St. Charles Wetland Mitigation Bank. Charles County, Maryland.
The goal is to re-develop the site into a mitigation bank with a range of wetland types. The mitigation credits generated would be used compensate for impacts to wetlands within the Lower Potomac Watershed.
The initial step was to conduct a detailed study of the existing soils, hydrology and hydrogeology. An array of groundwater wells was installed to monitor and evaluate the groundwater table. The wells were monitored with transducers and automated data loggers. In total, approximately 10 acres of wetland habitat would be preserved, enhanced or created on site. An upland buffer would be established around the site. A banking prospectus was prepared which presented the goals of the project, documented the results of the site feasibility study, and presented the conceptual design.
