Henrico and Chesterfield Counties, Virginia
Owner: FD/MK L.L.C.

Interstate 895 is an 8.26-mile connector road between I-95 and I-295 south of Richmond, to provide an additional James River crossing and improve access from I-95 to I-64 east via I-295, as well as access from southern Chesterfield/south Richmond to Richmond International Airport.  WSSI delineated wetlands in the proposed right-of-way and located wetlands with remote sensing techniques in the wider corridor area.  WSSI then obtained permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and the U.S. Coast Guard for +30 acres of wetland impacts and a new bridge over the James River.  The Permit Application included an assessment of the impacts associated with various alignments, along with a detailed evaluation of avoidance and minimization measures and a detailed cost analysis of the various measures, as well as a comprehensive functions and values assessment of the impacted wetlands.

WSSI then examined scores of potential mitigation sites throughout Henrico County and located a 193-acre farm with prior-converted croplands to provide wetlands mitigation; prior to the mitigation project, Thunderbird Archeology (a division of WSSI) conducted a Phase I archeological investigation of the mitigation site.  WSSI then developed construction plans for approximately 70 acres of restored wetlands; the mitigation plans include grading, erosion and sediment controls, planting plans and specifications, as well as a monitoring and maintenance program.  The mitigation area commenced construction in July 1999.  WSSI provided construction inspection services and has completed the required five years of monitoring and maintenance.  The U.S. Army Corps released the bond for this work in May 2005, indicating successful completion of this project.