Figure 8.
1. Project Title: Strawberry Island (Niagara River) Shoreline Habitat Restoration and Protection Project
2. Contacts
Strawberry Island is located in U.S. waters of the Upper Niagara River and is owned and administered by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP), Western District, Niagara Frontier Region. The NYSOPRHP contact is:
Mr. Rolfe Steck
New York State (NYS) Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation,
Niagara Reservation State Park, P.O. Box 1132, Niagara Falls, New York 14303
Tel.: (716) 278-1718
This project description was prepared by:
Ms. E. Ann Poole
U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service, Lower Great Lakes Fisheries Resource Office,
405 North French Road, Suite 120A, Amherst, NY 14228
Tel.: (716) 691-5456; FAX (716) 851-6154
Mr. Michael Wilkinson
New York State Department Environmental Conservation,
Region 9 Fisheries Unit, 270 Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14203
Tel.: (716) 851-7010; FAX (716) 851-7008
3. Agencies
a. Federal
U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service), East Aurora, NY Field Office and Big Flats, NY Plant, Material Centre
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lower Great Lakes Fisheries Resources Office
b. State
NYS Assemblyman Robin Schimminger
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 9
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Western District - Niagara Frontier Region
c. County
Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District
Erie County Legislator Charles Swanick
d. Non-Government partners
American Society of Civil Engineers, Buffalo Chapter
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
Strawberry Island Preservation Group
United Auto Workers Local 774
Private donations and voluntary assistance
4. Restoration Goal
The project goal was to maintain ecosystem function by restoring a severely eroded shoreline habitat on Strawberry Island and providing protection against further erosion and habitat degradation.
5. Project Type
Shoreline habitat restoration and stabilization.
6. Background and Rationale
Strawberry Island is located in the Upper Niagara River near Buffalo, New York. The island is narrow and horseshoe-shaped with the closed end facing upstream. It is located at the upstream end of the largest littoral habitat in the Niagara River. The island's present shape is due to gravel mining activities which substantially reduced the area of upland habitat.
The aquatic habitat associated with Strawberry Island is an extensive (approximately 162 ha) area of riverine shoals (generally less than 1.8 m deep below mean low water) containing beds of submergent aquatic vegetation. Wild celery (Vallisneria) is an important component of the plant community. The lagoon located within Strawberry Island is a deeper lentic habitat providing refuge from river currents.
The Strawberry Island shallows are a significant fish spawning and nursery area. Studies during the mid-1970's indicated this was one of two principal spawning grounds for muskellunge in the Niagara River. Recent surveys (1992 and 1993) indicate the lagoon is the River's most productive muskellunge nursery habitat. The lagoon provides habitat for many other species of fish including northern pike, yellow perch and largemouth and smallmouth bass. Lake Sturgeon (federally listed category 2 candidate, NYS listed threatened) occur in the Upper Niagara River and may use the shoals for feeding or other biological functions.
The Strawberry Island Shoals are one of the most important waterfowl
wintering areas (November-March) in the northeastern United States,
especially for diving ducks. Mid-winter aerial surveys of waterfowl
abundance for the ten-year period 1976-1985 indicate average concentrations
of over 14 000 birds in the upper Niagara River each year (25
371 in peak year), including approximately 8 500 common and red-breasted
mergansers (17 470 in peak year), 2 600 common goldeneye (8 520
in peak year), 1 900 canvasbacks (5 000 in peak year), and 1 200
scaup
(2 306 in peak year), along with lesser numbers of black duck,
mallard, bufflehead and oldsquaw. The shoals serve as a major
feeding and resting area for these birds. The habitat is located
in one of the few major wintering areas for canvasbacks in New
York State. Waterfowl use of the area during winter each year
is influenced, in part by the extent of ice cover throughout the
region.
Strawberry Island is used for breeding by Canada geese and two species of gulls. The island and adjacent shallows are used for resting and feeding by common terns (federally listed category 2 candidate-Great Lakes population, NYS listed threatened). The island provides one of the few relatively isolated resting habitats available in the upper Niagara River for birds such as great blue, black-crowned night and green-backed herons.
In spring 1993, erosion caused by ice/wave action resulted in an approximately 15 m wide breach of the southwest arm of the island. Additional erosion was caused by watercraft traversing the breach. Continued erosion would have degraded additional shoreline habitat and potentially jeopardized the physical integrity of the remainder of the island and its lagoon. The island probably affords protection from erosion for the large complex of shallow water habitat downstream of the island. Loss of the island, in whole or in part, would likely result in degradation of the productive shallow water habitat.
7. Regulatory Considerations
The project required a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit No. 13 for bank stabilization. The project received Section 401 water quality certification with the Nationwide Permit. The project applicant (NYSOPRHP) was exempt from a New York State Protection of Water Permit. NYSOPRHP filed a NYS Department of State Coastal Management Program Federal Consistency Assessment Form for the project.
8. Criteria
Habitat criteria for designing the project were:
a. Restore and protect waterbird nesting, resting and feeding habitat;
b. Protect fish spawning, nursery and foraging habitat;
c. Restore and protect a shrub, grass and herbaceous cover type composed of native and naturalized plant species;
d. Improve aesthetics;
e. Discourage human activity which could result in habitat degradation
and disturbance
of wildlife.
