PACD Engineering Assistance

PACD Engineering Technical Assistance
January 2004 to February 2005
PA DEP Growing Greener Grant Final Report

AGRICULTURE …

AMD …

STREAM RESTORATION …

Introduction

The PACD Engineering Technical Assistance Program has been in existence since late 2001 when PACD received its first Growing Greener grant. The following report is an account of the work performed during the second PACD Growing Greener technical assistance grant from January 2004 to February 2005.

In October 2004, the PACD received matching funds from the federal USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide engineering technical assistance for the implementation of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP). These funds are not available to match projects related to stream restoration or abandoned mine drainage.

To receive engineering assistance, a qualified applicant begins by submitting an application form that is readily available at the PACD website http://www.pacd.org/products/tag_application.htm. Qualified applicants for Growing Greener assistance are watershed organizations, county conservation districts, non-profit organizations, counties, municipalities, and their subdivisions, and educational institutions. Upon receipt of a new Growing Greener request, PACD staff reviews the application and notifies (via Email) the DEP Growing Greener grant advisor, DEP watershed managers, DEP mining district (if applicable), county watershed specialist, and NRCS district conservationist to determine eligibility and reduce possible work redundancies. If the project is deemed eligible it is entered on the agenda for the workload advisory team. Applicants for CNMP assistance must qualify under NRCS requirements.

The next step is priority ranking by the workload advisory team. This team consists of NRCS, DEP, RC&D, and county conservation district staff and meets quarterly or as needed to review and rank projects. Projects are ranked, based on a set of criteria, either high, medium, or low priority. Applicants are notified of the project ranking and the projects are then completed in the appropriate order.

Program Benefits

Statewide demand for PACD technical assistance has been very strong. Without the use of PACD technical assistance many of the projects would not have been completed. Some of the observed benefits of the program and benefits of continued dedicated funding for the program are:

NRCS Standards are Met - Every project that is completed is checked for compliance with NRCS standards and specifications.

Team Building and Partnering - Individuals from various local organizations come together with PACD technical assistance to form a team that can often accomplish much more than any individual. The relationships that are being built with local conservation organizations will ensure successful future projects. Many of the projects that are currently funded will benefit from having the PACD staff that assisted with preliminary design work follow the project through to completion.

Increased Capacity at the Local Level - The availability of PACD technical assistance allows local personnel to focus on other items, increasing the amount of work and number of projects that can be completed. PACD training has also helped increase the knowledge base of many local conservation groups so that they may have a broader understanding of conservation practices and design elements.

Quick Turnover of Work - PACD staff can respond to unforeseen situations and provide technical assistance on a very short time frame and make themselves available to local conservation groups who urgently need technical assistance.

Attention to Detail and Follow Up - Once a project is released to a sponsor, PACD staff makes every effort to ensure that the project will be properly constructed, monitored, operated, and maintained.

Utilization of Sponsor Assets - PACD staff makes an effort to use adequately trained local staff whenever possible. If a local person has surveying knowledge, we invite him to participate in the topographic survey. This allows PACD to do more and gets local personnel actively involved in their project planning, which enhances their understanding and satisfaction when the project is completed.

Small Projects Receive Same Attention as Large Projects - Since all projects are planned to meet NRCS specifications, small projects receive a level of attention that may not be available elsewhere. This helps keep small projects from becoming big headaches.

Specialized Knowledge and Experience - PACD staff has developed a large amount of specialized technical knowledge over the course of the PACD Engineering Technical Assistance program that can be put to use to benefit future projects. Much of the knowledge gained by PACD staff during this time is uncommon to traditional engineering disciplines.

Development of Sound Applications - PACD staff is able to assist future Growing Greener applicants in the development of sound applications. The PACD staff is available to provide technical assistance for an Inventory and Evaluation (I&E) to investigate a potential problem and recommend improvements. The I&E also includes the preparation of cost estimates for grant applications and assists DEP to make better estimations of the use of its grant dollars. In addition, the PACD staff provides unbiased assessments of projects because they are not seeking additional contractual work from the applicant through the approval of the grant.

