Round Valley Reservoir
Davey Resource Group performed natural resources studies, environmental documentation, environmental permitting, and agency coordination of dams and dike rehabilitation in Round Valley Reservoir.
Project Narrative:
Davey Resource Group (DRG) was contracted by Schnabel Engineering for the natural resources studies, Environmental Documentation, Environmental Permitting and agency consultation.
Wetlands in the project area were delineated utilizing the routine methodology outlined in the Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands (1989), as required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) under the NJ Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act rules.
The project included preparation of NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust Level 1 Environmental Information Documents (EIDs) for the proposed grouting of the North Dam and South Dam structures and for the dredging of the South Tower Intake Channel. A Level 2 EID was prepared for the rehabilitation of the three dam structures. DRG also oversaw the performance of Phase 1 and Phase 2 Cultural Resource Surveys as required for inclusion in the Level 1 and Level 2 EIDs and the NJDEP Freshwater Wetlands Permit.
Putting Plans In Place
The project also included the preparation of a NJDEP Freshwater Wetlands Permit #18 for rehabilitation of the North Dam, South Dam, and dike structures and preparation of a Flood Hazard Area Applicability Determination for the dam rehabilitation; the permit and determination have been obtained from the NJDEP. As part of this project, forested areas within the limit of disturbance at the North Dam, South Dam, and dike project areas are proposed for deforestation. A Reforestation Plan was prepared in accordance with New Jersey No Net Loss requirements and has received conditional approval. Phase I Bog Turtle Habitat Survey and Phase II Bog Turtle Visual Survey were performed. DRG also arranged for, and participated in, mist net surveys for federally-listed endangered and threatened bat species as part of consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service required for the project. No federally-listed endangered or threatened bat species were captured during the mist net surveys.
DRG prepared an application for a Highlands Planning Area Exemption #11 for the rehabilitation of three earthen embankments. The New Jersey Highlands Council issued a Highlands Planning Area Exemption Determination, which verified that the project qualifies for Highlands Act Exemption #11 [N.J.S.A. 13:20-28.(a)(11)].