9. Project Design
The project was designed to restore the pre-existing shoreline habitat lost to erosion, and to protect the restored habitat against further erosion.
10. Implementation
The project consisted of four tasks as follows:
Task Description
Task 1 Beach repair
Task 2 Lagoon beach rip-rap
Task 3 Outer beach strengthening
Task 4 Revegetation plantings
The first three tasks were heavy construction activities and the last task was conducted with hand labour. On-site construction for Tasks 1-3 started December 8, 1993 and ended December 27, 1993. Task 4, revegetation plantings, took place on May 10, 1994.
Tasks 1-3 consisted of placing a high tensile strength geo-fabric foundation blanket on native soil, covering the geo-fabric with bedding material, and covering with NYS Department of Transportation medium stone (15-30 cm) to achieve project specifications. NYS Department of Transportation light stone (5-7.5 cm) was used for the core of the breach repair (Task 1) and for filling voids in the outer beach rip-rap (Task 3). The core of the onshore breakwater received a veneer of soil (high in organic matter) for plantings. The soil material was recovered from the lagoon. The stone and geo-fabric were carefully keyed into native soil along the beach and lagoon. Slopes, curves and breakwater alignment were carefully graded to simulate natural contours and shapes.
Quantities of materials used were 766 m2 of geo-fabric, 106 m3 (189 mT) of light stone and 488 m3 (868 mT) of medium stone. The stone material used was locally-mined and crushed dolomitic limestone. The geo-fabric was woven polypropylene material, minimum 203 g per m2, equivalent to Marafi Brand, Type 700X.
Approximate dimensions of the individual tasks, as designed, were as follows:
Task Description / Length / Width
Task 1 Breach repair / 38 m / 12-15 m
Task 2 Lagoon beach rip-rap / 30 m / 0-6 m
Task 3 Outer beach strengthening / 27 m / 6 m
Task 4 Revegetation plantings / 24 m / 6 m
The as-built project provided additional outer shoreline protection as some in-field decisions and agreements with the contractor and regulatory agencies were made as work progressed. Due to the logistics of materials handling and the need to move a large crane to the beach, a stockpile of rip-rap materials was placed between original Tasks 1 and 3. The agreement included placement of rip-rap in the specified fashion at this new location, including the geotextile foundation course. The as-built project achieved a total of nearly 106 m of continuous outer shoreline protection, with fewer end sections and a cleaner look to the final product.
Engineering drawings for Tasks 1-3 are provided in Appendix 1, these drawings were employed in the permitting process.
The Contracted Scope of Work, which included a high degree of "regulatory guidance material" for (mandatory) use by the contractor, was developed by project partners in numerous planning meetings. This critical construction Quality Assurance/Quality Control document is provided as Appendix 2. It reflects a great number of environmental impact issues that were mitigated through the quality assurance/quality control practices and work sequence required.
The revegetation plantings were performed manually using volunteers during a one-day work period. Plants selected for the project included shrubs, grasses and herbaceous species. Plant propagation forms included wattles, seeds and young plants (some as rooted plugs). The materials were planted in a strip of soil placed on the long axis of the breach repair core. Soil depth was approximately 0.9 m at its greatest depth. Plantings were mulched with straw. The planting plan and a description of the stabilization project are provided in Appendix 3.
Signage was erected to regulate recreational activities and foot traffic that could cause additional erosion and wildlife disturbance.
Problems in Implementation
The project site was located on an island in the Niagara River, and all equipment, materials and project personnel were transported to and from the site via heavy watercraft. This necessitated additional logistics planning and added to project costs.
Shallow water adjacent to the project site necessitated dredging an access channel for the work barges. The access channel was approximately 46 m long and was excavated perpendicular to river flow to avoid directing swift river currents into the work site. Dredged material was sidecast downstream of the access channel to facilitate refilling upon project completion. The access channel required deepening after its initial construction to avoid damage to tug propellers due to a decrease in River water level. The necessity for dredging the access channel added significantly to the cost of the project.
The stone fill material was double-handled thus substantially increasing time and labor required for the project.
The presence of dangerous currents and cold-water danger caused concerns for worker safety and potential loss or damage to equipment. There were substantial concerns about possible death and liability for damages. These concerns, coupled with many unique aspects of the project, caused many catches in project administration including difficulties insuring protection of all parties.
Many bare-rooted shrub seedlings did not survive, and grasses planted as rooted plugs, such as beach grass and cord grass, could not be located during monitoring at the planting site. It is believed that gulls or other wildlife removed buds from shrubs and uprooted grass plugs.
Several cottonwood saplings, which did not conform to the planting plan, were donated and planted on the breach repair later in the growing season.
December weather caused some difficulties for work crews in project construction but no significant delays. The need to complete construction prior to severe storms and ice formation caused anxiety for project personnel and contractors. The first major winter storm struck the Buffalo area upon project completion.
11. Degree of Environmental Intervention
The scale of the project dictated use of heavy construction equipment. The stone used for the on-shore breakwater and rip-rap was obtained from a local quarry. However, crushed limestone is obviously not a native material along Niagara River beaches and shorelines. The quarried limestone was used to ensure that project specifications were met, and to alleviate any contamination concerns for materials placed at the site.