In Case "Something Comes Up" - Providing technical assistance ensures that when a circumstance arises that was initially unforeseen, the obstacle can be overcome and the project still successfully completed. There have been many projects over the course of the technical assistance program that would not have been completed were it not for PACD technical assistance.

Components of Work Performed

There are eight components to the assistance provided through the PACD engineering assistance program. These eight components are:

Inventory and Evaluation - Inventory and evaluations (I&E) involve the investigation of a potential problem and the recommended improvements. The typical procedure involves a site visit, photographs, and report preparation, which usually contains a narrative, sketch plan and cost estimates. I&E reports are prepared for most projects and act to put all project stakeholders on the same page with regard to how the final design will function and the cost. The report is presented to the stakeholders to determine modification of the report and the suitability of the project for future action. The I&E phase is critical to the success of the project and reduces the number of redesigns performed by PACD staff. It is also an excellent place to start for preparing a new grant application.

Topographic Survey - Topographic surveys are performed to establish the base mapping for a proposed project and ground control for construction. Property boundary surveys are not being performed because they must be performed by a licensed professional surveyor. PACD staff is equipped with total stations and data collectors to conduct surveys at the regional technical centers. PACD has made an effort to use qualified sponsor staff whenever possible to complete topographic surveys.

Soils Investigation - Soil investigations involve the mobilization of excavation equipment to dig test pits in key design locations to determine unknown subsurface conditions. Typical key features identified are the presence of groundwater, bedrock, and existing soil types. Test pits are excavated to a depth of two feet below the lowest elevation of a proposed structure. Identified soil types are checked for suitable strength, bearing capacity, and permeability. Soils investigations are performed for agricultural waste facilities filter areas, AMD ponds, or any other project where unknown soil conditions could present a problem.

Design and Specifications - Designs and specifications are prepared only after sufficient preliminary work has been done and all stakeholders agree on the proposed approach to eliminate recreation of detailed designs. Designs involve the creation of detailed AutoCAD drawings, specifications, quantities, cost estimates, and calculations. All design work is prepared using Section IV of the PA Technical Guide or the NRCS National Engineering Handbook's federal specifications and are checked and approved by the NRCS area engineer. PACD staff strives to collaborate with all available local expertise and technical personnel to create the most beneficial and cost effective project possible.

Construction Quality Assurance - Before a final design is approved, a quality assurance plan is prepared by PACD staff and becomes part of the finished product. Implementation of the quality assurance plan may be provided by PACD staff or through the education of qualified personnel at the local office. PACD is typically involved with pre-bid meetings, pre-construction meetings, answering contractor questions, resolving conflicts in the field, and on-site spot checks during construction. Site layout and as-built drawings may also be provided as part of the construction quality assurance process.

Technical Reviews - PACD also provides technical review of work performed by others. Technical reviews can help local consultants and personnel evaluate proposed alternatives or add value to projects through innovative design. Technical reviews are performed with an emphasis on meeting the requirements of the NRCS technical guide for conservation practices.

Training - Training can be provided to any qualified applicant for any of the technical areas PACD performs work. Training may also be provided for the operation and maintenance of a specific project or on innovative design or construction techniques developed by PACD staff. In the past, PACD has provided training for the operation of AMD facilities, agricultural BMP design, survey, and AutoCAD use. Training can be a useful tool for increasing capacity and education at the local level.

Watershed Assessment - Assistance can be provided for eligible sponsors developing a watershed assessment or restoration plan. This may involve identifying problems and solutions within a watershed or help developing methodologies for sampling and study of a watershed. An example of watershed assessment assistance would be painting bridge gauges on large watersheds to allow the collection of flow data during times when no other method would be appropriate.

