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.

Ellerbe Creek: Stream Restoration

Project Manager: Joe Humbertson
Client: State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Ecosystem Enhancement Program
Completion Date: December 31, 2008
Original Contract Amount: $585,621.00
Duration: September 22, 2008 to December 31, 2008

The State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural
Resources contracted Environmental Quality Resources, LLC to relocate and stabilize approximately 2,500 linear feet of Ellerbe Creek as part of the state’s Ecosystem Enhancement Program as well as form new floodplains along the banks. Stabilization was facilitated by rock cross vane and rootwad stream structures. EQR establlished three wetland BMP sites and installed a new footbridge along the creek.

Ida Lee Park Outdoor Pool: Environmental Enhancements

Project Manager: Walter O’Connor III
Client: Town of Leesburg, Virginia
Completion Date: April 3, 2009
Original Contract Amount: $103,167.75
Duration: March 23, 2009 to April 3, 2009

The Town of Leesburg, Virginia contracted Environmental Quality Resources, LLC to enhance stormwater conveyance structures along the perimeter of Ida Lee Park in the Town of Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia. The structures included a series of rock cross vanes and step pool installations. EQR finalized the project by establishing riparian stream buffers and wetland meadow plantings.

Celanese/Warrior Run Dam Removal

Project Manager: Joe Humbertson
Client: The Allegany Soil Conservation District
Completion Date: December 12, 2008
Original Contract Amount: $131,850.00
Duration: October 14, 2008 to December 12, 2008 – 60 calendar days

The Allegany Soil Conservation District contracted Environmental Quality Resources, LLC to remove two dams on the site of the defunct Celanese Manufacturing Plant, in the vicinity of the North Branch of the Potomac River, upstream from Cumberland, near Cresaptown in Allegany County, Maryland.

The removal of the Celanese Dam, which spanned the Potomac River, required the excavation of nearly 1000 cubic yards of rock rip-rap and the creation of eight fish habitat structures in its place. A second site, along Warrior Run required the removal of a concrete dam, and the restoration of 350 linear feet of stream channel which included the installation of six rock cross vanes, grading, and native plantings.

Normandy Lane Force Main: Scufflefield Creek Crossing Emergency Repairs

Project Manager: Eric Goodrich
Client: Hampton Roads Sanitation District
Completion Date: 2007
Original Contract Amount: $564,000.00
Project Duration: 2006-2007

Hampton Roads Sanitation District contracted Environmental Quality Resources to enhance an existing wetland located near Virginia Beach, VA. In order to perform earthworks on the site, a barge had to be implemented to elevate the excavator since there was no stable dry land in the vicinity.

Following excavation, the border of the proposed wetland addition was encircled using 20” diameter EZ-logs stacked on top of one another in a pyramidal form to create an environmentally friendly retention wall. Local dredge material was then incorporated to fill the gap between existing conditions and the new edge line. Spartina alternifolia served as the stabilizer and habit enhancement plant material for the new wetland area.

Lower Spring Branch: Stream Restoration

Project Manager: Joe Humbertson
Client: Baltimore County DEPRM
Completed: October 7, 2008
Original Contract Amount: $872,939.37
Duration: July 7, 2008 to October 7, 2008

The Baltimore County DEPRM selected Environmental Quality Resources, LLC to restore a stretch of Lower Spring Branch parallel to Chapelwood Ln and bound by Pot Spring Rd on the upstream end and Dulaney Valley Rd at the downstream end, just north of Towson, Maryland. The pre-existing conditions consisted of a concrete channel that fed into an unprotected stream channel. The water was well contained by the channel.

However, downstream of the channel, severe undercutting of the banks occurred, slowly eroding away the properties of landowners along Chapelwood Dr. EQR removed the concrete channel and replaced it with a series of rock cross vanes, cobble material riffle structures, and armor stone bank protection which was tied into the existing concrete bridge culvert beneath Pot Spring Rd. Sinuous imbricated rock walls were implemented at the location of the most severe erosion to prevent any future undercutting by the force of stormwater.