Dredging the access channel for the work barges did not produce any notable instances of excessive turbidity. Human activity during revegetation plantings in May disturbed some bird nesting activity.
12. Cost
The total 'market value' of this project, approximately $61 000 (U.S.), is provided below. The 'actual' cost can be obtained by deducting items with an asterisk. These items consisted mostly of agency staff time and non-billable donations.
a. Engineering/Design Costs
Item Cost($U.S.)
Planning meetings (estimated) $5 000*
Engineerings, design, permits (estimated) $5 000*
b. Construction Costs-Materials and Labor
Item Cost($U.S.)
Contractor $28 250
Medium and light stone $13 400
Geofabric foundation $3 000
Landside staging area not available*
Vegetation for plantings $500*
Labor for plantings $1 250*
Regulatory oversight (estimated) $1 000*
Project supervision (estimated) $2 000*
c. Assessment and Monitoring
The project was designed primarily to prevent additional habitat degradation of the Island, lagoon and adjacent shallows. Assessment and monitoring activities consisted primarily of several site inspections to assess success of revegetation plantings and to monitor post-project responses.
Item Cost($U.S.)
Site inspections (estimated) $1 000*
13. Biological Assessment
a. Rationale
The project was designed to restore an eroded portion of Strawberry Island and to protect the Island and shoal complex from further erosion. The preventative nature of the project largely precluded the need for monitoring biota, except for revegetation plantings.
b. Methods
Plantings were inspected during summer and fall to determine if
they survived the planting
procedure and first growing season.
c. Results
Many plantings survived the first growing season and established a vigorous shrub, grass and herbaceous cover type on the breach repair. Redtop grass was very successful in establishing on the site. One row of willow wattles planted in stone material adjacent to the soil strip did not survive, probably due to exposure.
14. Measures of Success
The project was successful in restoring the breach shoreline habitat and preventing further erosion in the breach area.
The project demonstrated that stakeholders from a variety of public agencies and the community can work effectively as a team toward achieving a common goal.
The project exceeded expectations that the project could be implemented, and that it could be implemented on schedule. Other areas of Strawberry Island are continuing to erode and further stabilization work is needed. The stakeholders remain interested in the necessary preservation effort and promote this need whenever possible. Long-term planning is required to devise and implement appropriate preservation measures for this fragile habitat, highly at risk due to its tenuous location.
Success Rating: 4
15. Key References
Acres International Corporation. 1987. Proposal for Strawberry Island erosion control. Prepared for Strawberry Island Preservation Group.
Acres International Corporation. 1988. Strawberry Island draft report. 140 John James Audubon Parkway. Amherst, New York.
Buffalo News. May 1, 1993. "Erosion of Strawberry Island is increasing, biologist says."
Buffalo News. December 13 1993. "Citizens agencies unite to save Strawberry Island". Article by Mike Vogel
Harrison, E.J. 1978. Comparative ecologic life histories of sympatric populations of Esox lucius and Esox masquinongy of the upper Niagara River and its local watershed. PhD dissertation. State University of New York at Buffalo.
Island Dispatch. December 17, 1993. "Strawberry Island emergency stabilization underway".
Island Dispatch. December 17, 1993. "Do you remember Strawberry Island in its heyday?"
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 1994. 1994 Annual report, Bureau of Fisheries Lake Erie Unit to the Lake Erie Committee and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Pages 7-10. Lake Erie Unit. Dunkirk, New York.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. (H. Dale Bossert) 1973. Strawberry Island, theories as to its formation and vulnerability. Region 9 Office. Buffalo, New York.
New York State Department of State. Significant coastal fish and wildlife habitat rating form for Strawberry Island - Motor Island Shallows.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Summer, 1994. "Private/public partnership saves Strawberry Island". The Steward. Volume 1, Number 1, page 5.
Schoellkopf Geological Museum and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. 1990. Strawberry Island site evaluation. 12 pages.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Great Lakes Fisheries Research Office. Monthly progress reports, August, 1993 to October, 1994. Amherst, New York.
Zenkert, Charles. 1934. The flora of the Niagara Frontier Region; ferns and flowering plants of Buffalo and vicinity. Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Natural Science. Volume XVI.
Correct citation for this contribution:
Steck, R., Poole, A., and Wilkinson, M. 1995. Strawberry Island
(Niagara River) shoreline habitat restoration and protection
project, p. 200-230. In J.R.M. Kelso and J.H. Hartig [editors].
Methods of modifying habitat to benefit the Great Lakes ecosystem.
CISTI (Can. Inst. Sci. Tech. Inf.) Occas. Pap. No. 1.
Appendix 1
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Figure 3.
Figure 4.
Figure 5.
Figure 6.
Figure 7.Attachment to contract - Scope of work
Dated 12/1/93
Project Identification
Project: Strawberry Island Emergency Project
Date: December 1993
Location: Strawberry Island
Waterway: Niagara River
(T) Grand Island, Erie Country, New York
Permit: Department of Army,
Buffalo District Corps of Engineers
Application No. 93-620-15, Nationwide Permit
Effective Date - September 24,1993
Scope of Work
(Dated December 1, 1993)
A. Project Background and Task Focus
The Corps of Engineers (COE) Permit captioned above is a key document in the performance of the Work. As such, it is included as an Addendum or Attachment to the private contract that authorizes the Work. This Scope of Work review also, is an important Contract Document element, and is intended to be integrated within the body of the contract, or included as an Addendum or Attachment to contract.