PACD Statewide Technical Assistance

Since January of 2004, PACD has provided technical assistance for a variety of local projects as part of the second PACD TAG grant. It is estimated that PACD technical assistance has been involved with three million dollars worth of environmental improvement projects during this grant period. PACD has completed 72 individual projects statewide of the agricultural, abandoned mine drainage, stream corridor restoration, and miscellaneous type. The following graph shows the percentage of each project type in relation to total projects completed:

The graphs below show the percentage of each project type in relation to total projects completed by each PACD technical center:

PACD Northwest (Clarion)

Staff: Justin Griebel, Conservation Technician

Location: NRCS Technical Center, Clarion PA

Case Study - Depp Stream Bank Stabilization Project - Foundry Run, Jefferson County Conservation District, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania

The Depp stream bank stabilization project has great significance due to the property at stake. The stream is very unstable and has been encroaching on the land owners garage and home. To address the landowners request for a natural solution, the top one-third of all rock riprap was covered with topsoil and seeded to facilitate a naturally aesthetic BMP whose structural integrity was not compromised. To ease the pressure on the stream bank the radius of curvature was increased along the problem area and to provide protection, BMP's such as rock riprap and stream barbs were incorporated. Treatment of the stream banks included biomat, seeding and tree planting.

Technical assistance included an inventory and evaluation of the site, site survey, design and specifications preparation, and construction quality assurance. Permitting was also obtained through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Civil Engineers.

Photos Taken During Construction

The ultimate goal was to stop the loss of private land being eroded into the stream, and thus improve the water quality and habitat in Foundry Run.

PACD Northwest (Clarion) Project Listing

The following list contains projects completed by the PACD Clarion Technical Assistance office during the Growing Greener grant period of January 2004 to February 2005. Smaller components or partially completed projects have been omitted from the list.

Frew Farm - Lawrence County - Milk house waste water collection, waste transfer system with grass filter, roofed manure stacking structure, storm water management.

Blinn / Dean Farm - Lawrence County - Heavy use area stabilization, stream crossing, waste storage structure, roofed concrete feeding area.

Henry Farm - Lawrence County - Milk house waste water collection, waste transfer system with grass filter.

Meabon Farm - Erie County- Milk house waste water collection, waste transfer system with grass filter, manure waste water collection, storm water management.

Baker Creek Watershed Association - Erie County - Creation of riparian storm water infiltration and bio-retention zones along a stream in the borough of North East.

Bush Farm - Erie County - Milk house waste water collection, waste transfer system with grass filter.

Rockview State Correctional Institute - Centre County - Design update of siphon and meter boxes to monitor the efficiency of a wetland waste water treatment system.

Mark Tice - Centre County - Heavy use area stabilization and concrete feeding area.

Mark Kaufman - Centre County - Roofed heavy use area, cattle walkway stabilization, and storm water management.

Cooney Farm - Potter County - Roofed heavy use area and storm water management.

Currier Farm - Potter County - Heavy use area stabilization, storm water management manure waste water collection, and waste transfer system with grass filter.

Depp Stream bank Stabilization - Jefferson County - Stream bank stabilization of Foundry Run.

Conifer II - Jefferson County - Reclamation of ten acres of abandoned strip mines and surface water management.

McCullogh Farm - Mercer County - Water supply system for livestock through solar energy pump initiative.

Smith Farm - Jefferson County - Supplying water to stock through solar energy pump initiative.

PACD Southwest (Somerset)

Staff: Eric Robertson, PE, Conservation Engineer
Phil Gardner, Conservation Technician

Location: NRCS Technical Center, Somerset PA

Case Study - Latrobe Foundation Borehole, Loyalhanna Watershed Association, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

The Loyalhanna Watershed Association had planned to conduct a borehole on property owned by the Latrobe Foundation in order to examine the effects of pressure relief on existing discharges. It was estimated that three major discharges could be relocated to the Latrobe Foundation property where there exists sufficient space for treatment. The three discharges are located in areas where treatment is not an option including one discharge in the center of Loyalhanna Creek.

