Step 3 -- Special Projects

THE LONG TERM SOLUTION!

What is bioremediation? It is the only working long term solution to controling erosion. It requires several steps to get it established followed by minor management ever after that. Here is what it invovles.

Step 1: Remove any invasive species of plants.

Step 2: Remove any large trees from the areas of the riparian corridor that are in the way of grading the slope towards the creek.

Step 3: Grade the slope whenever possible to have an angle less than 45 degrees.

Step 4: Plant a diverse array of native herbs, grasses, plants, bushes, and trees appropriate for the area.

This diversity of plant life will offer all the ecosystem services (including soil ammending, decomposition, erosion prevention, habitat and food for wildlife, etc...).

This is the goal of the Deer Creek Project, to bioremediate deer creek at Chaminade.

		Removing Concrete

In an attempt to stop erosion and preserve the stream banks, earlier efforts poured concrete walls along the creek. The problem with this is that water still flows on both sides of the wall eventaully eroding out the soil the wall is supposed to be protecting at an even faster rate. These relicts are still standing (lying) in the creek and need to be removed. They continue to accelerate the erosion process as water, flowing along the smooth concrete sides, increases it's speed and therefore it's ability to carry away the soil.

We need to have these concrete structures removed or busted up in order to restore the creek and it's banks to a natural, more sustainable position.

		Removing some trees

Though it is one of the saddest parts of this project for me, some large trees, growing along the side of some the the worst erosion of the creek will have to be removed to allow for the grading of the soil in which they are growing. These trees will be replaced, of course, with other native trees that will allow us to increase the diversity of our woods, even though it will take years before their beauty may be able to contribute to the ecosystem and be appreciated. I believe that despite that, we have an obligation to think beyond ourselves and our own time to leave behind a legacy that shows that we care about our world and are willing to make sacrifices for those who will follow us.

		Grading of the Steep Slopes

Once we determine how much of the creek needs to be reworked, large bulldozers will be brought in to remove soil to put a more gentle grade (slope steepness) all along the creek. This will allow us to control the rate at which the water flows to and through the creek and allow us to reduce to a minimum the rate of erosion of the soil around the creek.

This will require the removal of some trees, the removal of concrete left over from previous failed attempts to control erosion, and the removal of some soil. Then, the heavy equipment will grade the slopes to less than 45 degrees so bioremediation can be put in place.