VABirders
It is likely that the ATV use you've noticed at the Julie Metz Wetland Bank is
the result of the required monitoring and maintenace being performed by Wetland
Studies and Solutions, Inc. (WSSI). WSSI designed and created the wetland bank
and has been performing monitoring and maintenance there for at least 9 years,
using an ATV to transport equipment the entire time. As required by the Corps
of Engineers (COE) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) wetlands
permits that allowed the development of this wetland bank, WSSI is required to
monitor groundwater wells weekly between March 1 and June 30, and monthly
during the rest of the year. Additionally, WSSI monitors vegetation within the
created wetlands annually to ensure that the wetland bank is meeting the
success criteria established in the COE and DEQ permits. Although ownership of
the wetland bank has been transferred to Prince William County, WSSI performs
other maintenance activities (such as the control of in
vasive
exotic plant species among other activities) as needed to ensure that the COE
and DEQ success criteria are met. WSSI is legally required to do this
mornitoring and maintenance through 2007, unless the COE determines that the
time limit needs to be extended to ensure the successful establishment of the
wetlands.
After reading the posts about ATV damage to the trails at Metz, I visited the
wetland bank last Friday (3/19) to inspect for damage. I noted tire ruts in at
least four areas where water ponds in low spots in the trails, but the damage
does not appear to be excessive - certainly nothing more than the normal
wear-and-tear that would be expected in the extremely wet conditions we
experienced during the past year. I have passed your concerns on to our
environmental technicians so that they can minimize damage to the trails during
future monitoring efforts.
Now on to birds - While at Metz last Friday I had a male yellow-headed
blackbird feeding with a rather large flock of red-winged and rusty blackbirds
in the forested wetland area between wetland pods 4 and 5. About 5 fox
sparrows were also present at the wetland bank.
If anyone has any questions regarding the monitoring and maintenance or any
other questions related to the Julie Metz Wetland Bank, please feel free to
call or email me.
Craig Tumer
Senior Environmental Scientist
Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.
phone - 703-631-5800
email - ctumer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- ctumer@xxxxxxxxx
LarryNTA@xxxxxxx wrote:
I spoke with my County Supervisor about the ATV use and muddy trails at Julie
Metz. She discussed it with the Chief of Public Works and got back to me on
it. As soon as it dries up a bit they intend to spread chips on the trails.
They are also going to post that motorized use is prohibited. The ATV's that
were observed on the area were in trespass. If we observe this in the future
she asked that we call the County Police at 703-792-6500. The Garfield
Substation is just across Route 1 from the WaWa.
Larry Kline
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