Before drilling could occur, some provisions had to be made for the raw mine water that would be produced including conveyance and a holding pond. PACD has provided inventory and evaluations, cost estimates, designs and specifications, and construction quality assurance for the project

Photos Taken During Construction

Because no funding for design of the collection, conveyance, and treatment had been accounted for in the grant for the first phase of the project, PACD technical assistance was essential to this project. PACD was also able to perform the work on a compressed time schedule while adding value engineering to complete construction within the original grant budget. If the borehole works to lower the mine pool and eliminate or reduce the other three discharges, a phase two will be constructed at the site to fully treat the large volume of mine water generated by the borehole.

PACD Southwest (Somerset) Project Listing

The following list contains projects completed by the PACD Somerset Technical Assistance office during the Growing Greener grant period of January 2004 to February 2005. Smaller components or partially completed projects have been omitted from the list.

Krug Farm - Cambria County - Redesign of an agricultural and milkhouse waste storage facility.

Hoover Farm - Cambria County - Redesign of an agricultural and milk-house waste storage facility.

Lucerne 3A Discharge - Indiana County - Inventory and evaluation and preliminary design for an AMD passive treatment facility.

Loraine Refuse - Cambria County - Construction quality assurance for stream relocation and AMD passive treatment.

Isenberg Farm - Indiana County - Roofed heavy use area.

Bracken Farm - Indiana County - Roofed heavy use area.

Shade Skating Pond - Somerset County - Passive AMD treatment in an existing recreational area.

Morgan Run Discharge - Fayette County - Technical reviews for an AMD passive treatment facility.

Donegal Highlands - Westmoreland County - Stream restoration and stabilization project on golf course involving approximately one mile of Jacobs Creek.

Reitz #1 Discharge - Somerset County - Passive AMD treatment facility.

Apollo Spring Church Sportsman's Club - Armstrong County - Inventory and evaluation for recreational lake improvements.

Coalmont Bridge - Huntingdon County - Construction quality assurance for an FGM project.

Onstead Discharge - Somerset County - Construction quality assurance and as-built drawings for an AMD passive treatment facility.

Morris Township - Greene County - Stream bank stabilization.

Latrobe Foundation Borehole - Westmoreland County - Design and construction quality assurance for an AMD passive treatment facility.

Boswell Discharge - Somerset County - Technical reviews for an AMD passive treatment facility.

Permapress AMD - Fayette County - Construction quality assurance for an AMD passive treatment facility.

Turtle Creek - Allegheny County - Emergency stream bank repairs.

Martin Farm - Indiana County - Design of an agricultural waste storage facility.

Laughlin Farm - Fulton County - Survey and design for a rotational grazing watering system.

PACD Southeast (Lebanon)

Staff: Frank Harvatine, Conservation Technician

Location: NRCS Technical Center, Lebanon PA

Case Study - Rebuck Farm, Franklin County Conservation District, Franklin County, Pennsylvania

The Franklin County Conservation District submitted a Growing Greener grant application to implement agricultural best management practices at the Rebuck Farm, a 60 cow dairy farm in rural Franklin County.

Stream Before and After Crossing Installed

Many best management practices were implemented on the farm including roof gutters and underground outlet, stream crossing and fencing, barn yard runoff control and milk center waste water disposal with grass filter strip.

Barnyard Before and After Stabilization

PACD completed survey, design and specs, soils investigations, and construction quality assurance for the project.

PACD Southeast (Lebanon) Project Listing

The following list contains projects completed by the PACD Lebanon Technical Assistance office during the Growing Greener grant period of January 2004 to February 2005. Smaller components or partially completed projects have been omitted from the list.

Wisner Farm - Adams County - Manure storage, barnyard stabilization, waste transfer, stream bank fencing, and roof water control.

Ramer Farm - Cumberland County - Manure storage, barnyard stabilization, and grass filter area.

Anderson Farm - Franklin County - Manure storage, barnyard stabilization, waste transfer, grass filter area, and roof water control.

Wildasin Farm - Franklin County - Manure storage and barnyard stabilization.

Sheetz Farm - Franklin County - Manure storage, barnyard stabilization, grass filter area, and roof water control.

