RK&K’s Environmental Water Resources team recently wrapped up two stream restoration projects in Cecil County, MD which were celebrated with ribbon-cutting ceremonies attended by community members who will directly benefit from their work.
Earlier this year, they completed the design and construction inspection services on the Bayview Interceptor Sewer Repair and Stream Restoration project for the Cecil County Department of Public Works (DPW).
Throughout this project, the team performed site evaluations and studies, developed concept plans, acquired all permits, and prepared construction documents within an identified approximate 2,200 linear foot reach of an unnamed tributary to Stony Run. The proposed stream restoration assisted the client with protecting approximately 1,500 feet of sewer line along the unnamed tributary while also working towards meeting state water quality standards and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) according to their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II permit requirements by eliminating existing stream bank erosion.
“The fact that our work was done predevelopment, but we were able to plan for future development and create a system that will be sustainable for the future as the landscape changes and also provide a healthy habitat for people’s future backyards makes it very unique,” said Project Engineer Rebecca Oaks, PE.
The team celebrated the completion of the Bayview Interceptor Sewer Repair and Stream Restoration project.
The second project was completed in October 2023 and was located within land owned by the Board of Education of Cecil County.
RK&K performed site evaluations and studies and developed concept plans and permits and prepared construction documents for the Cecil County DPW within an identified approximate 2,500 linear feet reach of an Unnamed Tributary to North East Creek.
The project provides a holistic watershed restoration approach including stream restoration, infiltration/filtering best management practices, and tree planting methods. This work is assisting the Cecil County DPW with working towards meeting state water quality standards and TMDLs according to their NPDES Phase II permit requirements by treating impervious areas and eliminating existing stream bank erosion that currently occurs within the noted reach of the Unnamed Tributary to North East Creek.
This project also featured landscaping with the neighboring Bayview Elementary School students and collaboration and coordination with the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transportation Authority on the upstream and downstream ends of the project to tie into their right-of-way and infrastructure.
“Completing this project has been extremely fulfilling. Learning about the construction process as it relates to stream restoration and being able to watch our design come to life, has helped me grow as an engineer,” said Engineer Jenn Zebley, EIT. “I’ve learned a lot of tips and tricks in the field that I’ll take with me as I help design future projects. Walking the site, you can already see numerous species making this project their home and I’m excited for this project to continue to flourish in the coming years.”
The CCPS Administrative Services Center Stream Restoration was completed in October 2023.
