The grant was leveraged by matching funds and in-kind contributions. In addition to placing the riparian corridor into permanent conservation through deed restriction, Adawehi contributed a cash match for the project, grew native plantings to be used in the project and is providing volunteer hours to install the native plants. The Barbers have allowed construction access from their property and are facilitating access and construction of the project.

Joel Lenk is a professional geologist with Altamont Environmental and serves as manager on this project. Altamont has completed more than a dozen of these types of projects in the Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Lenk said, “Our team has trained extensively in natural channel design, which emphasizes incorporating natural elements and reusing materials. In addition to the technical objectives, one of the goals is to ensure visual continuity when materials are moved.”

Pearce Mottershead, CEO of South Core Environmental, described the care that is taken to use natural products. Mottershead pointed to the fabric covering parts of the bank and explained, “This fabric, called coir, is extracted from the husks of coconut; the coir will disintegrate fully in about three to six years, as the bank vegetation matures.”

Mottershead explained how ecology is considered throughout the construction. Even the stakes have an ecological story: eco-stakes look and function like regular construction stakes but are designed to safely biodegrade. Live stakes cut from living plants were from a variety of native plants such as silky and gray dogwoods and viburnum removed from the site, as well as those purchased from native nurseries. These live stakes, placed along the edge of the stream, will transform into stable vegetation as they mature.

Woody debris from the site is being used as fill to create appropriate stream channel positioning. Non-invasive grasses will be used as cover crops, holding the soil until the perennial herbaceous mix and native woody vegetation begins to thrive. When perennials and other transplants are added, the stream bank will look natural again.

Project construction is scheduled to be completed during the next few months.

If you would like to see a time-lapse video of a similar restoration project along the North Pacolet River, please visit www.altamontenvironmental.com.

– article submitted by Roulettei Gildersleeve