WorldWide Drilling Resource

Geotechnical Drilling for Wetlands Restoration Adapted from Information Provided by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers In the fall of 2015, the National Park Service (NPS) and the u.S. Army Corps of Engineers (uSACE) began small-scale geotechnical drilling at Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve to prepare for a proposed interagency project to restore up to 100 acres of freshwater tidal marsh within the 485-acre Dyke Marsh. A 2009 study of Dyke Marsh by the NPS and the u.S. Geological Survey found this unique ecosystem would be entirely lost by 2035 without restoration efforts. Geotechnical drilling is part of the project's investigative process which will provide sediment samples from the marsh. The findings from sediment samples will help determine the stability and composition of the foundation for the pro- posed promontory and will help in the design of the project. Dyke Marsh, managed by the George Washington Memorial Parkway, is home to more than 300 species of plants and 270 species of birds - including the only known breeding population of marsh wrens in the region. “Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is one of the largest remaining freshwater, tidal wetlands in the Washington metro area,” said Alex Romero, superintendent of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. “Dyke Marsh has extensive value, not only for the flora and fauna that exist within, but for the recreational, educa- tional, and cultural values that the marsh provides. We are very excited to move forward with the first phase of the project to restore this very sensitive resource.” The marsh has been altered through 40 years of human interaction, leaving the area exposed to storm waves, susceptible to erosion, and unable to sustain itself. “This vital project will provide a storm buffer for the historic and scenic George Washington Memorial Parkway, a natural filter to clean the Potomac River, and critical habitat for a variety of wildlife,” said Colonel Ed Chamberlayne, uSACE Baltimore District commander. “We are excited that restoration efforts are underway, and we are looking forward to working with our partners at the National Park Service on another successful project.” In 2013, Congress recognized Dyke Marsh as an invaluable resource to the greater Washington region and allocated $24.9 million to restore the site. Restoration efforts are anticipated to begin summer 2017 and are expected to take four years. The wetlands at Dyke Marsh will be restored using clean, sandy material and planted with native wetland vegetation. The peninsula to the south of the marsh, which had been previously removed, will also be restored. Congratulations to: Jane Franks Gentry Drilling Co. Leoma, TN Winner for February! Time for a Little Fun! February Puzzle Solution: Merrill Mfg. Mills Bit Service, Inc. Can you identify which ads in this issue these two photos came from? Win a prize! Send your completed puzzle to: WWDR PO Box 660 Bonifay, FL 32425 or fax to: 850-547-0329 ______________ ______________ 10 MARCH 2016 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® WWDR ’ s May issue Deadlines: Space Reservation: March 25 th Ad Copy: April 1 st