wet lands/estuaries critical to restoring local ocean fisheries and native bird and plant habitats.

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