Conceptual Mitigation Plan for Riparian Zone Restoration

1 Conceptual Mitigation plan for Riparian Zone Restoration Project # 447-942 Presented to: Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. Box 229 Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44096-0229 Prepared by: EnviroScience, Inc., 3781 Darrow Road, Stow, Ohio 44224-4035 (800) 940-4025 December, 2003 Preface Funding for this project has been provided by a grant from the Coastal Zone Management Act, administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Ohio Coastal Management Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Office of Coastal Management. EnviroScience expresses sincere appreciation to Ms. Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells and Ms. Amy Holtshouse of Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. for selecting our firm to perform this exciting study, and supporting us by investing hours of research, coordination, and fieldwork. Special thanks are also extended to the numerous property owners who allowed us to access and survey their streams, as well as the following municipalities that were involved in the study: City of Chardon City of Wickliffe Chardon Township Munson Township Russell Township South Russell Village Executive Summary The proposed projects are intended to serve as part or all of Mitigation requirements for stream impacts associated with separate projects within the Chagrin River watershed.

2 The purpose of the Conceptual plan is intended to guide applicants and facilitate obtaining approval from regulatory agencies to proceed. Although, this Conceptual plan provides a direction and Conceptual approach based on initial site information, further evaluation and analysis of the project area will be necessary to ensure project success. This Conceptual plan is a generalized plan designed to reestablished or enhance Riparian areas of six sites. This plan could also potentially serve as a Restoration plan for other applicable sites within the watershed, which were previously unknown or unavailable. The goal of each project is to restore or enhance Riparian areas within the Chagrin River watershed utilizing only native vegetation in a natural planting scheme to promote site aesthetics as well as water quality functionality. Furthermore, project goals should attempt to maximize Riparian planting areas while simultaneously balancing the needs of surrounding land-use, recreational opportunities and the interests of stakeholders.

3 The Mitigation plan details a three-zone Riparian buffer approach (USDA 1997). This system is designed to be flexible, to meet the needs of landowners while providing water quality benefits. The plan also provides methods for planting in areas where a three-zone approach may not be feasible due to individual project constraints. Lists of suggested native tree, shrub and seed mixes are provided as well as cost estimates for purchasing and installation. Information regarding timing and plan implementation are addressed. Details of planting densities and a representative natural random planting scheme are also provided. Estimate project costs range from approximately $8,000 to $130,000. Costs do not include annual monitoring for five years to determine survivability and growth, which is approximately $16,000. Monitoring estimates are based on an annual site visit for one individual for 4 hrs. at $ to collect field data. This cost also includes annual report preparation of one week at a rate of $ EnviroScience Inc.

4 Chagrin River Watershed Partners Page 4 Conceptual Mitigation plan for Riparian Buffer Enhancement Site Overview The proposed project is intended to serve as part or all of Mitigation requirements for stream impacts associated with another project within the Chagrin River watershed. The purpose of the Conceptual plan is intended to guide applicants and facilitate obtaining approval from regulatory agencies to proceed. Although, this Conceptual plan provides a direction and Conceptual approach based on initial site information, further evaluation and analysis of the project area will be necessary to ensure project success. This Conceptual Mitigation plan is a generalized plan designed to reestablished or enhance Riparian areas of six sites (Table 1) within the Chagrin river watershed. This plan could also potentially serve as a Mitigation plan for additional sites within the watershed, which were previously unknown or unavailable. Generalized locations of potential Mitigation sites are located on Map 1; Appendix A.

5 Representative photos of each potential site are provided in Appendix B, followed by a brief site description, Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. (CRWP) should be contacted for further details. Table 1. Potential Mitigation Sites Site Municipality Estimated length ( ) 9 Russell 560 11 Chardon 600 20 Russell 400 52 Wickliffe 565 57 Munson 1,050 61 Russell 1,080 The Riparian zone or Riparian buffer is the area of trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation existing along streams, rivers and drainage ways. This vegetation protects open water from runoff and adjacent land uses. These buffer areas reduce soil loss, stabilize banks, absorb nutrient runoff, moderate temperatures and provide habitat for insects and terrestrial wildlife. Through these functions Riparian areas provide flood control, erosion control and water quality protection.

