Intercounty Connector

Reference

Robert Shreeve, Environmental Project Manager 410-545-8644

Project Highlights

  • Natural Resource Inventory
  • Wetland Delineation and Functional Assessment
  • Natural Environmental Technical Report
  • Environmental Impact Statement
  • Water Quality Sampling - chemical & biological
  • Geomorphic Assessment
  • Mitigation
  • Environmental Stewardship Opportunities
  • Permitting

Project Details

The ICC includes Environmental Management of the design and construction of an access controlled, multi-modal roadway linking I-270 and I-95/US 1.

CRI acts as Environmental Manager for this sizable project and provides a wide range of environmental support and solutions. CRI researched, analyzed and wrote two sections of the Natural Environmental Technical Report (NETR) - Water Resources and Aquatic Biota and Wetlands and Waters of the US.

CRI researched, gathered, analyzed and summarized a substantial amount of existing data from many sources on water quality (chemical and biological), watershed characteristics, reservoirs, geomorphology, fisheries, brown trout, and wetlands within the study area watersheds, which include Muddy Branch, Rock Creek, North Branch Rock Creek, Northwest Branch, Paint Branch, Little Paint Branch, Indian Creek, and Bear Branch.

CRI conducted extensive field studies within the study area including chemical (both in-situ and laboratory analysis) and temperature sampling, macroinvertebrate and fish sampling, and geomorphic assessments to supplement the existing information on the streams. In addition, wetlands and waters of the US were delineated and located using GPS.

CRI led the field review of wetland boundaries with regulatory agencies and obtained a jurisdictional determination. CRI summarized the NETR information for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

CRI will address agency and public comments and any additional information obtained in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).

Mitigation

CRI conducted a mitigation site search for wetland and stream mitigation for unavoidable impacts (40- 57 acres of wetlands and 25,000-37,000 linear feet of stream) as well as environmental stewardship opportunities within the affected watersheds. CRI created a mitigation database documenting all existing mitigation site searches and applied a ranking system to prioritize the hundreds of sites investigated.

CRI provided full coordination of regulatory agencies, including agency field tours, and meeting minutes. CRI obtained regulatory agency concurrence on proposed Compensatory Mitigation and Environmental Stewardship packages for each design alternate.

CRI will be conducting natural resource inventories such as wetland delineations and RTE assessments at each identified mitigation site.

Stream Assessments

CRI conducted a broad range of environmental monitoring activities for ICC project NEPA documents, including providing assessments of existing stream conditions. We conducted geomorphic studies at each of forty stream reaches to evaluate existing geomorphic characteristics, including:

  • a longitudinal profile survey,
  • geomorphic mapping,
  • cross section survey,
  • pebble counts and
  • a modified rapid geomorphic assessment.

Data were analyzed, and the bankfull channel geometry, hydraulic characteristics, Rosgen stream classification, and stream stability of each reach were evaluated. The results of these evaluations were compared against existing data to analyze time trends and changes in channel characteristics.

CRI is currently conducting baseline monitoring to gather detailed geomorphic characteristics (Rosgen Level IV) to be used to design potential stream restoration projects proposed to mitigation ICC project related impacts. We are also conducting benthic macroinvertebrate sampling at 21 of these sites to establish existing biological conditions. The data will be used to establish a baseline for measuring overall success of the projects in improving water quality and aquatic conditions. CRI compiles results of monitoring into technical reports detailing methodologies and results.

Water Quality

CRI also conducted baseline biological and chemical monitoring in all study area watersheds. We obtained in-situ measurements at nineteen stations with a multi-probe meter and grab samples for lab analysis . At fifteen stations we conducted biological monitoring of benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, and habitat in accordance with MDNR MBSS stream monitoring protocols.

We performed identification of macroinvertebrates to genus in CRI’s in-house lab. CRI analyzed results of sampling using MBSS metrics for calculation of the fish and benthic indices of biotic integrity and the physical habitat index. CRI is currently conducting biological sampling up and downstream of twenty proposed stream crossings as a reference for future water quality monitoring during and after construction. The data will be used to evaluate the impact of the crossing on downstream biota and the effectiveness of environmental protections.

Permitting

CRI is in the process of coordinating all environmental permits for construction of the ICC project with regulatory and resources agencies. These permits include:

  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Section 404 Clean Water Act Permit
  • Maryland Department of the Environment - Approved Sediment and Erosion Control Plan Maryland Department of the Environment - Approved Stormwater Management Plan Maryland Department of the Environment - Water Quality Certification
  • Maryland Department of the Environment - Nontidal Wetland and Waterways Permit
  • Maryland Department of the Environment - Coastal Zone Management Program Federal Consistency Determination
  • Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Scenic and Wild Rivers Approval
  • Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Approved Reforestation Plan
  • Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Roadside Tree Permit
  • State Board of Public Works - Priority Funding Areas law compliance