Davey Resource Group

Claypool, Indiana: Lakeland Disposal Landfill Wetlands Mitigation Area

The Project
When Lakeland Disposal Service, Inc. constructed a 39-acre disposal landfill in Kosciusko County, wetlands were impacted and restorative mitigation was required. A wetlands mitigation site was chosen in Claypool, Indiana approximately three miles southeast of the landfill.

The 6.4-acre mitigation site was designed by ARCADIS G&M, Inc. and was planned a combination of palustrine emergent and scrub/shrub wetlands. Davey, working with ARCADIS G&M, Inc. Territorial Engineering, LLC, and Hedges & Company, Inc., implemented a plan to construct, restore, monitor, and maintain this mitigation area.

The Plan
In May 2004, the site was dewatered and the earthwork was completed by Hedges & Company, Inc., with oversight provided by Davey. In June, 2004, Davey planted and seeded the entire mitigation area with native vegetation. Davey guaranteed these plantings with a two-year warranty.

Davey then began monitoring the site for a two-year period to ensure that the native vegetation thrived. To ensure plant survival, Davey manipulated water levels to correspond with local weather conditions. This allowed Davey to create the most suitable growing environment possible.

Davey has also implemented an aggressive invasive species eradication program. Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass) had established in the wetlands via surrounding agricultural fields and drainage ditches. Davey biologists treated the reed canary grass with Rodeo®, a broad-spectrum glyphosate herbicide. Currently, the reed canary grass population is controlled at a minimal level by subsequent treatments throughout the growing season. As the native vegetation continues to establish, the reed canary grass population will decrease until eventually it is eliminated from the wetland.