Transcript Sleepy Creek Watershed Association Riparian Planting Project

Sleepy Creek Watershed
Association Riparian
Planting Project
Gale Foulds,
Sleepy Creek Watershed Association
Barbie Elliott,
West Virginia Conservation Agency
Riparian Areas Resources and Strategies
December 3, 2008
Morgantown, WV
Planning

2004: Total Watershed Assessment
–
–
–
–
–
–
Percentages of landuse
Geology
Soils
Climate
Water Quality
Cooperative agreement with EPCD and Shepherd
University
– Partnered with NRCS and CVI for mapping and aerial
photos


2005 Streambank Survey of Lower half of
SC, the main stem w/o tributaries
2006:Streambank Survey in the 2
tributaries that make up the headwaters
Design

Asked for technical assistance
– Stream: ACF and Mid-Atlantic Chapter of
International Erosion Control Association
– Trees: WVDOF
 Helped
to determine species for first 2 plantings.
 SCWA chose the most successful trees from the last 3
plantings.
 Forester educated SCWA Board on layout for the
planting site and assisted with flagging the site for
auguring.
 Enlisted forester to demonstrate proper tree planting
technique.
Bell 2006


1st opportunity to utilize Chesapeake Bay Funds.
Using streambank survey results, 3 sites were
ranked for a possible streambank stabilization
workshop.
After consultation with erosion specialists the
Bell site was chosen.
– 10 foot Bio-Logs made of coconut fiber were used to
stabilize the eroding bank.
– 450 feet of coir fiber matting was installed along the
stream bank and then seeded with grass to aid in
revegetation.

After stream stabilization, partnered with EPCD
on a Forestry workshop to establish a 35 foot
wide riparian buffer the entire length of the
project.500 trees and shrubs were utilized.
Bell Project 2006
2nd site Lynch Summer 2006

1st Sleepy Creek Project Team Site:
– Under the Chesapeake Bay Program, West
Virginia's Potomac Tributary Strategy
Implementation Committee allocated $5,000
for stream bank stabilization.
– Site was chosen due to visibility, landowner
cooperation and budget match.

100 feet of streambank stabilization
– Articulated Concrete Block
– 1 Log Vane
– Planted 73 trees within the riparian area.
Lynch Project 2006
2007 Projects

Stream Partners Grant and NPS 1209
Funds: $4,000.00
 Dawson
Farm had an active hay producing field and
the buffer was not adequate. Installed 220 trees,
1,000 linear feet by 35 feet wide
 Staubert
Farm was chosen based upon need for bank
stabilization and landowner cooperation:45 Trees,
200 feet by 35 feet
 Tree
planting using 2-3 gallon pots
2007 Projects
2008 Sleepy Creek Bend



Chosen in conjunction with a Natural Stream
Restoration Project that was done by the WVCA.
Site chosen due to channel braiding and erosion
of bank near a state road.
High priority site when funds were made
available.
Stream Partners: $2,500 for riparian planting.
– Creek Bend: 145 trees on 385 linear feet with a 35 foot
buffer.
2008
Sleepy
Creek
Bend
Volunteers
 HOW:
– Active Board of Directors
– Averaging 20-30 volunteers for each
project
– Publicity in local newspaper, watershed
newspaper and word of mouth
Monitoring and Maintenance
Check sites for health of trees
 Replace tubes as needed
 Did not set up watering plans
 Planting times are important
 Nursery Stock is important
 Education is important to
landowner

Lessons Learned
Continue building and expanding
partnerships
 Build support from local businesses
 Plant more in fall, due to dry summers
 Consider deer pressure (deer browse)
 Augur holes in advance
 Deliver trees prior to event
 Provide supplies (Tools, tubes and mulch)
on site
 BE ORGANIZED!
