Matt Robbie To: David W. Payne; Jeff Loureiro; alehrer
13
From: Matt Robbie To: David W. Payne ; Jeff Loureiro ; [email protected]; PE LEED-AP Timothy O"Connor ; Eugenia Marks ([email protected]) ; Pete Escherich ([email protected]) ; Jane ; [email protected]; [email protected]; gary.jablonski ; Krasko, Anna ; Hoskins, Bart ; Deirdre T Dahlen ; Richardson, Norm ; "Lee Carbonneau" Cc: Mark Arrigo ; Horbert, Chuck (DEM) ; Personeus, Neal (DEM) ; Tim O"Connor ; [email protected]; Sara Barbuto ; Patrick Gwinn ; Jessica M. Tenzar Subject: Centredale OU3 Site Walk 4/1 Attachments: Figure_Centredale_OU3_SiteWalk_corrected_11x17.pdf OU3_Mitigation_TechMemo_20210331.pdf Reminder: Today at 1pm is the Centredale OU3 Sitewalk! Details below are for both in-person and remote participants. See you out there! Location: Allendale Avenue (east end), Johnston, RI – (for navigation directions, use 100 Allendale Avenue and be sure route takes you through Johnston!) When: Thursday, April 1 @ 1:00 – 3:00 PM ET Purpose: Site walk to view, visit and discuss Oxbow area cleanup and restoration plans in the field. Agenda: 1pm - Meeting at site trailer for overview and health & safety orientation (decontamination protocols required) Key question to ask during orientation: Are there specific agenda items, features to see or habitat restoration ideas you’d want to discuss in the field? 1:15 pm - tour/discuss upland site area and location of treatment facility 1:45 pm - Tour/discuss Oxbow forested area with views and access to wetlands 2:45 pm - Return to site trailer and discuss conceptual mitigation design Proportions of each habitat type Channel habitat Bank mitigation options Sitewalk Materials The attached PDF file titled “OU3_Mitigation_TechMemo_20210331.pdf” is a short memo with some tables and figures that provides the reader with a broad description of the following: * ecological predesign investigation work conducted in OU3 * existing habitats characteristics of OU3 * two concepts for mitigating OU3 after this portion of the site has been remediated. The PDF file titled”Figure_Centredale_OU3_SiteWalk_corrected_11x17.pdf” is a 3-panel figure that will be used as a guide for tomorrow’s tour. The first panel (left-most) shows where we will meet for the tour, including GPS coordinates to the trailer, and specific numbered locations in OU3 that we will visit as part of the tour. The first panel also shows the locations of the existing wetland habitats. The other two panels show the specific numbered locations, but the locations are superimposed on the two concept mitigation plans. 20 copies of the two PDF attachments will be available to hand out to in–person participants. Video Livestream: For those not able to join in person I am providing the following Microsoft Teams meeting invite. We will be livestreaming the site walk via this teams meeting so folks can come with us virtually. The numbers on the second PDF figure can be used by those joining remotely to orient themselves. We will likely only transmit video at the specific numbered locations because transmitting the image while walking from location to location is too jarring for viewing. Microsoft Teams meeting Join on your computer or mobile app Click here to join the meeting <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinkprotect.cudasvc.com%2Furl%3Fa%3Dhttps%253a%252f%252furldefense.proofpoint.com%252fv2%252furl%253fu%253dhttps-3A__teams.microsoft.com_l_meetup-2Djoin_19-253ameeting-5FYTIzNzM1ZjUtMWYzYy00YTY5LTliMDYtNWJlYjM1MWFkNGY5-2540thread.v2_0-3Fcontext-3D-257b-2522Tid-2522- 253a-2522546d1b85-2Dec51-2D40dd-2D9280-2D873298a3c3f0-2522-252c-2522Oid-2522-253a-2522f2059f07-2D0b8d-2D40eb-2D89af-2D7682e6e0c746-2522-257d%2526d%253dDwMFAg%2526c%253deuGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf- v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM%2526r%253d4LH_Sdst5So3MOkRVICfx5IeXSf2DcCxPVRWI71faig%2526m%253dgARglpZCbI23yqp4pfGkq0H7WcCElguuOxymsq8dkCA%2526s%253dL5IKA4sYGXmRh7LgnWUyFWqqeUeAM23XcvlKa6URwsk%2526e%253d%26c%3DE%2C1%2CjZzGv31Py9L9Lfnfe7qMC9OB- 5UewiQQdvo2R8vsHFJGaFMKq0gViuM40yF0kDU2wlkiu6u0ydHy1N7m3twqd4w3kXkHjAIPE31qwdDVTq7k- 5XyVO8%2C%26typo%3D1&data=04%7C01%7Ckrasko.anna%40epa.gov%7Cadbe75de2b034c1fd6f008d8f512254d%7C88b378b367484867acf976aacbeca6a7%7C0%7C0%7C637528805947724130%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=yaCC9mPLwMEEBH3c3e0cDMrQWKq0yl%2FEkIAZVLQN6Jw%3D&reserved=0> Or call in (audio only) +1 207-352-4072,,549572376# <tel:+12073524072,,549572376> United States, Portland Phone Conference ID: 549 572 376#
Matt Robbie To: David W. Payne; Jeff Loureiro; alehrer
EMAIL REGARDING ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPERABLE UNIT (OU) 3 OXBOW SITE
WALK, 04/01/2021 (03/31/2021 TECHNICAL MEMO AND CORRECTED FIGURE
ATTACHED)OU3_Mitigation_TechMemo_20210331.pdf
Reminder: Today at 1pm is the Centredale OU3 Sitewalk! Details
below are for both in-person and remote participants. See you out
there!
