Long Leaf Creek: Stream Restoration

Project Manager: Rick Scaffidi
Client: City of Wilmington, North Carolina Storm Water Service
Completion Date: May 1999
Original Contract Amount: $448,215
Project Duration: November 1998 to May 1999

The Storm Water Service division of the City of Wilmington, North Carolina contracted Environmental Quality Resources, LLC to restore approximately 1,340 linear feet of perennial streambank. Kimley-Horn and Associates, LLC, in conjunction with Robbin B. Sotir & Associates, engineered plans to permanently stabilize the stream banks using state of the art soft bioengineering and hard engineering methods.

EQR’s construction involved slope stabilization using a geo-grid wrapped stone toe with brush layering between a layered geo-grid shelf. The day after completion, a 12-inch rainstorm did not affect any of the newly constructed areas of the stream. The finished restoration project provided a stable stream system during storm events, permanent sediment and erosion control, and overall protection of water quality and stream habitat.

The work included grade control, stream diversion, locally harvesting and installing over 100,000, 6- to 12-foot long branch cuttings, laying out and pinning the geo-grid, forming each of the geo-grid cells, testing and modifying the select fill, and installing all slope stabilization techniques. Soil bioengineering techniques for the project included live stakes, joint plantings, fascines and vegetated geo-grid.

The major challenge was coordination between the prime contractor and EQR on all the concurrent and sequential activities. The prime contractor was responsible for all earthwork, foundation work and OSHA shoring, while EQR managed setup, directed and managed the sediment and erosion control, and soil bioengineering techniques. The close proximity of the limit of disturbance line to the top of the bank (15 feet), two small staging areas, and inadequate for stockpiling the volumes of soil excavated increased the difficulty and importance of coordinating the work.

In addition, the plans specified the use of indigenous plant material to be locally harvested. EQR identified and harvested plants from four adjacent counties. The large quantities of harvested plant material required storage in refrigerated trucks for up to three months while the construction areas were prepared for planting.

EQR had to adjust the soil chemistry to slow nutrient release rates and maximize plant nutrient uptake to insure plant establishment and soil stabilization. EQR received an “Appreciation for Excellent Service” award from the City of Wilmington as well as the IECA’s Erosion Control Contactor of the Year honor.

Gunpowder Falls at Cromwell Bridge Road: Bank Stabilization

Project Manager: Joe Humbertson
Client: Baltimore County DEPRM
Project Completed: July 6, 2009
Original Contract Amount: $1,471,911.09
Contract Duration: September 2, 2008 to July 6, 2009

The Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management contracted Environmental Quality Resources, LLC to restore approximately 1,200 linear feet of the Gunpowder Falls and 850 linear feet of Satyr Hill Branch.

Restoration work included extensive channel re-alignments, installation of stone grade control structures, stone placement for streambank toe and slope protection, streambank stabilization with soil stabilization matting, live stake installation, permanent seeding, and installation of streambank riparian plantings.

Parish/Idlewilde DMP Site Reclamation

Project Manager: Joe Humbertson
Client: Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Completion Date: January 7, 2009
Original Contract Amount: $1,685,360.18
Duration: June 2, 2008 to January 7, 2009 – 220 calendar days


Anne Arundel County, Maryland contracted Environmental Quality Resources to excavate and maintenance a DMP (Dredge Material Placement) site. The scope of the work included excavation and hauling of over 70,000 cubic yards of existing dredge material to a dump site, relining the DMP with WaterSaver Pondline to prevent contamination of the surrounding soil, and improving the drainage of the site.

Drainage of the reclaimed site is now facilitated by an 18” CPP advanced drainage system tied to the ground by earth anchors. The saturated material was hauled inland to create room for additional dredge spoils from the surrounding creeks. EQR was able to preserve and protect the surrounding shoreline wetland ecosystem.

Marten's Property: Reforestation Planting

Project Manager: Chris Mourlas
Client: Toll Brothers
Completion Date: July 31, 2006
Original Contract Amount: $234,761.00
Project Duration: May 24, 2006 to July 31, 2006


Toll Brothers contracted Environmental Quality Resources,LLC to reforest an area in Montgomery County. Approximately 5,300 native plants including trees, shrubs, and grasses were implemented on the site based on their hydrologic requirements. Before installation of the new plants could begin, EQR conducted an invasive species control of the area to remove all existing non-native plant material.

Factors including 100-year-flood conditions and beavers damaged the initial installation of plants and interpretive signage prompting additional costs and repairs. EQR resolved these issues and installed more plant material to increase biodiversity and today it is a well-established, forested wetland.

Donaldson Run Headwaters: Stream Restoration

Project Manager: Ken Williams
Client: Arlington Virginia Department of Environmental Services Utilities and Environmental Policy Division
Completion Date: February 9, 2007
Original Contract Amount: $245,810.40
Duration: December 11, 2006 to February 9, 2007 – 60 calendar days

The Department of Environmental Services, Utilities and Environmental Policy Division of Arlington, Virginia contracted Environmental Quality Resources, LLC to re-construct approximately 490 linear feet of Donaldson Run Stream. Located on private property within a steep forested stream valley with limited access, the project called for the restoration of a meandering channel and floodplain with installations of habitat and grade control structures including rock cross vanes and step-pools. Following the restoration of the stream, EQR planted a native riparian buffer along the banks as well as reforested select surrounding areas.

Calf Run at Sherman Ave and Woodland Ave: Stream Restoration

Project Manager: Kenneth Williams
Client: New Castle County Department of Special Services
Completion Date: March 23, 2009
Original Contract Amount: $140,307.66
Duration: November 24, 2008 to March 23, 2009 -120 calendar days


The New Castle County Department of Special Services selected
Environmental Quality Resources, LLC to stabilize a section of Calf Run between Sherman Avenue and Woodland Avenue located in New Castle County, Delaware. Restoration included the installation of a gabion wall, rock cross vanes, a rip-rap slope, and improved grading conditions along the length of the project area.

Goose Creek/Blue Wildlife: Stream Restoration

Project Manager: Kenneth Williams
Client: The Nature Conservancy
Completion Date: May 6, 2009
Private Contract Duration: November 24, 2008 to May 6, 2009


The Nature Conservancy selected Environmental Quality Resources, LLC and Williamsburg Environmental Group, Inc to re-configure approximately 8,050 linear feet of Bolling Branch and its tributaries, located near Delaplane in Fauquier County, Virginia. Restoration included stabilization of four tributaries that feed into the main channel and the creation of five acres of wetlands within the stream’s flood plain, and 1.5 acres of wetland enhancement.

Excavated soils had to be managed outside the floodplain to reduce the risk of contaminating the downstream channel. Over 3,000 tons of native stone was recycled from local construction projects to create ‘natural’ riffle grade controls. In addition, almost 60 acres of buffer was converted from a tall fescue pasture to a woodland floodplain buffer.