Revitalizing An EPA Brownfield: Stormwater Master Planning, Habitat Rehabilitation, and Stream Restoration
Jessica Slagle
Timmons Group
Richmond, VA
More than 450,000 brownfields have been identified by the EPA in the U.S. for redevelopment and reuse, one of which is the South River within the City of Waynesboro, Virginia. Previously owned by Dupont, the river and surrounding areas have been impacted by industrial practices and the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants. In conjunction with the City of Waynesboro and Anhold Associates Landscape Architecture and Planning, Timmons Group has developed plans to rehabilitate the South River Preserve for recreation, habitat, and ecological uplift.
The site received funding as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) program to remediate mercury contamination downstream of a decommissioned DuPont facility. Given the state of the river and Brownfield requirements, many options were considered for implementation to improve water quality and wildlife habitat and create an area for the community to safely interact with the environment.
In addition, Rockfish Run was identified as a stream restoration opportunity for the City of Waynesboro, Virginia, in conjunction with the South River Preserve. Rockfish Run converges with the South River, and due to watershed development, it is contributing excessive sediment into the river. The stream has steep banks, exposed utilities, and lost recreational value within the City-owned park. The restoration will create ecological uplift and habitat for local wildlife, as well as improve utility conditions and provide educational opportunities.
About Jessica Slagle
Jessica Slagle is a Stormwater Project Engineer at Timmons Group in Richmond, Virginia and is a Virginia Tech Biological Systems Engineering Graduate. She has a passion for working outdoors and investigating a variety of stormwater processes and performing inspections. Jessica enjoys stream restoration analysis, design, and implementation, specifically for TMDL compliance. Stream restoration combines many of her interests, including problem solving, environmental rehabilitation, and creating ecological uplift within severely degraded systems.