Location: Allendale Avenue (east end), Johnston, RI – (for
navigation directions, use 100 Allendale Avenue and be sure route
takes you through Johnston!)
When: Thursday, April 1 @ 1:00 – 3:00 PM ET
Purpose: Site walk to view, visit and discuss Oxbow area cleanup
and restoration plans in the field.
Agenda:
1pm - Meeting at site trailer for overview and health & safety
orientation (decontamination protocols required) Key question to
ask during orientation: Are there specific agenda items, features
to see or habitat restoration ideas you’d want to discuss in the
field?
1:15 pm - tour/discuss upland site area and location of treatment
facility
1:45 pm - Tour/discuss Oxbow forested area with views and access to
wetlands
2:45 pm - Return to site trailer and discuss conceptual mitigation
design
Proportions of each habitat type
Channel habitat
Sitewalk Materials
The attached PDF file titled “OU3_Mitigation_TechMemo_20210331.pdf”
is a short memo with some tables and figures that provides the
reader with a broad description of the following:
* ecological predesign investigation work conducted in OU3 *
existing habitats characteristics of OU3 * two concepts for
mitigating OU3 after this portion of the site has been
remediated.
The PDF file
titled”Figure_Centredale_OU3_SiteWalk_corrected_11x17.pdf” is a
3-panel figure that will be used as a guide for tomorrow’s tour.
The first panel (left-most) shows where we will meet for the tour,
including GPS coordinates to the trailer, and specific numbered
locations in OU3 that we will visit as part of the tour. The first
panel also shows the locations of the existing wetland habitats.
The other two panels show the specific numbered locations, but the
locations are superimposed on the two concept mitigation
plans.
20 copies of the two PDF attachments will be available to hand out
to in–person participants.
Video Livestream:
For those not able to join in person I am providing the following
Microsoft Teams meeting invite. We will be livestreaming the site
walk via this teams meeting so folks can come with us virtually.
The numbers on the second PDF figure can be used by those joining
remotely to orient themselves. We will likely only transmit video
at the specific numbered locations because transmitting the image
while walking from location to location is too jarring for
viewing.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Click here to join the meeting
<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinkprotect.cudasvc.com%2Furl%3Fa%3Dhttps%253a%252f%252furldefense.proofpoint.com%252fv2%252furl%253fu%253dhttps-3A__teams.microsoft.com_l_meetup-2Djoin_19-253ameeting-5FYTIzNzM1ZjUtMWYzYy00YTY5LTliMDYtNWJlYjM1MWFkNGY5-2540thread.v2_0-3Fcontext-3D-257b-2522Tid-2522-
253a-2522546d1b85-2Dec51-2D40dd-2D9280-2D873298a3c3f0-2522-252c-2522Oid-2522-253a-2522f2059f07-2D0b8d-2D40eb-2D89af-2D7682e6e0c746-2522-257d%2526d%253dDwMFAg%2526c%253deuGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-
v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM%2526r%253d4LH_Sdst5So3MOkRVICfx5IeXSf2DcCxPVRWI71faig%2526m%253dgARglpZCbI23yqp4pfGkq0H7WcCElguuOxymsq8dkCA%2526s%253dL5IKA4sYGXmRh7LgnWUyFWqqeUeAM23XcvlKa6URwsk%2526e%253d%26c%3DE%2C1%2CjZzGv31Py9L9Lfnfe7qMC9OB-
5UewiQQdvo2R8vsHFJGaFMKq0gViuM40yF0kDU2wlkiu6u0ydHy1N7m3twqd4w3kXkHjAIPE31qwdDVTq7k-
5XyVO8%2C%26typo%3D1&data=04%7C01%7Ckrasko.anna%40epa.gov%7Cadbe75de2b034c1fd6f008d8f512254d%7C88b378b367484867acf976aacbeca6a7%7C0%7C0%7C637528805947724130%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=yaCC9mPLwMEEBH3c3e0cDMrQWKq0yl%2FEkIAZVLQN6Jw%3D&reserved=0>
+1 207-352-4072,,549572376# <tel:+12073524072,,549572376>
United States, Portland
Phone Conference ID: 549 572 376#
Feet
Lyman Mill Reach
Meeting Point: 41.8504°, -71.4839° Approx. 100 Allendale Ave,
Johnston, RI 02919 Access via Johnston - no bridge at Lyman Mill
Reach
ALLENDALE AVE
WARREN AVE
Notes: Centredale Manor Restoration Project Operable Unit 3 (OU3)
wetland delineation and habitat assessments are preliminary and
were performed by Normandeau in 2019 and 2020. Habitat mitigarion
concepts are preliminary and are for discussion purposes only.
Aerial imagery is courtesy of LEA and is dated April 2018.
