Services

HRP was awarded the second phase of a Waterbury elementary school project, which included remediation of polluted sediments and environmental restoration for the former pond wetland complex located to the east of the school. Initially, HRP delineated on-site wetlands and watercourses in accordance with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (ACOE) methodology and the Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act. Delineation activities involved an on-site investigation by a qualified professional to observe and document the presence of wetland hydrology, vegetation, and soils. Once the regulated resources were identified and characterized, HRP assisted the City in preparing a permit application to the ACOE under the Clean Water Act. Project coordination with the CT DEEP was also conducted on behalf of the City. As required by the ACOE permit, HRP prepared wetland mitigation and invasive species control plans as a guide to restore and/or enhance wetland functions and values on the site.

The HRP team assisted the City with controlling the project budget, overseeing the remedial/mitigation contractors, and coordination with regulatory authorities. Remedial/mitigation measures in the pond were complicated by the presence of TSCA-regulated PCBs in the sediment, an antiquated masonry dam that needed to be removed, and significant dewatering/watercourse flow engineering. Despite these complications, the HRP team was able to complete the project ahead of schedule and under budget. The remediation work in the former industrial pond was completed in late 2015. Wetland mitigation efforts included restoring the watercourse to a meandering stream and floodplain complex, and planting a diverse wetland vegetation assemblage to restore the wetland to pre-colonial conditions.