Flourishing flora and fauna at the Haines Branch stream and wetland

In September, Union Bridge’s mitigation project at the New Windsor quarry won the 2020 Energy & Environment Award of the Portland Cement Association (PCA) in the category Overall Environmental Excellence. The awards recognize outstanding environmental and community relations efforts that go above and beyond what is required.

The development of the New Windsor quarry and its connection to the Union Bridge cement plant in Maryland involved the building of a 4.5 mile (7.2 km) overland belt conveyor, some sections of which run underground below road crossings, streams and agricultural areas. The tunnel excavations have necessitated management of ground water and surface water. Stream water diversions had to be installed and dewatering pumps were utilized around the clock to control the water. In order to mitigate wetland and stream impacts from the project, Lehigh Cement has restored over three acres of wetlands and 2.2 miles (3.5 km) of perennial stream in the Haines Branch Valley, which they have monitored since the beginning of the project in 2017.

Since project completion, the area has become densely populated with plant life.

“After three years of monitoring and allowing ample time for the proper flourishing of flora and fauna, the results and benefits of the project became highly visible,” said Kurt Deery, Environment  Engineer at Union Bridge. “The Haines Branch stream once flowed through a valley dominated by agricultural pastures and cropland. It suffered severely from channel straightening, bank erosion, sedimentation and stormwater runoff rich in phosphorous and nitrogen.” 

Lehigh Cement has vegetated the floodplain with native grasses, trees and shrubs. Since project completion, the area has grown to become densely vegetated, and the created ecosystems have demonstrated remarkable success. “Improvements are noticeable in both aquatic and riparian habitats, enhanced water quality and the diversity of wildlife utilizing the area,” continued Kurt Deery. 

“The stream channels are now more stable and sinuous, drastically reducing erosion and sedimentation impacts. And the vegetated streambanks, wetlands and floodplains have considerably reduced the amount of phosphorous and nitrogen input that enters into the Little Pipe Creek Watershed, which ultimately flows into the Chesapeake Bay.” 

The restored stream channel provides better-oxygenated water and deeper pools through a well-designed riffle and pool complex, and the lower nutrient load has reduced the occurrence of algal blooms, providing clearer water and higher oxygen levels perfect for aquatic life throughout the mitigation area. As a result of the improved water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish populations in the restored section of the Haines Branch stream have increased in quantity and diversity.

The improvements have a positive impact on wildlife, attracting numerous species such as Blue Heron and deer.

In addition, the improvements are having positive impacts on other habitats and species, attracting abundant wildlife to the region. Sightings of white-tailed deer, raccoon, fox, eastern cottontail rabbit, mink, coyote, opossum, great blue heron, wood duck, mallard, barred owl, northern flicker, blue jay, snipe and nesting songbirds have been prevalent during monitoring visits. A camera in the area also continuously records wildlife activity in a portion of the mitigated area. Aquatic habitats provided by the restored stream channel and associated wetlands are also utilized by pickerel frogs, American bullfrogs, green frogs, gray tree frogs, American toads, fish, crayfish and other macroinvertebrates.

“Our efforts have clearly payed off,” said Kurt Deery. “We are very proud that Union Bridge’s project has won PCA’s 2020 Energy & Environment Award in the category Overall Environmental Excellence. This is a great incentive for us, but the real winner is the environment!” 

Haines branch. The restored stream channel provides better-oxygenated water.

Haines branch. Since project completion, the area has become densely populated with plant life.

Haines branch. The improvements have a positive impact on wildlife, attracting numerous species such as Blue Heron and deer.