Figure. Centredale Manor Restoration Project OU3 Site Walk April 1,
2021
Site Walk 1 - Meeting Point 2 - Lyman Mill Reach 3 - Area of
overland flow during flood events 4 - Former oxbow channel 5 -
Palustrine forested (PFO) wetland north of former oxbow channel 6 -
Vernal pool 7 - Northeastern extent of palustrine scrub shrub (PSS)
wetland 8 - PFO/PSS wetland 9 - Upland forested area 10 - Braided
stream channel 11 & 12 - Potential viewpoints for palustrine
emergent (PEM) wetland
1 2
CONCEPT 1 CONCEPT 2
Habitat Type: Upland Forest Palustrine Forested (PFO) Palustrine
Scrub Shrub (PSS) Palustrine Emergent (PEM) Water Flood
Passage
ALLENDALE AVE 1 2
120 100 200 Feet
Integral Consulting Inc. 45 Exchange Street Suite 200 Portland, ME
04101 telephone: 207.874.9000 facsimile: 207.874.7800
www.integral-corp.com
MEMORANDUM
To: Jeff Loureiro, Loureiro Engineering Associates, Inc.
From: Patrick Gwinn and Sara Barbuto, Integral Consulting Inc. Lee
Carbonneau, Normandeau Associates, Inc.
Date: March 31, 2021
Subject: Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation
Plans for OU3 – Centredale Manor Restoration Project Superfund
Site, North Providence Rhode Island
Project No.: CF1958
On July 9, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
lodged a consent decree with the U.S. District Court for the
District of Rhode Island. The consent decree and its accompanying
statement of work (USEPA 2018) described the remedial
design/remedial action activities to be performed for the
Centredale Manor Restoration Project (CMRP) Superfund Site in North
Providence, Rhode Island (“Site”) (Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Information System No.
RID981203755). Emhart Industries, Inc. and Black & Decker Inc.
(collectively, “Settling Defendants” or “SDs”) are currently
undertaking the remedial design/remedial action activities.
Integral Consulting Inc. (Integral) and Normandeau Associates Inc.
(Normandeau), on behalf of Loureiro Engineering Associates, Inc.
(LEA) (the SD’s remedial contractor), are supporting the design of
habitat mitigation elements for Lyman Mill Reach and the former
Oxbow Area (hereafter referred to collectively as Operable Unit 3
[OU3]).
This technical memorandum presents a summary of preliminary
findings resulting from wetland delineation and habitat surveys
performed in OU3 and two conceptual mitigation plans for OU3. This
information is being provided in advance of the April 1, 2021 Site
walk coordinated by EPA’s consultant, Skeo, to provide attendees
(both in-person and virtually) a broad view of the habitats that
exist in OU3 and how the conceptual mitigation plans strive to
return OU3 to a wetland system that provides functions similar to
those that presently exist. It is important to note that the
conceptual mitigation plans are not a final design. They will be
refined over the course of the coming months by input from
Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation Plan for OU3
March 31, 2021 Page 2 of 4
Integral Consulting Inc.
OU3 ECOLOGICAL BASELINE PRE-DESIGN INVESTIGATION
An EPA-approved ecological baseline pre-design investigation (Eco
PDI) was performed in OU3 to inform remedial design, compensatory
mitigation planning, habitat design, and post-remedial monitoring
of habitat recovery.1 Eco PDI data collection activities for OU3
included the following:
• wetland delineation
• vernal pool assessment
• terrestrial vegetation survey
• aquatic vegetation survey
These studies were performed at OU3 in 2019 and 2020 in accordance
with the approved Eco PDI Part I field sampling plan.2 The results
of the Eco PDI Part I field activities are to be provided in the
Draft Ecological Baseline Pre-Design Investigation—Part I, OU3
Study Results (Integral & Normandeau 2021, in preparation), and
will be included as a supporting document to the OU3 remedial
design.
As shown in Table 1, approximately 20 acres of palustrine wetlands
were identified during the Eco PDI investigation. Approximately 47%
of the OU3 palustrine wetlands were classified as forested (PFO),
while the remaining were classified as either scrub shrub (PSS –
21%) or emergent (PEM – 31%). General characteristics of each
wetland type including acreage, dominant plant species identified,
and water regime are provided in Table 1. Figure 1 shows the
locations of the existing wetlands identified during the PDI
survey.
A single vernal pool was identified in OU3. This vernal pool did
not contain any primary indicator breeding evidence during any of
three visits, but contained abundant secondary indicators in the
form of fingernail clams and spire snails. The presence of two
secondary indicators in the pool is considered sufficient evidence
for classification as a vernal pool by federal standards.
Additionally, on the first visit a single male wood frog was
observed
1 Integral. 2019. Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Ecological
Baseline Pre-Design Investigation—Part I, Site Wetland,
Floodplains, and Aquatic Zones, Centredale Manor Restoration
Project Site. Integral Consulting Inc. July. 2 Integral. 2019.
Field Sampling Plan for the Ecological Baseline Pre-Design
Investigation—Part I, Site Wetland, Floodplains, and Aquatic Zones,
Centredale Manor Restoration Project Site. Integral Consulting Inc.
July.
Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation Plan for OU3
March 31, 2021 Page 3 of 4
Integral Consulting Inc.
singing from the site. This pool may be too isolated from other
suitable pools to provide sustainable breeding habitat for primary
vernal pool organisms.
There is generally limited upland floodplain within the OU3 project
area. Vegetation in the uplands was typically dominated by red
maple as well as black and white oaks in the tree stratum, and
glossy buckthorn in the shrub stratum. Much of the upland has been
converted into walking paths, and were observed to contain a
limited herb stratum.
As part of the PDI surveys, biologists noted the presence of
wildlife while performing wetland delineation and habitat survey
activities in OU3. Table 2 summarizes the list of wildlife species
that were noted in OU3. Table 2 is not intended to represent a
complete list of wildlife that may reside in or transit OU3. Rather
it simply identifies the wildlife observed within OU3 while
biologists were present.
