CoreSound_Wetland_Restoration_narrative_final.pdf

Learning, Designing and Creating Natural Elements to Protect Water Quality on Back Sound
A joint project between
Core Sound and Waterfowl Museum
US National Park Service
Down East Middle School
Sub -basin: 03-02-03 (White Oak)
Hydrologic Unit: 03020301
Receiving Water: Lighthouse Channel/Back Sound, SA ORW
Project Narrative
This project involves the restoration and enhancement of a small wetland area in Harkers
Island, NC. The 0.3 acre project will be located at the entrance to the Core Sound Waterfowl
Museum & Heritage Center. The area is currently ditched, and drainage has impacted an
adjacent wetland area. The area does support some native wetland vegetation, but much of the
area has been taken over by invasives and upland species. Other human impacts over time have
contributed to the loss of wetland functions at this site. This project will attempt to reverse the
impacts of human intervention and drainage, and to restore functionality to the wetland area.
The plan for the site includes some minor earthwork to create wetland planting zones, drainage
controls, and a detailed planting plan to enhance the vegetative community.
This project is being pursued cooperatively as a demonstration and an educational site. The
design of the project is being led by Kris Bass Engineering, but will also include involvement
from NC State University students. The project development, installation, and process will be
completed cooperatively with the nearby Down East Middle School. It represents an excellent
opportunity to teach young students about environmental careers and the need for this
expertise close to home. Learning opportunities for students will include understanding the
natural science related to water quality protection, but will also explore related STEM careers
involved in a project like this. Resource management, engineering, soil sciences, landscape
planning and land use issues will all be incorporated in the planning, design and implement of
this project and students will have a chance to see these careers at work as they collaborate to
plan and develop this project.
Initial funding for this project and educational programs has been secured through a Duke
Energy grant. This project will be especially important to the local community, not only as a
protective measure for improving water quality, but as a community-based opportunity for the
new middle school. The completion of this project will provide an excellent opportunity for
Duke Energy, Core Sound and the Down East Middle School to work together on a highly visible
project for Down East.

Wetland Impacts
This project involves restoring and enhancing current wetlands located on the property. The
project will require excavating down a small portion of the two existing wetlands as well as
excavating an existing ditch to allow for flow through the wetland areas. The ditch maintenance
will include lowering the elevation of the area and adding two pools. The maintenance will also
include adding a stone check dam across an existing ditch to promote flow through the
proposed and existing wetland areas instead of allowing flow through the ditch. A small portion
of the existing wetlands will be lowered to promote better flow through the entirety of the
proposed wetland. The existing wetlands will be excavated down a maximum of six inches with
a majority of the existing wetlands not being excavated at all. The existing wetlands will also
receive supplemental plantings using known wetland plant species. The total impacted wetland
acreage from the proposed plan is 0.01 acres. The total impact on the existing ditch area will be
0.05 acres and will include the installation of two deep pools and a rock check dam.