Delineations

During the initiation of any project, it is necessary to have your site evaluated for wetlands. Avoiding this step can be costly, time consuming and may inhibit the development of the project. WHM has experienced professionals who can determine whether jurisdictional wetlands and waters exist within your proposed project.

Wetlands are those areas on the landscape that experience saturation or ponding for at least 5% of the growing season in most years, contain plants that are tolerant to periods of saturated conditions, and display evidence of hydric soils. These areas are subject to varying local, state and federal regulations.

WHM utilizes the most up-to-date technical methods to delineate wetland boundaries and prepare technical data and mapping for your project. Additionally, our professionals will provide recommendations to avoid and minimize water resource impacts in order to achieve your goals.

Mitigation

We have developed successful wetland mitigation sites throughout Pennsylvania. We carefully select and acquire properties suitable for wetland development by utilizing the most up-to-date Geographic Information Systems databases and software. Potential sites are initially identified through a desktop analysis, followed by an examination of hydrology, soils and feasibility analysis. Selecting the best mitigation site translates into a high probability of success using less construction effort to lower project costs. Our view, refreshingly different from most others is to examine the lifecycle costs of the mitigation site and provide insight to the client.

Design

Once a suitable site has been determined, WHM will create a conceptual design based on the overall shape of the landscape and the development of a hydrological water budget. Through computer-aided design, construction drawings are then developed illustrating phased construction activities, erosion-control practices and a complete planting and re-vegetation schedule.

Treatment

Constructed wetlands provide a cost-effective and long-term alternative solution for the treatment of excess nutrients, abandoned mine drainage, stormwater and various industrial wastewaters. WHM has designed and developed wetlands that utilize naturally occurring chemical and biological processes to remove contaminants prior to entering the watershed. This cutting-edge technology is typically developed through the design and construction of a series of aerobic and anaerobic wetlands. WHM has been successful in providing our clients with passive treatment systems that meet effluent discharge limits and treatment goals.

Passive treatment wetlands can also be utilized to gain nutrient credits for the reduction of in nutrient management programs, such as the Chesapeake Bay Strategy.