Bowman evaluated planning and zoning requirements for the transfer of the subject property from Loudoun County to the Town of Leesburg and prepared and facilitated the approval of a Boundary Line Adjustment. Bowman assisted Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) with presentations to the County Board of Supervisors, the Town Council, and the community. These meetings addressed potential issues associated with the environment, transportation, and low impact development measures for stormwater runoff. Final site plans and early grading plans were prepared and processed through the Town. Bowman worked closely with LCPS to avoid impacts to wetlands and streams associated with the high school construction.
The property is bisected by an unnamed tributary to Big Spring Branch, which is designated a Class III Wild Trout Stream by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. In response to concerns from the community and Town about water quality and possible environmental impacts, Bowman completed several environmental field studies, including a habitat assessment to document existing conditions on the property, identify major habitat types, and provide inventories of existing vegetation, birds and wildlife. Concurrent with the habitat assessment, the potential for rare, threatened, and endangered species on the property was evaluated. Bowman also completed a baseline water quality assessment at four stream locations, including water quality sampling for nineteen parameters, an aquatic habitat assessment, and benthic macroinvertebrate sampling per EPA’s Rapid Bioassessment Protocol (Second Edition).
In conjunction with the high school development, LCPS proposed to complete a voluntary stream restoration project along the unnamed tributary to Big Spring Branch. The property was previously used for cattle pasture and other agricultural activities. Cattle have had direct access to the streams and an existing pond, which resulted in significant bank erosion and degradation. This disturbance has also contributed to sediment deposition within the stream channels and denuded stream banks and adjacent riparian areas. Bowman conducted stream surveys and assessments to identify areas for possible restoration activities and then developed a conceptual and final stream restoration plans to include the restoration of 1,600 linear feet of stream channel, enhancement/bank stabilization activities along 1,800 linear feet of stream, reforestation/seeding efforts within 18.0 acres of riparian buffer, and the removal of an existing pond embankment and subsequent restoration of a stream channel and creation of 1.1 acres of wetlands. These proposed measures will improve the overall stability of the streams, reduce sediment deposition, and enhance the instream aquatic habitat and water quality. Bowman coordinated the project with the USACE, and prepared a Joint Permit Application/Pre-Construction Notification for authorization of the stream restoration project under the Nationwide Permits. Bowman also provided project review and oversight during the construction of the high school, infrastructure, and stream restoration project.
The project won awards including a Project Leadership Silver Award from the Construction Owners Association of America (COAA) and the Loudoun County Environmental Preservation Award.