November 17, 2005
Scientists with Terra Technologies' Overland Park office announce the successful permitting of the Prairie Farm development in Olathe, Kansas. The development, designed by Allenbrand-Drews & Associates, will provide 225+ acres of residential homes and business development in the highly regulated Olathe Lake watershed. Development near Olathe Lake, a 303d listed water body, is regulated by the Olathe Water Board. Recently enacted local regulations require developers to achieve a minimum post-development water quality rating. Within the development, engineers with Allenbrand-Drews and scientists at Terra Technologies designed a unique wetland forebay in lieu of standard detention basins. The forebay incorporates a low flow channel by-pass, allowing migration of benthic macroinvertebrates through a jurisdictional intermittent tributary. Flanking and alongside the tributary, pockets of wetlands capture local rain water, increasing soil percolation and removal of pollutants. Greater than 100 species of native grasses, wildflowers, wetland plants, trees, and shrubs will be established within the forebay footprint. Also, 95% of existing trees and shrubs are protected from disturbance within the wetland.
This project represents the first use of a wetland forebay in the metropolitan Kansas City area to provide on-site mitigation and water quality enhancement. Construction of this important best management practice facility will begin in the Spring of 2006.