Permit Task Descriptions
The COE Permit, as written, contains three (3) specific Work Tasks, entitled and briefly described as follows:
1. Task #1 On-Shore Breakwater and Breach Repair
Task #1 consists of the placement of geotextile fabric throughout the full "footprint" of the breakwater, placement of bedding material upon the fabric, placement of NYSDOT Medium stone to construct the front and rear walls of the breakwater, placement of NYSDOT Light stone as core of the central portion of the breakwater and a topping of the core with available dredged organic materials that will be used in future months to establish vegetative cover (BY OTHERS).
The design estimated volumes for Task #1 of the Work are as follows:
306 m3 of NYSDOT Medium Stone;
TASK #1 115 m3 of NYSDOT Light Stone;
581 m2 of geotextile fabric.
The on-shore breakwater lines, grade, cross-sections and all other physical detail are to be constructed in substantial conformance with COE Permit Drawing Sheet 4 of 7.
2. Task #2 Lagoon Beach Rip-Rap
Task #2 consists of the placement of NYSDOT Medium Stone along the lagoon beachline, on the beach and within the shallows, starting from the northeasterly corner of new breach repair/breakwater location, running in the easterly direction, for approximately one hundred feet (100').
The design estimated volume for Task #2 of the Work is as follows:
TASK #2 69 m3 of NYSDOT Medium Stone.
Task #2 construction shall be in substantial conformance with the detail of COE Permit Drawing Sheet No. 5 of 7.
3. Task #3 Outer Beach Strengthening
Task #3 consists of the placement of specified materials along a beachline and into the shallows in front of this same beachline located to the east (upstream) of the breach repair location. This Task shall be constructed in substantial conformance with the COE Permit Drawing Sheet No. 6 of 7.
An old boiler tank (landmark of subject beach) shall be removed from the Island for Contractor disposal.
The design estimated volumes for Task #3 of the Work is as follows:
84 m3 of NYSDOT Medium Stone;
TASK #3 38 m3 of NYSDOT Light Stone;
186 m2 of Geotextile Fabric.
Specification Notation: Material Specifications are NYSDOT Standard Specification Section 620 materials as provided in the January 2, 1990 Edition of Construction Standards.
B. Summary Overview of the Work and Special Conditions
Work Elements Included
The Work to be performed includes mobilization & demobilization, furnishing all the necessary labor, machinery, vessels, transport of personnel, materials and supplies to the Island, heavy equipment necessary, associated fuels and supplies, and all incidental associated services to accomplish the construction of all three (3) Work Tasks as described in COE Permit and as further described in this Scope of Work review.
Contract Documents Overview
The COE Permit includes approved design detail drawings and specifications of specific bank stabilization and breach
correction methods, as well as various Nationwide Permit terms and conditions that must be followed in working in the marine environment of the project. The cited COE Permit, the executed Permit to Work on State Lands, this Scope of Work review and the Private Contract between project sponsors and Contractor form the primary body of Contract Documents that govern the Work.
Specified Materials by Others
The NYSDOT Specification "Medium" and Light stone and geotextile foundation material, which are the primary building materials of the Work, are provided by OTHERS. Subject materials are available to the Contractor to the estimated volumes (maximum) as estimated by design engineer and as reviewed in Section A above. These materials shall also be delivered by OTHERS to a convenient riverside site (i.e., contractors yard in N.Tonawanda, NY or some other mutually agreeable site such as the "Old Wickwire Plant Site") for Contractor materials management, loading and transport to Strawberry Island.
Transport of Materials to Island Included
The Work includes the furnishing of personnel, machinery, vessels, fuels and all the necessary associated services to manage and load the delivered stone, to the maximum estimated volumes, onto barges and transport materials, provided by OTHERS, directly to the project site.
Materials Management and Volumes Monitoring as Relates to Project Scope
The Contractor is responsible to directly order all stone materials against a standing purchase requisition (to be paid by OTHERS) to meet his construction schedule. The Contractor has certain other important "materials management" responsibilities in regards to material volumes being delivered that are the subject of "Section C" of this Scope that follows. "Section C" outlines a procedure, whereby the Oversight Engineer may determine, based on factual evidence provided by the Contractor, to reduce project Scope. Reduction in Scope may be allowed in the instance where materials in excess of design estimates are actually needed to accomplish the original, Scope of Work, i.e., all three Tasks, as permitted.
Other Permits/Approvals/Authorizations
The COE Nationwide Permit and State Authorization to Work on State Lands Permits do not obviate the need by the Contractor to obtain other necessary Federal, State, or local permits, approvals or authorizations required by law, for this type of Work, that may be applicable.
Insurances/Liability Coverages
Insurance coverages, limits and the parties to be protected via insurance riders, etc. are described elsewhere (i.e., in the Private Contract which contracts for this Work and within the requirements of the "State Permit to Work on State Lands" which must be obtained by Contractor from NYSOPRHP before work is initiated). No work shall be initiated until acceptable insurance certificates have been delivered to all the
parties/organizations to be protected.
