Elsa Drive Wetland Restoration and Protection Project

Overview

Project Location: City of Broadview Heights, Cuyahoga County
Watershed: Chippewa Creek Watershed
Project Summary: $219,727 in Surface Water Improvement Fund (SWIF) grant funding is recommended to complete restoration and enhancement of the 1.9 acre Elsa Drive wetland area. This project proposes to increase the existing 1.9 acre wetland area to a total of 3.5 acres and to increase stormwater treatment and capacity by 5.4 acre feet. The Elsa Drive Wetland Restoration Project will be a first step in implementing the Chippewa Creek Balanced Growth Initiative Watershed Plan and will serve as an effective demonstration of the use of green infrastructure practices in solving stormwater management concerns and improving surface water quality. The enhanced floodplain wetland areas will restore wetland habitat and vegetation through the planting of native species and elimination of invasive plant species during construction activities. The Elsa Drive project site is located on the boundary of Broadview Heights and the city of North Royalton. The property is a total of 7 acres consisting of an upper and lower wetland basin. A tributary to Chippewa Creek flows for approximately 725 linear feet and flows to the southeast corner of the property. The two wetland basins on the project site are connected by a 36 inch culvert and separated by differences in their elevation. This project is shovel ready and will commence construction activities upon receipt of SWIF grant funding.

Project Deliverables: Completion and preparation of one set of design documents and a separate set of construction documents. Restoration and enhancement of 3.5 acres of existing wetlands using a combination of removing all invasive species incidental to construction and planting native species of wetland grasses and shrubs.

Installation of four water control devises to insure stability of the wetland area as well as satisfactory holding capacity for stormwater management and passive treatment. Installing 20 boundary markers and placing the entire 7 acre parcel under the protection of a conservation easement. At the city’s expense, constructing 1,100 linear feet of interpretative and educational access trails around the wetland area. Conducting project specific education and outreach activities including the development of 1 fact sheet, conducting 2 public meetings, issuing 1 press release, developing a project specific website, installing 3 interpretative signs and other activities designed to enhance the public’s knowledge and awareness of green stormwater infrastructure practices and alternatives.
Environmental Results: Successful completion of this project is expected to restore and expand the existing Elsa Drive wetland area from 1.9 to 3.5 acres and increase stormwater treatment and storage capacity by 5.4 acre/feet. Additional benefits include: Restoring existing wetland quality with native species plantings. Increasing wetland area from 1.9 to 3.5 total acres. Establishing permanent protection of the wetland area with a conservation easement. Prevent erosion and sediment loadings to Chippewa Creek. Restore native wetland vegetation. Increase riparian area buffer plantings. Creating the first wetland park in the city of Broadview Heights. Serving as an effective demonstration of innovative stormwater management.

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