6 Without Riparian buffers, streams become susceptible to bank erosion and warmer water temperatures which decreases biological and water quality potential. As a State Scenic River, the Chagrin River relies heavily on the quality of its contributing waters. Riparian buffers are vital for good water quality. Many impacts to these areas can be reversed with stewardship, change of management practice or the re-construction of historical buffers. Although impacts from these potential Mitigation areas may be offset by the cumulative inputs of the entire Chagrin River watershed, the ability and opportunity to restore even a small area should be held in high priority. These areas will no longer become a negative point source but rather add to the positive water quality source for the watershed. EnviroScience Inc. Chagrin River Watershed Partners Page 5 Project Goal The goal of the projects are the permanent Restoration or enhancement of the Riparian areas within the Chagrin River watershed utilizing only native species in a natural planting scheme to promote site aesthetics as well as functionality.

7 Furthermore, project goals should attempt to maximize Riparian plantings while simultaneously balancing the needs of surrounding land-use, recreational opportunity and the interests of all stakeholders. Benefits There are numerous project benefits associated with this particular type of Restoration . They are: C Temperature moderation C Decreased bank erosion C Decreased downstream sedimentation C Preservation of existing floodplains C Increased aquatic and terrestrial habitat C Increased bank stability C Creation of educational and interactive examples of Riparian function C Improved aesthetic conditions C Nutrient runoff absorption Restoration Approach Prior to any Restoration effort, it is recommended to establish communication with all oversight agencies and shareholders to formally address Restoration goals. This facilitates focused, creative, and cost effective problem solving throughout the entire Restoration process.

8 Conservation easements must be established on the project areas, therefore, a willing easement holder must be located. Organizations that may be willing to accept an easement include Chagrin River Land Conservancy, the county Natural Resource Conservation Service, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, park districts and conservation groups. A common model for Riparian zone creation is the three-zone approach (USDA 1997). This system is designed to be flexible to meet the needs of adjacent landowners while providing water quality benefits. While the three-zone approach may not be applicable to every project it provides a good example of species planting schemes. Zone 1 is a 15-25 ft area closest to the waterway. It should be planted primarily with faster growing trees to quickly reduce soil erosion, nutrient run-off and provide shade and temperature moderation. If feasible and practical, willow cuttings should also be added to the stream banks at a spacing of 1/3 to provide rapid bank stabilization.

9 Zone 2 is located immediately outside of Zone 1 and is typically planted with slower growing hardwood trees and shrubs. This zone can vary depending on the particular project site but is typically 50-75 ft wide. Zone 3 is an area of grass and forb species, which acts as an initial filter and disperses water flow to minimize erosion. This area is generally 20-25 ft in width (Figure 1). Table 3 provides a list of suggested native grass and forb EnviroScience Inc. Chagrin River Watershed Partners Page 6 species suited to each zone. Due to the diversity of native seed mixes available on the market a specific mix was not suggested. Consulting landscape organizations are able to match appropriate seed mixes for each site and specific planting goal. Figure 1. Three-zone Riparian Buffer Approach Table 2. Materials and Labor Cost Table for Three-Zone Approach (Costs provided by Vizmeg Landscape, Inc., Stow, OH 44224, 330-686-0901) Contact George Vizmeg Zone Item Suggested Composition Quantity/Unit Material Cost Labor Cost Total Cost/Acre 1 Trees 300/acre $ $ $ Black willow Tulip tree Sycamore (native)

10 American basswood Cottonwood Shrubs willow (cuttings) 1/ 3 $ installed variable 2 Trees 300/acre $ $ $ Green/white ash Red/sugar maple Red/White oak Shrubs 1200/acre $ $ $19.