Period of the Contract
The Work is to commence as soon as possible after Private Contract execution with the various insurance certificates, permits, authorizations, etc. to be delivered to the named parties as soon as possible. The Work is to be completed no later than December 31, 1993.
C. Special Contract and Scope of Work Provisions
Limited Scope Reduction Available as Relief
No additional monies are available beyond the original commitment to Contractor as provided for in Private Contract. It is understood that Contractor has contracted to complete the Work, as specified, based upon material volumes as estimated by design engineer (Section A Above).
The basis of Contractor cost is strongly influenced by the volume of materials required to complete the contracted Scope and yet this is initially based on estimate. Because of the firm funding limit of the Project where no additional monies are available, a provision is provided in Private Contract and more fully described in this Section to provide relief should the eventuality arise where actual project material requirement exceeds the estimated volumes.
Control Authority
In the event of reported need, the engineering oversight entity, the NYSOPRHP, in concert with project sponsors and regulatory authorities, may choose to enact a procedure to allow a planned, limited and prioritized reduction in the Scope of the Work.
Contractor Responsible to Forecast, Report, and Request
The Contractor has the specific responsibility to order stone materials in a timely manner to meet his construction schedule. As part of this effort, Contractor shall monitor and log materials deliveries on a daily basis, keeping a record of all shipper lading tickets with explanation of material type noted. (Buffalo Crushed Stone, supplier of stone materials, may be requested to maintain a running tally for the same purposes.) These materials management records shall be available continually for the use of Contractor and perusal by NYSOPRHP Oversight Engineer.
Based on actual project conditions and the manner in which the Work proceeds, the Contractor has the primary responsibility to accurately forecast actual material requirements and to coordinate with the NYSOPRHP Engineer to adjust material needs to accomplish acceptable Work. These responsibilities are more specifically defined as follows:
Case 1. Actual Requirement Less than Estimate.
Should the actual material needs to complete the original Scope fall short of estimates, Contractor has the responsibility to reduce and/or stop materials deliveries in a timely manner, so as to eliminate the stockpile of material that would not otherwise be used in this Project.
Case 2. Actual Requirement Greater Than Estimate.
Should actual material needs to complete original Scope exceed the estimate, Contractor has responsibility to forecast the eventuality with enough lead time, and provide the necessary data, to allow the NYSOPRHP Oversight Engineer and other authorities to come to a decision regarding need for a Reduction in Scope action.
The Contractor has the following materials management responsibilities which must be followed to successfully obtain relief allowed through enactment of the Reduction in Scope provision:
Collect and accrue all shipper slips on materials delivered (request shipper to keep running tally), provide data to NYSOPRHP regularly.
Accurately relate tonnage of shipper slips to Yardage based on suppliers' backup for all material types. The conversion of 2.37 t/m3 of NYSDOT Medium Stone shall be employed for the purpose of Medium Stone, unless other justification is provided.
Closely Monitor use of placed materials at jobsite, make necessary measurements in order to regularly forecast material quantities needed to complete the Work as designed.
Place orders for various materials with supplier to meet Contractor construction schedule; being careful not to over purchase.
As Work proceeds, regularly report material management data and findings/projections to NYSOPRHP Oversight Engineer;
At the earliest possible opportunity, Contractor shall immediately report any shortfall of estimate or overage of estimate directly to NYSOPRHP Oversight Engineer to allow for consideration of the problem and assistance in resolution.
Reduction of Scope, Decision, and Agreement
Should a reduction in Project Scope be allowed, it shall be clearly defined in physical, descriptive terms, and written up as an addendum to this Scope. This Addendum shall not be in force, however, until such time as NYSOPRHP has obtained the mutual agreement of the project sponsors and regulatory agencies involved. The Addendum shall then be signatured by both parties to the agreement reached, i.e., NYSOPRHP and the Contractor.
Priority of Tasks
If a Reduction in Scope action is allowed, reduction in Work Task(s) shall only be considered with respect to the following elemental hierarchy. Reduction in Task Scope would be planned starting at the "lowest priority elements" of the Tasks in the following list and proceeding upward. It is not envisioned that any Task be eliminated, but rather that the amount of Work in one or another be marginally reduced as follows:
The highest priority work is assigned to the full completion of Task #1, the On-Shore Breakwater/Breach Repair, as designed and presented. It is most desirable to complete this work as designed.
The second highest priority would be to complete Task #3 which is the Outer Beach Strengthening Task, as designed and presented. A decrease in rip-rap stone breadth and depth, and thus total volume, may be considered.
The lowest priority would be Task #2, the Lagoon Beach Rip-Rap Task. Reductions in stone coverages may considered while still accomplishing the desired result.
D. Detailed Description of the Work
The following review of the major Work elements of Tasks #1, #2 and #3 is provided for general informational purposes only, and is to be used in combination with and for assistance in interpretation of the cited COE Nationwide Permit Design Drawing Sheets, No 1 through No 7. The review highlights major contract Work elements, including important Permit procedural requirements and serves to supplement project specifications.
This review may not be totally inclusive of all Work elements or sequences required. It is however intended that the Work, as described here and within the cited COE Permit, be complete in every respect, irrespective of the fact that some detail(s) may not appear in this description.