CONCEPTUAL HABITAT MITIGATION PLANS
Two conceptual habitat mitigation plans were developed by Integral
and Normandeau based on information collected as part of the Eco
PDI, topography, potential remediation strategies, input from
stakeholders, professional judgement and experience. The plans,
Concept 1 and Concept 2, were developed to facilitate further
discussion on the OU3 mitigation process. For both concept plans,
the goal was to mitigate the wetland habitats and to provide an
open channel on Lyman Mill Reach to allow small boat (e.g., canoe
or kayak) access to the reach from Lyman Mill Pond. Neither concept
plan attempts to replace the existing vernal pool.
Concept 1
Concept plan 1, shown in Figure 2, was developed based on the
grades that may result following soil and sediment excavation. The
areas identified as sediment will be excavated to the depth of
contamination (i.e., to a depth where contaminant concentrations
are below sediment cleanup levels) while the areas designated as
soil will be excavated to the water table. While PDI investigations
that will more explicitly define excavation depths are pending, it
is anticipated that the depth of excavation in sediment will be
greater than the depth of excavation for soil. The potential
extents of soil and sediment excavation in OU3 are shown in Figure
1.
Concept 1, shown in Figure 2, places mitigated forested wetlands
primarily in areas currently identified as soil excavation areas,
and the mitigated scrub shrub and emergent wetlands in areas
currently identified as sediment excavation areas. Concept 1 does
not retain the former oxbow channel feature, but allows for flood
flow from Lyman Mill Reach
Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation Plan for OU3
March 31, 2021 Page 4 of 4
Integral Consulting Inc.
at the approximate location where flood water presently enters the
Oxbow Area and allows for drainage through the wetland complex via
a drainage system shown as emergent wetland on the western side of
the system. Concept 1 also retains the channelized feature of Lyman
Mill Reach with an engineered berm running the length of the
reach.
Concept 1 also retains the relatively large upland forested area in
the central portion of the system. Public access to the upland area
could be provided via the upland forested western edge of Lyman
Mill Reach.
Concept 2
Concept plan 2, shown in Figure 3, also took into account potential
post-excavation grades in OU3, but envisions a larger floodplain
along the western shore of Lyman Mill Reach, which will allow more
frequent flooding of the scrub shrub wetlands. Concept 2 locates
the emergent wetland feature closer to the southwestern end of
Lyman Mill Reach than Concept 1. Compared to Concept 1, the Concept
2 mitigated emergent wetland does not extend as far west into the
wetland system.
The upland feature in the central portion of the former oxbow area
is smaller in Concept 2 than Concept 1, and would have limited
access because it is surrounded by scrub shrub wetland.
In terms of total wetland area, both concepts replace the existing
wetland on a 1:1 basis, but the percentage of each wetland type
varies. Figure 4 shows the percentages of forested, scrub shrub,
and emergent wetland for the existing system and for each of the
concepts.
In each concept presented in this memo, the plantings currently
being considered are the same. Table 3 presents a planting list
organized by habitat type. Where feasible, native plant species
observed in OU3 during the wetland and vegetation surveys were
selected.
Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation Plan - OU3
March 31, 2021
Integral Consulting Inc. Page 1 of 1
Palustrine Forested (PFO)
Palustrine Scrub-Shrub (PSS)
Palustrine Emergent (PEM)
Red Maple, Glossy Buckthorn, Skunk Cabbage, Highbush Blueberry,
Winterberry, Bluejoint, Sweet Pepperbush
Silky Dogwood, Buttonbush
None Purple Loosestrife
Permanently or Semi permanently Flooded
OU3 Wetland Type
Table 1. Summary of OU3 Wetland Characteristics
Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation Plan - OU3
March 31, 2021
Integral Consulting Inc. Page 1 of 1
Table 2. Incidental OU3 Wildlife Observations (2019-2020)
Class Species Common Name Lithobates palustris Pickerel Frog
Lithobates sylvatica Wood Frog Accipiter cooperi Cooper’s Hawk Anas
platyrhynchos Mallard Anas rubripes American Black Duck Baeolophus
bicolor Tufted Titmouse Branta canadensis Canada Goose Buteo
jamacensis Red-tailed Hawk Colaptes auratus Northern Flicker
Cyanocitta cristata Blue Jay Dryobates pubescens Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates villosus Hairy Woodpecker Dumatella carolinensis Gray
Catbird Empidonax traillii Willow Flycatcher Geothlypis trichias
Common Yellowthroat Melanerpes carolinensis Red-bellied Woodpecker
Myiarchus crinitus Great Crested Flycatcher Poecile atricapilla
Black-capped Chickadee Sayornis phoebe Eastern Phoebe Setophaga
coronata Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga petechia Yellow Warbler
