Message from the engineer on project design:

Thank you to those that have expressed concerns and provided detailed feedback regarding the Waterworks Park Stream Restoration Project. We recognize the value of the park to the Annapolis community and the respite it provides to humans and wildlife within shaded trails along a gradient of forest/plant community conditions.

 

Proposed tree removals to accommodate stream restoration activities consist only of felling trees necessary to implement stream restoration work extents, which are intentionally minimized along the existing stream channel corridor. Select, individual tree removals are proximate to the existing channel and immediately adjacent riparian areas. Of the 62 trees greater than 12-inch diameter at breast height (dbh) within the proposed limits of disturbance (LOD), 19 are proposed for removal to accommodate restoration work, while 43 are proposed to remain, which will be protected during construction. Project extents have been modified to accord with preliminary regulatory agency feedback. Most of the trees proposed for removal are dead/dying and mainly consist of species suited to mesic to upland soil moisture conditions including yellow-poplar, American beech, and red maple. It is worth noting that beech leaf disease (BLD), which harms existing American beech trees, continues to encroach in Maryland forests, potentially imperiling existing beech trees in the future. 

 

Historically, upland mid-Atlantic region forests within physiographic contexts similar to Waterworks Park were dominated by oak/hickory tree communities. Due to a century or more of widespread fire suppression, many forests have transitioned from oak/hickory to shade tolerant species, including American beech and red maple (Nowacki and Abrams 2008). Oaks and hickories are keystone canopy species as they provide shade and mast (food supply) for wildlife species endemic to Annapolis and nearby regions. Removing select individuals of these secondary/tertiary trees species (i.e., American beech, yellow-poplar, and red maple) will allow space for oak and hickory to return to the landscape in upland areas adjacent to the restored channel and floodplain system.

​

We anticipate a change in hydrologic conditions at the downstream extent of project work and in areas immediately adjacent to the restored channel in the upstream portion, which will affect tree canopy species composition as the wetland community is restored to provide habitat for wildlife suited to wetland conditions. There may be associated mortality of mesic/upland tree species along restored valley bottom areas, but proposed plant community restoration and associated herbivory protection measures will provide for species suited to restored hydrologic conditions within these relatively small areas. Furthermore, due to the steep valley conditions adjacent to the existing channel, restored system hydrology is anticipated to affect a narrow corridor of vegetation adjacent to the existing channel, which, as mentioned above, will be replanted with native trees and shrubs suited to anticipated conditions.    

 

Project extents encompass a small portion of the surrounding contiguous forest areas, much of which are occupied by degraded stream channel conditions that do not support forest due to hydraulic conditions within the LOD. The stream channel is overly wide and incised (deep) due to historic impacts associated with urban development and presumptive historic clearing, which is typical of similar Annapolis headwater stream systems. Within the LOD, the majority of existing tree canopy will be preserved in its current state and enhanced with proposed plant community restoration. Oak, hickory, and other hardwood tree species are emphasized in the project planting plan. Over 200 oaks consisting of native species are to be planted, as are over 400 hickory seedlings, which far exceed select tree removals to  accommodate stream restoration work. These trees will be supplemented with native shrub plantings to provide vertical diversity within proposed plant communities. All plantings will be protected by herbivory protection measures to promote localized reforestation associated with minor impacts as part of the stream restoration effort. Additionally, non-native invasive (NNI) species considerations are important in ecological restoration efforts. Observation of any new NNI species establishment and treatment as necessary are proposed for five years following project implementation to ensure native plant community establishment.

​

Can individual canopy trees can be saved through minor adjustments to the SPSC alignment, evaluated tree by tree rather than by corridor?

The design has taken into consideration restoration alignment to generally avoid forest impacts and specifically avoid individual trees. Some trees, much of which are mesic in terms of soil moisture tolerance, will be felled to allow space for proposed work from both access and design perspectives. Often during the construction phase, proposed tree fells may be avoided through coordination with the contractor; every effort will be taken to preserve existing trees. Of the 62 trees greater than 12-inch diameter at breast height (dbh) within the proposed limits of disturbance (LOD), 19 are proposed for removal to accommodate restoration work, while 43 are proposed to remain, which will be protected during construction. Of the 19 trees slated for removal, 3 are dead, 10 are poor to fair, and 6 are categorized as good or better.

 

Can trees unlikely to survive the change in hydrology can be left standing to soften the canopy edge rather than creating a hard break?