Detailed Work Elements, project responsibilities and necessary phases are all a part of this Scope of Work Review:
Mobilization and Demobilization Operations
Project Oversight and Layout. A NYSOPRHP Engineer shall be present to act in a project oversight role to assist the contractor in answering technical questions, to oversight materials management practice and to assist in engineering layout and control of the work. Representatives of the COE and DEC may be present at the site at various times to insure compliance with the terms and conditions of the COE Nationwide Permit.
Barge Loading at Wickwire Plant. Contractor shall be responsible to directly order, monitor and coordinate the deliveries of stone to the Wickwire Plant, or other agreed location, to meet his own construction schedule. (Stone materials purchased via standing Purchase Requisition by OTHERS). Contractor is responsible to load all necessary construction materials and equipment onto his barges for transport for off-loading at Strawberry Island. Contractor responsible to limit overages of stone materials delivered that may result in a stockpile that is objectionable to landowner and also wasteful of materials provided specifically for the Strawberry Island Project.
Administration/Management of Materials Volumes as Relates to Project Scope. Contractor has specific materials management responsibilities in order to assist in the control of how the Work is completed. Special Condition Section C above outlines responsibilities that are to be followed.
Dredge/Channel Operation, the minimum required, to move a shallow draft-crane barge (0.8-0.9 m draft) to a proximity close enough to the island for crane to reach and install the 36 m+/-long breach breakwater as depicted on Sheet no. 4 of 7 of COE Permit Drawings.
Dredge/Channel Operation, the minimum amount required, in order to move deeper draft gravel barge (1.4-1.5 m draft loaded) into position parallel to but to the rear of crane barge, in order to supply Medium and Light stone materials to crane bucket.
Machinery on the Beach. Contractor is responsible to choose appropriate land based equipment and machinery that is capable of efficiently and effectively performing the Work. Simultaneously, it is expected that its deployment and operation shall not cause undue damage to the fragile landmass, remaining vegetative cover, water quality or wildlife of the Island.
TASK #1
Shallow Foundation Trench at Front and Rear Toe of Breakwater. Contractor shall layout and carefully excavate shallow trench which defines the front and rear toe line of breakwater walls. This excavation shall be minimal; existing clay banks and vegetated shoreline shall be protected as far as is practicable. This trench line shall be employed to strongly anchor the toe of the breakwater into the subsoils in river bottom or rear lagoon beach.
Geotextile Installation. A high-tensile strength geotextile material (material provided by OTHERS), provided in standard widths on continuous rolls, shall be installed with a minimum 15 cm overlap, underneath the Medium and Light stone (core) breakwater being constructed. A 10 cm thick "cushion layer" of smaller granular materials, such as NYSDOT Spec Fine stone (2.5 cm diameter) shall be placed initially to hold the geotextile in place and to protect it from puncture from the larger stone to be placed. The geotextile shall continuously line the foundation trench at the front and rear toe of breakwater walls and run the full depth of breakwater being constructed, i.e., varying from approximately 12 m to 14 m overall, front to back.
Geotextile shall be carefully laid upon existing clay banks at the shoreline and attention given to its fit between existing "fingers" of eroded soils. Existing vegetation and irregular clay banks shall not be impacted by construction and protected as far as is practicable before coverage with geotextile and then stone.
Any materials and/or special methods or devices required to place the geotextile material in a neat and "workman-like" manner is the responsibility of the Contractor and is included in the Work.
Materials Placement-Dredging Spoils. (Refer also to Section E for Dredging Guidelines of Permit) To the maximum degree possible, once the crane barge is in close proximity to land, the Contractor shall cast dredged materials being removed from river bottom to a stockpile position behind the (future) front stone breakwater wall being constructed for possible use as core materials. (Stockpile shall not be constructed directly on top of any existing vegetative cover. All existing cover shall be protected from further damage.) Once front and rear stone breakwaters are formed, Contractor shall place small stone and/or subject dredged stockpiled soils, in the core, up against the back walls of the new breakwater, smooth with the profile of new stone breakwater.
These dredged spoils materials placed in the core shall be employed by NYSOPRHP for the future establishment of vegetative cover in the core zone.
Materials Recovery-Deposited Sands and Gravels behind Breach. To the extent possible, and understanding that it is more advisable to minimize the extent of channelling to allow barge movement toward the Island, the Contractor may consider the recovery of sands and gravels that have washed through the breach and are present at the lagoon just behind the present breach location. These "transported" materials would be available as an alternate core material.
Materials Placement-Medium Stone of Breakwater. Layout of intended lines and grade of breakwater shall be established through consultation with NYSOPRHP On-Site Engineer. Contractor shall carefully begin placement of Fine and then Medium spec stone' onto geotextile foundation material so as not to damage foundation liner, nor allow it to become displaced due to river current.
Contractor shall place medium stone to the slopes and cross sections as depicted on sheet 4 of 7 of the COE Permit Drawing Sheets. The end transitions of the breakwater, as they approach the irregular land forms, shall be neatly contoured and securely benched into existing landforms so as to cause least disturbance to existing conditions of landmass and yet create end wall stability that will not be eroded. The overall top height of the new breakwater (at the 1.5 m top and 0.9 m top section) shall generally "match" the existing adjoining landform elevation, i.e., measure an approximate distance of 12 m to 15 m up each "arm" from the present breach shoreline and build top of wall "level" to the elevation present at these points.