Setophaga ruticilla American Redstart Setophaga striata Blackpoll
Warbler Sitta carolinensis White-breasted Nuthatch Spinus tristis
American Goldfinch Thyrothorus ludovicianus Carolina Wren Turdus
migratorius American Robin Tyrannus tyrannus Eastern Kingbird Vireo
gilvus Warbling Vireo Vireo olivaceous Red-eyed Vireo Chelydra
serpentina Snapping Turtle Nerodia sipedon Common Water Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis Common Garter Snake Odocoileus virginianus
White-tailed deer Ondatra zibethicus Muskrat Sciurus carolinensis
Eastern Gray Squirrel Tamias striatus Eastern Chipmunk Procyon
lotor Raccoon Vulpes vulpes Red Fox
Insect Vespula sp. Yellowjacket
Amphibian
Bird
Reptile
Mammal
Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation Plan - OU3
March 31, 2021
Integral Consulting Inc. Page 1 of 1
Table 3. Plant List for Habitat Mitigation Areas
Habitat Type Species Common Name Carya ovata Shagbark Hickory
Quercus rubra Red Oak Quercus alba White Oak Betula populifolia
Gray Birch Nyssa sylvatica Black Gum Acer rubrum Red Maple Prunus
virginiana Chokecherry Hamamelis virginiana Witch Hazel Viburnum
dentatum Arrowwood Clethra alnifolia Sweet Pepperbush Carpinus
caroliniana Ironwood
Betula populifolia Gray Birch Nyssa sylvatica Black Gum Acer rubrum
Red Maple Acer saccharinum Silver Maple Viburnum dentatum Arrowwood
Clethra alnifolia Sweet Pepperbush Carpinus caroliniana Ironwood
Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush Blueberry Cornus amomum Silky dogwood
Thelypteris palustris Marsh Fern Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive
Fern
Alnus incana Speckled alder Cornus amomum Silky dogwood Ilex
verticillata Winterberry Sambucus nigra Black elderberry Salix
discolor Pussy Willow Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush Blueberry
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush Salix discolor Pussy Willow
Cornus amomum Silky Dogwood Thelypteris palustris Marsh Fern
Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern Decodon verticillatus Swamp
Loosestrife
Peltandra virginica Arrow Arum Sagittaria latifolia Arrowhhead
Pontederia cordata Pickerelweed Decodon verticillatus Swamp
Loosestrife Alisma subcordatum Am. Water Plantain Schoenoplectus
tabernaemontani Soft-stem Bulrush Sparganium americanum American
Burreed Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush Salix discolor Pussy
Willow Sambucus nigra Elderberry Cornus amomum Silky Dogwood Salix
nigra Black Willow Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush
Palustrine Emergent Wetland
Palustrine Forested Wetland Floodplain /
Palustrine Scrub Shrub Wetland
N: \G
IS \P
roj ec
ts\ C1
95 8_
Ce ntr
ed ale
_L ou
rei ro\
Pr od
uc tio
n_ MX
Ds \R
es tor
ati on
\O U3
\Fi gu
re_ OU
3_ Co
ve r_T
yp e_
20 21
.02 .12
.m xd
3/ 30
/20 21
11 :58
:45 AM
Notes: Preliminary elevation contours, soil and sediment excavation
extents were provided by LEA on February 12, 2021. Centredale Manor
Restoration Project Operable Unit 3 (OU3) wetland delineation and
habitat assessments were performed by Normandeau in 2019 and 2020.
Aerial imagery is courtesy of LEA and is dated April 2018.
Lyman Mill Reach
ALLENDALE DAM
Preliminary Cover Type: Upland Forest Palustrine Forested (PFO)
Palustrine Scrub Shrub (PSS) PSS/Riverine Palustrine Emergent (PEM)
Aquatic Bed Water
Johnston Oxbow Property Lines
Allendale Pond
N: \G
IS \P
roj ec
ts\ C1
95 8_
Ce ntr
ed ale
_L ou
rei ro\
Pr od
uc tio
n_ MX
Ds \R
es tor
ati on
\O U3
\C on
ce pts
_S pri
ng 20
21 \Fi
gu re_
OU 3_
No rm
an de
au Co
nc ep
t1r ev
_2 02
1.0 3.1
5.m xd
3/ 30
/20 21
1: 17
:28 PM
Notes: Preliminary soil and sediment excavation extents were
provided by LEA on February 12, 2021. Aerial imagery is courtesy of
LEA and is dated April 2018.
Lyman Mill Reach
W AR
RE N
AV EN
Pond
Conceptual Habitat Mitigation Area: Upland Forest Palustrine
Forested (PFO) Palustrine Scrub Shrub (PSS) Palustrine Emergent
(PEM) Water Flood Passage Shoreline Stabilization Bioengineered
Shoreline
Johnston Oxbow Property Lines Outer Extent of OU3 Excavation
EXTENT OF OU3
PM
Notes: Preliminary soil and sediment excavation extents were
provided by LEA on February 12, 2021. Aerial imagery is courtesy of
LEA and is dated April 2018.
Lyman Mill Reach
W AR
RE N
AV EN
EXTENT OF OU3
Investigation
Notes: PFO = palustrine forested wetland PSS = palustrine
scrub-shrub wetland PEM = palustrine emergent wetland
The total OU3 wetland area from the ecological pre-design
investigation and each habitat mitigation concept is approximately
20 acres.
Habitat mitigation concepts are preliminary and for discussion
purposes only.
Conceptual OU3 Habitat Mitigation Areas
Concept 1 Concept 2
Conceptual Habitat MItigation Plans
Slide Number 1
Integral Consulting Inc. 45 Exchange Street Suite 200 Portland, ME
04101 telephone: 207.874.9000 facsimile: 207.874.7800
www.integral-corp.com
MEMORANDUM
To: Jeff Loureiro, Loureiro Engineering Associates, Inc.
From: Patrick Gwinn and Sara Barbuto, Integral Consulting Inc. Lee
Carbonneau, Normandeau Associates, Inc.
