GAI pro-actively worked with the West Virginia In-Lieu-Fee (ILF) Mitigation Program to identify and verify service areas that require mitigation credits to be offset by advanced credit sales. GAI then financed site identification and landowner investigations to secure surface rights on five known parcels owned by one landowner.

The mitigation site is situated on approximately 500 acres in the Tygart Valley Watershed, on an Unnamed Tributary of Teter Creek, and it will encompass approximately 15,400 linear feet (LF) of stream proposed to be restored, enhanced, or preserved. An additional 5.4 acres of wetland will be established or enhanced and another 35 acres of riparian vegetation buffer will be enhanced and protected.

After approval of the Concept Plan by the WVDEP committee board and receipt of a $5,000 grant, GAI moved forward to collect the baseline data collection, conduct topographic and geomorphic surveys, and hired a subconsultant to fly the site and prepare an aerial with LiDAR and contour mapping.

The site has currently been bid for construction, and upon completion, will provide biological and ecological uplift, riparian buffer enhancement, and restoration of resources within the Tygart Valley Watershed. Project highlights and deliverables include:

• 5,700 LF of Level I restoration or establishment;
• 4,900 LF of Level 3 restoration;
• 2,500 LF of enhancement;
• Design drawing package of 56 sheets, including plan, profile, and cross section views and design tables for 29 streams;
• Replacement of undersized culverts;
• Permitting and erosion and sediment control plan development; and
• Construction plans, specifications, and bid support.

Two areas to be restored as part of the project are shown in the photographs below. The projecting culvert is proposed to be replaced with an elliptical structure embedded at a lower elevation and milder slope. Stream relocation has been designed at the structure’s outlet and on the receiving stream to better promote hydraulic connectivity. The bank erosion is proposed to be fixed by replacement of the culvert and restoring the stream to a stable dimension, pattern, and profile.