Compensatory Mitigation Projects: The Modern Engineers Toolbox
Robert Stewart, PhD, PE
Water and Land Solutions
Johnson City, TN
Compensatory Mitigation projects have become the largest economic engine for ecological restoration in the US. Large-scale restoration efforts. Large-scale projects, in particular, provide the economies of scale necessary to make compensatory mitigation projects fiscally sustainable. These large-scale mitigation projects require efficient data collection, processing, design, and implementation to provide a fiscally sustainable ecologic uplift. This presentation provides a window into the technology used to “engineer” complex riverine corridors that provide compensatory mitigation for unavoidable impacts to the waters of the US.
Technology is used across a wide range of industries to improve quality, quantity, and timelines of goods and services. Mitigation projects have embraced technology to increase ecologic uplift and reduce construction costs while minimizing exposure to risk. Technological advancements in survey, computer-aided design (CAD), hydraulic modelling, and machine control are coalesced by modern eco-engineers.
Accurate and timely real-world survey information is critical to starting projects as it assesses existing conditions and constraints from property boundaries to utilities. Advancements in survey include robotic total stations, Real-Time Kinetic Global Positioning System (RTK-GPS), rapidly deployable areal lidar, and even your personal cellular device. The forementioned survey technology allows for single-person geomorphic survey, high-definition topography on large parcels, tree diameters, and georeferenced pictures and data collection.
CAD is the tool that enables the designer to superimpose a restored ecology onto the survey-derived existing palate. CAD produces 3 dimensional surfaces, which are in turn used to evaluate designs using 2D hydraulic models and provide machine control files.
The greatest tool in the engineer’s toolbox is the interpersonal relationships and shared knowledge. The engineer effectively communicates with experts in the various fields of ecology. The modern engineer works with nature to help reestablish, restore, and enhance aquatic resources. Compensatory Mitigation is a tool the engineer utilizes to make the best use of Earth’s precious resources.
About Robert Stewart, PhD, PE
Dr. Stewart is a senior water resources engineer and ecosystem restoration designer with extensive experience working on private and public sector projects. He has expertise and multiple publications in the fields of open channel hydraulics, sediment transport, and fluvial geomorphology. Robert has worked on a variety of applied research and restoration projects in natural ecosystems and geographic provinces including the states of California, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. His project design experience includes existing conditions site survey, hydrologic and hydraulic modelling, stream and wetland design, species-specific habitat estimations, construction quality assurance, project management, as-built survey, and post construction project monitoring. Robert has over 35 miles of stream restoration design experience. Robert uses his expertise in 2D hydraulic modelling, sediment transport, and natural channel design principles to develop innovative sustainable ecosystem restoration solutions constrained by site-specific controls to meet project goals.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert0stewart0rlst0cec/