Date: March 31, 2021
Subject: Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation
Plans for OU3 – Centredale Manor Restoration Project Superfund
Site, North Providence Rhode Island
Project No.: CF1958
On July 9, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
lodged a consent decree with the U.S. District Court for the
District of Rhode Island. The consent decree and its accompanying
statement of work (USEPA 2018) described the remedial
design/remedial action activities to be performed for the
Centredale Manor Restoration Project (CMRP) Superfund Site in North
Providence, Rhode Island (“Site”) (Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Information System No.
RID981203755). Emhart Industries, Inc. and Black & Decker Inc.
(collectively, “Settling Defendants” or “SDs”) are currently
undertaking the remedial design/remedial action activities.
Integral Consulting Inc. (Integral) and Normandeau Associates Inc.
(Normandeau), on behalf of Loureiro Engineering Associates, Inc.
(LEA) (the SD’s remedial contractor), are supporting the design of
habitat mitigation elements for Lyman Mill Reach and the former
Oxbow Area (hereafter referred to collectively as Operable Unit 3
[OU3]).
This technical memorandum presents a summary of preliminary
findings resulting from wetland delineation and habitat surveys
performed in OU3 and two conceptual mitigation plans for OU3. This
information is being provided in advance of the April 1, 2021 Site
walk coordinated by EPA’s consultant, Skeo, to provide attendees
(both in-person and virtually) a broad view of the habitats that
exist in OU3 and how the conceptual mitigation plans strive to
return OU3 to a wetland system that provides functions similar to
those that presently exist. It is important to note that the
conceptual mitigation plans are not a final design. They will be
refined over the course of the coming months by input from
Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation Plan for OU3
March 31, 2021 Page 2 of 4
Integral Consulting Inc.
OU3 ECOLOGICAL BASELINE PRE-DESIGN INVESTIGATION
An EPA-approved ecological baseline pre-design investigation (Eco
PDI) was performed in OU3 to inform remedial design, compensatory
mitigation planning, habitat design, and post-remedial monitoring
of habitat recovery.1 Eco PDI data collection activities for OU3
included the following:
• wetland delineation
• vernal pool assessment
• terrestrial vegetation survey
• aquatic vegetation survey
These studies were performed at OU3 in 2019 and 2020 in accordance
with the approved Eco PDI Part I field sampling plan.2 The results
of the Eco PDI Part I field activities are to be provided in the
Draft Ecological Baseline Pre-Design Investigation—Part I, OU3
Study Results (Integral & Normandeau 2021, in preparation), and
will be included as a supporting document to the OU3 remedial
design.
As shown in Table 1, approximately 20 acres of palustrine wetlands
were identified during the Eco PDI investigation. Approximately 47%
of the OU3 palustrine wetlands were classified as forested (PFO),
while the remaining were classified as either scrub shrub (PSS –
21%) or emergent (PEM – 31%). General characteristics of each
wetland type including acreage, dominant plant species identified,
and water regime are provided in Table 1. Figure 1 shows the
locations of the existing wetlands identified during the PDI
survey.
A single vernal pool was identified in OU3. This vernal pool did
not contain any primary indicator breeding evidence during any of
three visits, but contained abundant secondary indicators in the
form of fingernail clams and spire snails. The presence of two
secondary indicators in the pool is considered sufficient evidence
for classification as a vernal pool by federal standards.
Additionally, on the first visit a single male wood frog was
observed
1 Integral. 2019. Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Ecological
Baseline Pre-Design Investigation—Part I, Site Wetland,
Floodplains, and Aquatic Zones, Centredale Manor Restoration
Project Site. Integral Consulting Inc. July. 2 Integral. 2019.
Field Sampling Plan for the Ecological Baseline Pre-Design
Investigation—Part I, Site Wetland, Floodplains, and Aquatic Zones,
Centredale Manor Restoration Project Site. Integral Consulting Inc.
July.
Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation Plan for OU3
March 31, 2021 Page 3 of 4
Integral Consulting Inc.
singing from the site. This pool may be too isolated from other
suitable pools to provide sustainable breeding habitat for primary
vernal pool organisms.
There is generally limited upland floodplain within the OU3 project
area. Vegetation in the uplands was typically dominated by red
maple as well as black and white oaks in the tree stratum, and
glossy buckthorn in the shrub stratum. Much of the upland has been
converted into walking paths, and were observed to contain a
limited herb stratum.
As part of the PDI surveys, biologists noted the presence of
wildlife while performing wetland delineation and habitat survey
activities in OU3. Table 2 summarizes the list of wildlife species
that were noted in OU3. Table 2 is not intended to represent a
complete list of wildlife that may reside in or transit OU3. Rather
it simply identifies the wildlife observed within OU3 while
biologists were present.
CONCEPTUAL HABITAT MITIGATION PLANS
Two conceptual habitat mitigation plans were developed by Integral
and Normandeau based on information collected as part of the Eco
PDI, topography, potential remediation strategies, input from
stakeholders, professional judgement and experience. The plans,
Concept 1 and Concept 2, were developed to facilitate further
discussion on the OU3 mitigation process. For both concept plans,
the goal was to mitigate the wetland habitats and to provide an
open channel on Lyman Mill Reach to allow small boat (e.g., canoe
or kayak) access to the reach from Lyman Mill Pond. Neither concept
plan attempts to replace the existing vernal pool.
