Text Box: New England Environmental, Inc. (NEE) was hired to complete wetland delineations at several sites in the City of Pittsfield that have been impacted by PCBs. The locations included Silver Lake near the center of the City, areas within an industrial park and areas near a housing development. Remedial activities within the wetlands and adjacent resource areas are proposed. The delineations were conducted to accurately calculate the area of impacts within wetlands and other resource areas. This information was necessary for the permitting process (Notice of Intent, Water Quality Certification) and in the development of NEE’s restoration design plans. These wetland delineations were completed using hydrophytic vegetation and the identification of obvious areas of water ponding and surface water flow as primary indicators of hydrology. Due to the PCB contamination, soils were used only minimally in the delineation process. Soils in non-impacted areas were used to prepare soil profiles for the wetland restoration to be implemented following removal of the impacted wetland soils. Delineations were completed daily and flagging information provided to the client within a day so that survey teams could follow the delineation work. Individual reports were completed immediately following the field work and provided to the client for inclusion in the permits being filed with local, state and federal agencies. In one case remediation will include the removal of 16,860 square feet of wetland soil, with NEE having delineated the area of work, assisted with the permitting, designed the restoration area, developed the invasive species control plan and selected the native plants for the restoration area.

This wetland area off Hope Street and was scheduled for remediation. NEE delineated the resource areas and designed the wetland restoration plan.  Approximately 16,860 square feet of wetland soil will be removed and restored followed by the installation of native wetland plants.

Wetland Delineations

General Electric

Pittsfield, MA

A view of Silver Lake near the center of Pittsfield. This lake received contaminated water in the past and is scheduled for remediation.  NEE delineated the wetlands associated with this 26 acre lake.

Wetland area delineated in an industrial park.  This site is located within the floodplain of the Housatonic River. The orange and black striped survey tape is NEE’s wetland flag.

CASE STUDY

Wetland Delineation and Assessment

A ponded area behind homes in northwest Pittsfield is near a lot which will be remediated to remove PCB impacted soils.