The following was prepared by Dr. James Amon, Associate Professor of Biology at Wright State University, following a walk through Valerie Woods on April 18, 1999 and a cursory review of the Fire Station Siting Study. Dr. Amon teaches wetland ecology at Wright State, and conducts state and federally funded wetlands research. He also conducts workshops for both state and federal officials in the area of wetlands preservation and restoration.
"Site one (from the Fire Station Siting Study) is the best location of the four described from the ecological standpoint as well as the other factors mentioned in the report. Site Four sits over what may be the aquifer that feeds the wetland and excavation for the building may damage the water flow. Sites 2 and three should be left undisturbed because they are high quality mature forest.
The high quality forest can be an exceptional resource for the school(s) nearby. The juxtaposition of the wetland, shrubby meadows and mature forest provides an ecological balance not often found on a site of this size. I believe the site is large enough to provide significant habitat for a broad variety of wildlife and flora making the site a community asset.
The wetland is a moderate quality wetland fed by groundwater seepage. While it has the essential characteristics of a paulustrine emergent wetland most like a marsh it has little standing water. If plant diversity was higher the wetland could approach the criteria for a fen. It is possible that removal of tile systems and other drainage could improve the wetland but it will function well without any medications.
Development in the vicinity of the wetland must carefully avoid ground water impacts such as water and sewer lines that intercept the below ground flow toward the wetland. A minimum of a 200 foot buffer between the wetland and adjacent construction is warranted. At least 400 feet would be desirable as a buffer in the location immediately west of the springs that feed the system. Building that may take place in the field northeast of the school should have a minimal footprint to permit continued infiltration of rainfall into the aquifer. I suggest that any future development on that site have a maximum of 25% hard cover and that porous bottom storm water detention facilities be employed to aid in recharge of the aquifer.
I would suggest that efforts be made to preserve at least two-thirds of the site as a natural area with land lab access for the schools and hiking trails for the community. Development of this land as a park and a wildlife preserve will add significantly to the value of homes in the area. Partial development should recover the investment made by the local government.
The wetland plants noted in our trip include sweetflag, deadly nightshade, willow herb, watercress, water parsnip, wetland dogwoods, several species of carex (sedges), leeks, some willows, cottonwoods, green ash and elm. Numerous species will probably emerge later in the year and a survey done in mid june to mid July will give a better idea of the plant diversity of the site.
The site appears to be very suitable for the birds that pass through on spring migrations and a survey in late April to early May might identify significant species passing through. Numerous invertebrates such as the crayfish are probably present and the habitat is obviously used by a number of large and small mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
The hydrology of the area is probably complex but I would guess that the near surface limestone diverts water from the surface into a horizontal subsurface flow which feeds the wetland. It is possible that the limestone itself is a reservoir of for water and may contribute to the flow. Plant species present include several upland species. This indicates that August through November water tables probably drop and the site becomes dry (not at all unusual for most wetlands)."
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