Concept 1
Concept plan 1, shown in Figure 2, was developed based on the
grades that may result following soil and sediment excavation. The
areas identified as sediment will be excavated to the depth of
contamination (i.e., to a depth where contaminant concentrations
are below sediment cleanup levels) while the areas designated as
soil will be excavated to the water table. While PDI investigations
that will more explicitly define excavation depths are pending, it
is anticipated that the depth of excavation in sediment will be
greater than the depth of excavation for soil. The potential
extents of soil and sediment excavation in OU3 are shown in Figure
1.
Concept 1, shown in Figure 2, places mitigated forested wetlands
primarily in areas currently identified as soil excavation areas,
and the mitigated scrub shrub and emergent wetlands in areas
currently identified as sediment excavation areas. Concept 1 does
not retain the former oxbow channel feature, but allows for flood
flow from Lyman Mill Reach
Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation Plan for OU3
March 31, 2021 Page 4 of 4
Integral Consulting Inc.
at the approximate location where flood water presently enters the
Oxbow Area and allows for drainage through the wetland complex via
a drainage system shown as emergent wetland on the western side of
the system. Concept 1 also retains the channelized feature of Lyman
Mill Reach with an engineered berm running the length of the
reach.
Concept 1 also retains the relatively large upland forested area in
the central portion of the system. Public access to the upland area
could be provided via the upland forested western edge of Lyman
Mill Reach.
Concept 2
Concept plan 2, shown in Figure 3, also took into account potential
post-excavation grades in OU3, but envisions a larger floodplain
along the western shore of Lyman Mill Reach, which will allow more
frequent flooding of the scrub shrub wetlands. Concept 2 locates
the emergent wetland feature closer to the southwestern end of
Lyman Mill Reach than Concept 1. Compared to Concept 1, the Concept
2 mitigated emergent wetland does not extend as far west into the
wetland system.
The upland feature in the central portion of the former oxbow area
is smaller in Concept 2 than Concept 1, and would have limited
access because it is surrounded by scrub shrub wetland.
In terms of total wetland area, both concepts replace the existing
wetland on a 1:1 basis, but the percentage of each wetland type
varies. Figure 4 shows the percentages of forested, scrub shrub,
and emergent wetland for the existing system and for each of the
concepts.
In each concept presented in this memo, the plantings currently
being considered are the same. Table 3 presents a planting list
organized by habitat type. Where feasible, native plant species
observed in OU3 during the wetland and vegetation surveys were
selected.
Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation Plan - OU3
March 31, 2021
Integral Consulting Inc. Page 1 of 1
Palustrine Forested (PFO)
Palustrine Scrub-Shrub (PSS)
Palustrine Emergent (PEM)
Red Maple, Glossy Buckthorn, Skunk Cabbage, Highbush Blueberry,
Winterberry, Bluejoint, Sweet Pepperbush
Silky Dogwood, Buttonbush
None Purple Loosestrife
Permanently or Semi permanently Flooded
OU3 Wetland Type
Table 1. Summary of OU3 Wetland Characteristics
Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation Plan - OU3
March 31, 2021
Integral Consulting Inc. Page 1 of 1
Table 2. Incidental OU3 Wildlife Observations (2019-2020)
Class Species Common Name Lithobates palustris Pickerel Frog
Lithobates sylvatica Wood Frog Accipiter cooperi Cooper’s Hawk Anas
platyrhynchos Mallard Anas rubripes American Black Duck Baeolophus
bicolor Tufted Titmouse Branta canadensis Canada Goose Buteo
jamacensis Red-tailed Hawk Colaptes auratus Northern Flicker
Cyanocitta cristata Blue Jay Dryobates pubescens Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates villosus Hairy Woodpecker Dumatella carolinensis Gray
Catbird Empidonax traillii Willow Flycatcher Geothlypis trichias
Common Yellowthroat Melanerpes carolinensis Red-bellied Woodpecker
Myiarchus crinitus Great Crested Flycatcher Poecile atricapilla
Black-capped Chickadee Sayornis phoebe Eastern Phoebe Setophaga
coronata Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga petechia Yellow Warbler
Setophaga ruticilla American Redstart Setophaga striata Blackpoll
Warbler Sitta carolinensis White-breasted Nuthatch Spinus tristis
American Goldfinch Thyrothorus ludovicianus Carolina Wren Turdus
migratorius American Robin Tyrannus tyrannus Eastern Kingbird Vireo
gilvus Warbling Vireo Vireo olivaceous Red-eyed Vireo Chelydra
serpentina Snapping Turtle Nerodia sipedon Common Water Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis Common Garter Snake Odocoileus virginianus
White-tailed deer Ondatra zibethicus Muskrat Sciurus carolinensis
Eastern Gray Squirrel Tamias striatus Eastern Chipmunk Procyon
lotor Raccoon Vulpes vulpes Red Fox
Insect Vespula sp. Yellowjacket
Amphibian
Bird
Reptile
Mammal