The medium stone shall be laid to a well defined line and grade in a neat and workmanlike manner. The finished product shall be a low profile structure that has interstitial spaces packed as tightly as possible with the smaller grades of "medium" stone delivered. It is acknowledged that some amount of hand placement work may be necessary to obtain the desired "tight knit" composition of breakwater wall construction necessary to stand up to natural forces present at the site.
TASK #2
Lagoon Beach Rip-Rap Placement. The Contractor shall place stone in the coverage zone as specified, immediately upon the sand/gravels of existing beach and shoreline with no initial grading or preparation. No vegetative cover upland of the beach shall be destroyed and it shall remain outside the influence of the Work. A line of heavier materials shall be placed at the lower elevation line of the zone, within the shallows, to form a foundation line to hold materials above. The final shape of this beachline stone shall be formed with smooth transition to the northeasterly corner, rear wall, of the on-shore/breach repair breakwater of Task #1.
Subject Stone shall be placed to cover the total exposed sand/gravel beach above the waterline, for the full distance of approximately 30 m, directly to vegetative cover. Additionally, stone shall be placed below the waterline, for the full distance, to a minimum distance of 3 m. This stone shall be laid a minimum of 30 cm thick in all areas; no geotextile shall be employed in Task #2.
TASK #3
Outer Beach Strengthening. The Contractor shall place a mixed composition of specified materials within the coverage zones as depicted.
Approved geotextile material shall first be placed throughout the full "footprint zone" of the Work as depicted. Natural clay banks or vegetation shall not be trimmed, smoothed or otherwise damaged in order to place the fabric to the contours or irregularity of eroded shoreline. Bedding materials shall next be placed in a layer adequate to assist in the fitting of the fabric to the shoreline and to protect the fabric from puncture during placement of the larger stones. Geomaterial placement shall be accomplished in a neat and workmanlike manner with no loose ends and no fabric exposed to view.
Medium stone and Light stone shall be placed throughout the footprint zone as depicted for an approximate shoreline distance of approximately 27 m. Throughout this distance, stone shall fully cover the area from the waterline to points above, up to the irregular vegetative cover line, and also cover all area below the waterline to a line approximately 3.6 m from the waterline (parallel to shore).
The placed stones shall make a smooth transition with the top of existing clay banks at the vegetative line. Medium Stones shall be placed, at all locations, a minimum of 45 cm deep; Light spec stone shall be employed to fill all interstitial spaces within all placed Medium stone as far as is practicable in this beach strengthening Task.
Project Closure
Cleanup/Demobilization. The Contractor shall leave the site, both on-shore and off-shore, in a neat and clean condition with no garbage, trash, abandoned equipment or materials present. Channel marker buoys or turning piles employed in the Work shall be completely removed.
This requirement is inclusive of excessive clean stone materials that may have been delivered and spoils piles of any sort, inclusive of deposits created by dredging operations in the river bottom.
Should spoils deposits be evident in river bottom at project end, they shall be removed and placed within the dredged channelway as the gravel barge and crane barge are moved out of position and into deeper water for exit.
Permit Conditions Focus Relates to Work Methods
After a review of COE Nationwide Permit conditions as relates to work in shallow, sensitive coastal waters and follow-up consultation with the issuing regulatory authorities, the following specific "Permit Conditions" are provided and to be considered Addendum to the Permit as originally written:
1. Dredging/Channelling Orientation to Island.
Contractors vessels shall approach the breach location from the north running into the current and channel towards shore in an easterly or southeasterly orientation, i.e., will not be allowed to approach and channel perpendicular to shoreline or in an orientation heading northerly (with the current). (Background Intent: Channels, when job is completed, shall be pointing in a generally downstream direction and away from the island shore.)
2. Dredged Materials Minimization, Casting and Stockpiling.
The volume of dredged materials shall be minimized through all means, methods and decisions available to the Contractor and oversight NYSOPRHP Engineer, while allowing the described Scope of Work to be accomplished.
The volume of dredged materials cast into the river shall be minimized through all means, methods and decisions available to the contractor and oversight engineer. All materials dredged that must to river shall be cast on the downriver side of barge.
When dredging first begins, contractor shall cast materials back into the deeper, swifter moving currents of the river, as far as possible, with the intent of distributing the dredged load throughout a large downriver settlement area.
As dredging proceeds and approaches land, contractor shall stockpile dredgings on the downriver side of barge in the shallows, with the intent of reusing a portion to refill the channel on exit of the barge. Care shall be exercised to not allow a scour current to be formed between any dredged stockpile and the island shoreline that could accelerate erosion of the shore in the area of the project.
Once the crane barge is close enough to the island, the contractor shall stockpile as much dredged materials as possible behind the future location of the front breakwater wall for usage as core materials between the front and rear stone walls. (Minimize volumes going into the river through this usage; also allows vegetation to be established here later.)
The use and placement of Sediment Curtains are not included in this Work.