In addition to the restoration of the main channel, four tributaries were stabilized and enhanced with log structure cross vanes. Where they intercepted Lower Spring Branch, their cross vanes were often tied into those of the main channel. Deep pools were also constructed at these outfalls to slow the velocity of the stormwater during rain events. Following construction, EQR planted native grasses and trees along the stream to naturalize it and encourage habitat creation.

Upper Paint Branch: Special Protection Area BMP Sites

Project Manager: Kenneth Williams
Client: Maryland State Highway Administration
Completion Date: July 1, 2009
Original Contract Amount: $476,087.08
Duration: November 18, 2008 to July 1, 2009 – 119 calendar days

The Maryland State Highway Administration contracted Environmental Quality Resources to install a series of biotrench BMPs within stormwater bioretention swales along Ansted Rd, Harold Rd, Kiva Rd, Fireside Dr, Redmiles Dr, Maydale Dr, Claude Ln, and Grandad Ln in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The trenches, which measured two feet wide by a minimum of four feet deep by variable lengths, were infilled with gravel and bioretention mix, and lined with sod. These trenches serve to mitigate the collection of stormwater by the swales, reduce the flow velocity of the water, thus cutting down its erosive capacity, and filter the collected water into the aquifer.

Monocacy Reforestation Planting

Project Manager: Chris Mourlas
Client: Utilities and Solid Waste Management Division Frederick County
Completion Date: December 8, 2006
Original Contract Amount: $171,869.00
Project Duration: November 6, 2006 to December 8, 2006 - 90 calendar days

The Utilities and Solid Waste Management Division Frederick County contracted Environmental Quality Resources, LLC to reforest a site adjacent to Interstate-70 and the Monacacy River in the suburbs of the City of Frederick, MD. It was an on-site mitigation for a new sewer line that was installed by Frederick County Public Works. Roughly 4,000 native plants were selected for the site that exhibited similar growth habits to those found in the area and provided watershed buffer and wildlife habitat to the existing ecosystem.

Holland Point: Revetments

Project Manager: Walter O’Connor III
Client: Holland Point Citizens Association, Inc
Completion Date: September 12, 2009
Contract Amount: $530,715.19
Project Duration: March 16, 2009 to September 12, 2009

The Holland Point Citizens Association, Inc contracted Environmental Quality Resources, LLC to construct approximately 2,665 linear feet of stone reinforcement repair between Maple Ave and Hemlock Ave in Anne Arundel County, MD.

The reinforcements are to be constructed in a way that they do not damage present pier and bulkhead piles. In addition, existing surface and subsurface drainage pipes are to be incorporated into the final structure. Utilizing six to eighteen-hundred pound armor stones, EQR is involved in the installation a continuous revetment along the site, following the removal of the existing bulkhead. Following construction, all disturbed ground is to be stabilized and restored.

APM Terminals: Tidal Wetland Mitigation

Project Manager: Rick Scaffidi
Client: APM Terminals North America, Inc
Completion Date: September 1, 2006
Original Contract Amount: $1,572,972.58
Project Duration: March 9, 2006 to September 1, 2006

APM Terminals North America, Inc contracted Environmental Quality Resources to establish and maintain four functional wetlands on-site in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The prime contractor for this job was Higgerson-Buchanan. The first site, designated as site ‘A’, required 23,000 cubic yards of excavation, bringing the site down to 10” below its final grade. This space was then filled with topsoil from an adjacent stockpile site. Site B required clearing and grubbing of 0.5 acres of phragmites that had to be hauled to a separate stockpile area.

Following this, EQR excavated 3850 cubic yards of material which was hauled to another adjacent site. This wetland was then filled with 4000 cubic yards of topsoil and graded to specifications. Wetland C wraps the east side of an existing stormwater management facility.

It also called out excavation, topsoil replacement, and grading. At the completion of grading and planting an existing berm was to be removed. Higgerson-Buchanan was responsible for earthworks in Wetland D followed by excavation and grading by EQR. Following earthworks, EQR planted the site with wet-cultured plant material and a hydroseed grass mix. Site maintenance ensued for two years following the project to monitor hydrology, phragmites competition, and wildlife predation.