Preliminary Habitat Summary and Conceptual Mitigation Plan - OU3
March 31, 2021
Integral Consulting Inc. Page 1 of 1
Table 3. Plant List for Habitat Mitigation Areas
Habitat Type Species Common Name Carya ovata Shagbark Hickory
Quercus rubra Red Oak Quercus alba White Oak Betula populifolia
Gray Birch Nyssa sylvatica Black Gum Acer rubrum Red Maple Prunus
virginiana Chokecherry Hamamelis virginiana Witch Hazel Viburnum
dentatum Arrowwood Clethra alnifolia Sweet Pepperbush Carpinus
caroliniana Ironwood
Betula populifolia Gray Birch Nyssa sylvatica Black Gum Acer rubrum
Red Maple Acer saccharinum Silver Maple Viburnum dentatum Arrowwood
Clethra alnifolia Sweet Pepperbush Carpinus caroliniana Ironwood
Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush Blueberry Cornus amomum Silky dogwood
Thelypteris palustris Marsh Fern Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive
Fern
Alnus incana Speckled alder Cornus amomum Silky dogwood Ilex
verticillata Winterberry Sambucus nigra Black elderberry Salix
discolor Pussy Willow Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush Blueberry
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush Salix discolor Pussy Willow
Cornus amomum Silky Dogwood Thelypteris palustris Marsh Fern
Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern Decodon verticillatus Swamp
Loosestrife
Peltandra virginica Arrow Arum Sagittaria latifolia Arrowhhead
Pontederia cordata Pickerelweed Decodon verticillatus Swamp
Loosestrife Alisma subcordatum Am. Water Plantain Schoenoplectus
tabernaemontani Soft-stem Bulrush Sparganium americanum American
Burreed Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush Salix discolor Pussy
Willow Sambucus nigra Elderberry Cornus amomum Silky Dogwood Salix
nigra Black Willow Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush
Palustrine Emergent Wetland
Palustrine Forested Wetland Floodplain /
Palustrine Scrub Shrub Wetland
N: \G
IS \P
roj ec
ts\ C1
95 8_
Ce ntr
ed ale
_L ou
rei ro\
Pr od
uc tio
n_ MX
Ds \R
es tor
ati on
\O U3
\Fi gu
re_ OU
3_ Co
ve r_T
yp e_
20 21
.02 .12
.m xd
3/ 30
/20 21
11 :58
:45 AM
Notes: Preliminary elevation contours, soil and sediment excavation
extents were provided by LEA on February 12, 2021. Centredale Manor
Restoration Project Operable Unit 3 (OU3) wetland delineation and
habitat assessments were performed by Normandeau in 2019 and 2020.
Aerial imagery is courtesy of LEA and is dated April 2018.
Lyman Mill Reach
ALLENDALE DAM
Preliminary Cover Type: Upland Forest Palustrine Forested (PFO)
Palustrine Scrub Shrub (PSS) PSS/Riverine Palustrine Emergent (PEM)
Aquatic Bed Water
Johnston Oxbow Property Lines
Allendale Pond
N: \G
IS \P
roj ec
ts\ C1
95 8_
Ce ntr
ed ale
_L ou
rei ro\
Pr od
uc tio
n_ MX
Ds \R
es tor
ati on
\O U3
\C on
ce pts
_S pri
ng 20
21 \Fi
gu re_
OU 3_
No rm
an de
au Co
nc ep
t1r ev
_2 02
1.0 3.1
5.m xd
3/ 30
/20 21
1: 17
:28 PM
Notes: Preliminary soil and sediment excavation extents were
provided by LEA on February 12, 2021. Aerial imagery is courtesy of
LEA and is dated April 2018.
Lyman Mill Reach
W AR
RE N
AV EN
Pond
Conceptual Habitat Mitigation Area: Upland Forest Palustrine
Forested (PFO) Palustrine Scrub Shrub (PSS) Palustrine Emergent
(PEM) Water Flood Passage Shoreline Stabilization Bioengineered
Shoreline
Johnston Oxbow Property Lines Outer Extent of OU3 Excavation
EXTENT OF OU3
PM
Notes: Preliminary soil and sediment excavation extents were
provided by LEA on February 12, 2021. Aerial imagery is courtesy of
LEA and is dated April 2018.
Lyman Mill Reach
W AR
RE N
AV EN
EXTENT OF OU3
Investigation
Notes: PFO = palustrine forested wetland PSS = palustrine
scrub-shrub wetland PEM = palustrine emergent wetland
The total OU3 wetland area from the ecological pre-design
investigation and each habitat mitigation concept is approximately
20 acres.
Habitat mitigation concepts are preliminary and for discussion
purposes only.
Conceptual OU3 Habitat Mitigation Areas
Concept 1 Concept 2
Feet
Lyman Mill Reach
Meeting Point: 41.8504°, -71.4839° Approx. 100 Allendale Ave,
Johnston, RI 02919 Access via Johnston - no bridge at Lyman Mill
Reach
ALLENDALE AVE
WARREN AVE
Notes: Centredale Manor Restoration Project Operable Unit 3 (OU3)
wetland delineation and habitat assessments are preliminary and
were performed by Normandeau in 2019 and 2020. Habitat mitigarion
concepts are preliminary and are for discussion purposes only.
Aerial imagery is courtesy of LEA and is dated April 2018.
Figure. Centredale Manor Restoration Project OU3 Site Walk April 1,
2021
Site Walk 1 - Meeting Point 2 - Lyman Mill Reach 3 - Area of
overland flow during flood events 4 - Former oxbow channel 5 -
Palustrine forested (PFO) wetland north of former oxbow channel 6 -
Vernal pool 7 - Northeastern extent of palustrine scrub shrub (PSS)
wetland 8 - PFO/PSS wetland 9 - Upland forested area 10 - Braided
stream channel 11 & 12 - Potential viewpoints for palustrine
emergent (PEM) wetland
1 2
CONCEPT 1 CONCEPT 2
Habitat Type: Upland Forest Palustrine Forested (PFO) Palustrine
Scrub Shrub (PSS) Palustrine Emergent (PEM) Water Flood
Passage
ALLENDALE AVE 1 2