3. Prevention of Severe Erosive Currents at Shore.
Through all the operations that are necessary for the Contractor to accomplish the Work, the Contractor must remain cognizant of the strong currents present and plan to avoid any negative erosive effects it could have, as amplified by any construction actions, at the shoreline during construction.
As examples of this concern, this Scope of Work has previously discussed the required orientation of channels in relation to the island and existing currents. Also. the requirement to prevent scour currents at the shoreline is discussed in 2. above. Any other unforeseen conditions or situations, that are preventable through proper work planning, that causes unnatural, severe erosive forces to be continuously applied to the present shoreline, and/or the work in process, are to be avoided.
4. Prevention of Damage to Existing Vegetative Cover, Landmass or Wildlife Habitat.
The Contractor shall exercise extreme caution and care in working on and around the Island to ensure that environmentally sensitive areas are not damaged in any way. All work procedures and operations are subject to the approval of the NYSOPRHP Oversight Engineer. Should any damage occur, the affected areas shall be restored immediately by the Contractor to his account in accordance with instructions of and to the satisfaction of the NYSOPRHP Oversight Engineer.
5. Filling Channel and Cleanup.
The channels that were dredged for the crane and gravel barge are not required to be totally backfilled with natural materials to a smooth river bottom grade as it is expected that materials naturally transported in the river will quickly settle out and slowly fill the subject channels.
However, no massive, discernable, cohesive materials deposits from the dredging operation will be allowed to remain in river bottom at the site. Any such materials that remain at the close of project shall be moved to a position behind the newly constructed breakwater (as beach strengthening) or used to backfill the subject channels.
End of Scope of Work
Strawberry Island Emergency Project
Edition Date: December 1, 1993.
Appendix 3
Strawberry Island Stabilization Project
Target
Strawberry Island shoals is the largest riverine littoral area in the Niagara River. The island is located roughly midstream ~ 2 km south of Grand Island. The area is managed by NYS Office of Parks-Western Division from adjacent Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island. In spring, 1993, erosive forces of ice/wave action and human activity had caused a 9 m wide breach in the island. The breached section was repaired by constructing a 46 m onshore breakwater in December.
Description
Problem/Need:
The onshore breakwater was designed and constructed, to the extent possible, to resemble pre-existing conditions. Inherent in the design is the revegetation of the area, using native and naturalized plantings, to prevent erosion. Planting is scheduled to take place May 2-3, 1994, in advance of the growing season and migratory bird nesting on the island.
Purpose/Goals
To stabilize the shore of Strawberry Island (notably the onshore breakwater and other threatened areas) using appropriate wetland and upland plant species. Goals, in descending order of priority, are to:
1. Strengthen construction and prevent erosion;
2. Restore wildlife habitat;
3. Discourage indiscriminate foot traffic; and,
4. Improve aesthetics.
Contacts
Ray Spencer, Conservation Educator Assistant
NYS Office of Parks - Schoellkopf Geological Museum
Tel.: (716) 278-1780; FAX (716) 278-1744
Ann Poole, Fish & Wildlife Biologist
USFWS - Lower Great Lakes Fishery Resources Office
Tel.: (716) 691-5456; FAX (716) 691-6154
John Whitney, District Conservationist
USDA - Soil Conservation Service, Erie County
Tel.: (716) 652-8480; FAX (716) 652-8506
Budget
Materials Cost
Streamco willow (Salix purpurea 'Streamco'), 45-60 cm, bundled n/c
Bankers willow (Salix cottettii "Bankers'), 45-60 cm, bundled n/c
Deer tongue (Dicanthelium clandestium), 453 g, p.l. seed n/c
Coastal panicgrass (Panicum amarum 'Atlantic'), 453 g, p.l. seed n/c
Switchgrass (Panicum vergatum 'Shelter"), 453 g, p.l. seed n/c
Redtop (Augustus giantia), 453 g, p.l. seed 15.00
American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata "Cape"), 300 plant units n/c
Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), 100 plants n/c
Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum), 1.8-3 m, 10 @ $0.70 ea. 7.00
Redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea), 3.6-5.5 m, 10 @ $2.50 ea. 25.00
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago), 1.8-3.6 m, 10 @ $2.50 ea 25.00
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), 15-30 cm, 10 @ $2.50 ea. 25.00
Shadbush (Amelanchier aborea), 1.8-3.6 m, 10 @ $2.50 ea. 25.00
Swamp rose (Rosa palustris), 15-30 cm, 10 @ $2.50 ea 25.00
250 - 5.5 m long 60 cm x 10 cm n/c
1 - 608 m roll jute baling twine 50.00
23 kg. 10-10-10 fertilizer 50.00
227 kg. topsoil 100.00
3 bales straw mulch n/c
3 shovels n/c
2 crowbars n/c
2 picks n/c
2 mauls n/c
6 hand trowels n/c
10 pairs of work gloves n/c
40 free-standing survey flags n/c
Personnel
8-10 people (employees of NYS Office of Parks,
USDA-SCS, and USFWS-LGFRO), 2 days n/c
Total cost $ 347.00
Schedule
1. Order materials, as needed. April 15
2. Receive materials, on or before May 2
3. Project implementation May 2-3
Planting Scheme
See Figure 8.
Figure 8.