ENVIRONMENTALLY CRITICAL AREAS

A good painter knows that the construction of a painting depends on the colors on the palette and the composition of the canvas. The construction of your garden depends on the function and structure of the landscape. Environmental factors can create opportunities to develop a distinctive, eco-friendly garden. ECI has developed exceptional gardens for our clients whose landscapes have presented environmental challenges.

Our staff, which includes a Wetlands Ecologist and Botanist, works in conjunction with Soil Engineers, Arborists and other specialists to successfully complete your landscape project. Our experience of working in Environmentally Critical Areas has given us the ability to create your landscape at or above the standards of the municipal, state and regulatory agencies.

Types of Environmentally Critical Areas:

• Landslide-Prone Areas
• Liquefaction-Prone Areas
• Flood-Prone Areas
• Wetlands and Buffers
• Riparian Corridors
• Steep Slopes
• Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas

DRAINAGE / GRADING

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Drainage is the single most important component of landscape installation. It is much easier and less costly to correct soil drainage problems during the initial design and construction phases of a project rather than afterwards.

Drainage modifications can be accomplished by using one or both of the methods outlined below.

Surface drainage

Surface drainage systems pull excess water from hardscapes, planting beds and areas where water tends to collect and provides a path on the surface for the water to move.

Catch Basins collect surface runoff at the edge of landscape features (patios, lawns, driveways, etc.) and carry the water to a collection point via an underground drain pipe that doesn’t impact your garden.

Dry Streambeds or shallow swales that can be planted are an aesthetically pleasing as well as functional addition to your landscape. The streambed creates a natural path for the water, containing it and preventing erosion. Dry streambeds and swales require that your site has natural slope.

Retention Ponds are located at the lowest point on the property to collect runoff.

Sub-Surface Drainage

Sub-surface drains prevent erosion and protect drainage sensitive plant material or lawns.

Sub-surface drainage systems remove water from saturated soils and carry it through a French Drain (drain rock columns) or a channel structure tying into a buried collection pit or an existing drain line, or daylighting into an existing drain swale.

WETLAND DELINEATION & MANAGEMENT

A Wetland is a complex, environmentally sensitive eco-system that is subject to its own sets of federal, state and local regulations. A wetland can range from a slight depression that holds water only after rain shower to a forested swamp with saturated peat soils.

If you are planning on landscaping a part of your yard that contains a wet area, a Wetland Delineation should be performed to determine if a wetland exists on your property.

Wetland Delineation

Wetland areas are defined by the types of vegetation, soils and hydrology. Wetland Delineation is simply identifying the boundary between a wetland and the adjacent upland.

Wetland Management

Landscaping near a wetland may require mitigation procedures such as specific planting design, low-impact construction or other preservation measures.

SLOPE RESTORATION

Slope restoration establishes a level of stability for landslide-prone slopes through a combination of deep-rooting plants, drainage systems and retaining systems. Environmental Construction, Inc. consults with soils engineering firms to create stable and insurable hillsides.

Typical Slope Restoration Disclaimer:

Hillsides in this area are subject to unknown forces. Landslides have repeatedly occurred in the Puget Sound region and, by definition, these events occur in unstable areas. Environmental Construction, Inc. therefore disclaims any and all liability, whether for consequential damage or otherwise, that may occur during or after completion of this project as a result of our hillside work.  ECI’s concern when entering into a hillside restoration project is that we create a long-term stable situation on your hillside. Toward that end we strongly suggest that you employ a soils engineer to make recommendations and set standards for your project. ECI only warranties that our workmanship will follow the recommendations made by your soils engineer.