The design does not include provision to fell trees other than those directly interfering with restoration and access; trees will be left to remain as standing snags (see proposed tree saves within the limits of disturbance, which have been prioritized with design). Where fells are required, large woody material will be left on-site to contribute to habitat enhancement. 

 

Can the planting plan can include supplemental canopy plantings along new edges, aimed at closing the canopy back up over time?

This is absolutely our intent with the planting post-construction. We always seek to go above and beyond the regulatory requirements and plant additional trees throughout the project area. We will work with the engineer and selected contractors to ensure this remains a priority. Additionally, Arundel Rivers always requests additional grant funding to host supplemental tree plantings to engage community volunteers. These community plantings will work to fill in the canopy as well as bring in a greater diversity of site-appropriate native trees and shrubs to the project. 

 

In the reaches with valley-wide structures, what happens to the existing understory, and can those structures be scaled back in the sections where it is healthiest?

The lower project extents were reduced in length by approximately 400 linear feet in the updated Design Development plans  to correspond to preliminary regulatory feedback. Understory composition will likely be altered by proposed changes in hydrologic conditions and anticipated soil moisture. This will enhance and restore forested wetland hydrology. The site will be heavily planted with condition appropriate native trees and shrubs upon completion.  Valley-wide structures have been designed to minimize impacts to adjacent natural resource features.  The valley-wide structures will be installed fairly surgically, with very little disruption to the vegetation between the structures. 

 

Can a funded, long-term forest management and invasive control commitment can be attached to the project?

A long-term forest management and invasive control plan will be developed as a project deliverable in coordination with County and City project partners. A five-year post-project invasive control plan within the project limits will be funded with the implementation project. The City of Annapolis is committed to the ongoing long-term stewardship of Waterworks Park and its natural resources as its premier forested park maintained and operated by the Recreation & Parks Department. 

 

Doesn’t the stream in question just run between two ponds and not discharge directly into any other streams or rivers? Is there active erosion on site?

There is apparent rejuvenated bank erosion on the upper portions of the proposed restoration reach. It is apparent that sediment derived from bank erosional processes has deposited within downstream wetland areas; however, arrested degradational processes remain within the reach between Housley Road and the proposed downstream terminus of work. The channel remains incised with opportunity for perpetuated bank erosion within this reach given unstable channel geometry, which impacts ecological function by limiting adjacent wetland area improvement due to channel incision. The proposed design will alleviate this condition and contribute to a healthier transition between the channel, adjacent floodplain/floodprone areas, and upland areas beyond limits of disturbance. This remains an active process based on field observations. 

Waterworks Park is not a contained system. Water flows from the reservoir into a perennial stream that is part of the Broad Creek subwatershed of the South River. Water from this perennial stream flows directly into tidal Broad Creek.

​

Couldn’t stabilization structures (logs, rootwads, etc.) just be installed in the upper part of the reach while following the existing channel?

The upper reach is a higher energy/higher slope system mainly influenced by stormflows, which are increasingly higher intensity and unpredictable with climate change dynamics.. Stream grade control structures within similar systems more reliably consist of stone, which are more robust within similar high energy systems. Furthermore, while the stream exhibits perennial characteristics from a geomorphic standpoint, due to the influence of stormflows that contribute to baseflow, wood structures can be unpredictable with maintaining grade control with a higher likelihood of horizontal and vertical adjustments. Stone structures will ultimately provide more certainty in holding design elevations and reducing maintenance needs.  

 

Is the intent is to raise the water table and convert the existing forest to a flooded grassy wetland?  

For the upper reach with the step pools, no. At the lower portion of project extents, the stream’s slope is significantly reduced and adjacent floodprone area widens. Proposed downstream restoration extents will tie out into a diverse, multiple strata wetland community consisting of herbaceous, shrub, and small trees. The proposed grading and planting plan for this area are intended to provide a stable tie-out condition and correspond to existing vegetative community character. 

 

Is there any effort to control the runoff source, the upstream parking lots and stormwater pond? Could converting the stormwater pond to an infiltration system or otherwise reducing peak outflows prevent severe storms from  overwhelming anything done downstream? 

The pond is stable and functioning. Additional upstream runoff control is not anticipated to alleviate the channel erosion. The channel will not self repair.

 

Why is the City investing money in this project and not only projects identified in their WIP?

This project represents a model partnership between two local jurisdictions to address nutrient and sediment pollution to one of the most impaired tributaries on the South River. The City has and will continue to invest in projects across the jurisdiction to advance the goals identified in the WIP and comply with MS4 permitting and Bay TMDL regulations.