On Monday, June 7, the Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC) announced the final design of the Wildcat Road wetland restoration feasibility study in the town of Chittenden.
The goal of the study was to assess how road relocation or repair may reduce nutrient and sediment loading to East Creek, restore the wetland, and increase floodplain access to East Creek — serving the purpose of achieving water quality goals identified in the 2019 Basin 3 (Otter Creek, Little Otter, and Lewis Creek) Tactical Basin Plan.
Wildcat Road in the town of Chittenden is a gravel road which often floods during spring thaws and storm events, which are increasing in frequency and intensity according to Vermont climate data. A 3/4-mile segment of the road divides wetland habitat, impacts natural hydrology, contributes erosion directly into East Creek, and floods regularly due to its low elevation. The feasibility study report summarizes the natural resources and engineering assessment of a 0.7-mile segment of the road.
RRPC will now work with the town of Chittenden to secure funding to create a final design to implement the project.
“RRPC is proud to be able to assist towns like Chittenden in finding grants to get these needed water quality projects done. Regional planning commissions also are ideally suited to manage these important projects for local engineers who have the expertise to design and construct them,” said Ed Bove, executive director of RRPC.
RRPC worked with the town of Chittenden, Green Mountain National Forest and Enman Kesselring Consulting Engineers of Rutland on the design.
Funding for the Wildcat Road study was provided by the Ecosystem Restoration Program, a Vermont Clean Water Initiative Program administered by the Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
For more inforamtion visit rutlandrpc.org.