Mercer View Farm - Franklin County - Silage leachate control.

Goetz Farm - Franklin County - Manure storage, barnyard stabilization, grass filter area, and roof water control.

Myers Farm - Franklin County - Manure storage and waste transfer.

Harshman Farm - Franklin County - Manure storage, barnyard stabilization, roof water control, silage leachate control, and stream bank fencing.

Hawryluk Farm - Lebanon County - Barnyard stabilization, diversion, roof water control, stream bank fencing, and basin.

King Farm - Dauphin County - Agricultural crossing and rock riprap.

Lapp Farm - Dauphin County - Agricultural crossing.

Lantz Farm - Dauphin County - Barnyard stabilization, roof water control, grass filter area, silage leachate, and stream bank fencing.

Brandt Farm - Lebanon County - Manure storage and barnyard stabilization.

PACD Northeast (Bloomsburg)

Staff: John Coleman, Conservation Engineering Specialist
Owen Hess, Conservation Technician

Location: NRCS Technical Center, Bloomsburg PA

Case Study - Calkins Creek Agricultural BMPs, Wayne County Conservation District, Wayne County, Pennsylvania

The Wayne County Conservation District received Growing Greener funds in excess of one million dollars to address agricultural concerns within the Calkins Creek watershed. The primary objective of this project is to alleviate the environmental impacts of agricultural runoff from dozens of farms throughout the watershed. This project utilized the technical support of both NRCS and PACD to develop designs for each site of concern over the last three years. The following list of farms finalizes the PACD technical involvement with this ambitious effort to implement agricultural best management practices throughout the Calkins Creek watershed.

Before and After Photos

PACD has provided technical assistance as part of this project on three separate farms (two dairy farms and one beef farm). Technical assistance has included inventory and evaluation, survey, design, and construction quality assurance. The project has included 23 separate agricultural best management practices.

PACD Northeast (Bloomsburg) Project Listing

The following list contains projects completed by the PACD Bloomsburg Technical Assistance office during the Growing Greener grant period of January 2004 to February 2005. Smaller components or partially completed projects have been omitted from the list.

Bryant Farm - Wayne County - Heavy Use Area, Rock-lined Waterway, Fencing, Filter Area, Diversion, Roof Runoff Control, Underground Outlet, Critical Seeding, Access Road, and Subsurface Drainage.

Amos Rutledge Farm - Wayne County - Heavy use area, Access Road, Fencing, Filter Area, Watering Facility, and Critical Seeding.

Robert Rutledge Farm - Wayne County - Heavy Use Area, Grassed Waterway, Fencing, Filter Area, Roof Runoff Control, Access Road, Underground Outlet, Critical Seeding, and Subsurface Drainage.

Chamberlain Farm Site #2 - Tioga County - Manure Storage Area, Filter Area, and Critical Seeding.

Sherman Farm - Tioga County - Manure Storage Structure, Filter Area, and Critical Seeding, Roof Runoff Control, underground Outlet.

Callow Hill Run - Bradford County - Stream corridor restoration.

Bentley Creek - Bradford County - Stream corridor restoration.

Cowanesque Creek - Tioga County - Stream corridor restoration.

Towanda Creek - Bradford County - Stream corridor restoration.

Sugar Run Creek - Bradford County - Stream corridor restoration.

Twin Falls Creek - Pike County - Stream corridor restoration.

Mahoning Creek - Montour County - Stream corridor restoration,

Lackawaxen River - Pike County - Stream corridor restoration.

Martins Creek - Susquehanna County - Stream corridor restoration.

Choconut Creek - Susquehanna County - Stream corridor restoration.

Auldenried Tunnel - Schuylkill County - Technical AMD design reviews.

Twin and Walker Creek - Pike County - Stormwater management.

Summary

The funds provided for statewide engineering assistance through the Growing Greener grant program have enabled the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts to complete 72 individual environmental improvement projects throughout the state of Pennsylvania during the last year, totaling an estimated three million dollars worth of improvements.