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Wetlands Restoration at Big Wave
Big Wave’s wetlands restoration and landscaping plan will expand the wetlands and riparian zone of the Pillar Point Marsh into the buffer zone and onto the Wellness Center property. Approximately 8 acres (41) of the Big Wave site will be restored. Approximately 28,000 plants will be grown in pots in a temporary native plant nursery to be constructed on the Big Wave site. Dr. Fiedler notes in her 90% Design Report for the Big Wave site, “Of particular importance is the restoration of potential breeding habitat for the California red-legged frog and, potential foraging habitat for the San Francisco garter snake, two native vertebrates not known to utilize the Big Wave project site, but which may be able to establish viable populations as a result of Big Wave’s restoration efforts.”
The Big Wave Project represents a state-of-the art integration of the natural and built environments through the restoration of the immediate landscape surrounding the Office Park and Wellness Center. Over 28,000 native riparian plants will be installed on the site, resulting in a significant reduction of non-native weeds and a significant increase in biological diversity. Big Wave anticipates the restoration along Pillar Point Marsh will be a high-functioning, mature wetlands and riparian zone within five to ten years.
WSP Environmental and the HGM Model
Dr. Lyndon C. Lee and Dr. Peggy Fiedler of WSP Environmental are the chief designers of the wetlands restoration at Big Wave. Both Lee and Fiedler have extensive wetlands restoration design experience on the San Mateo County coast. Working with a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, they developed the Hydrogeomorphic Model (HGM), which is based on detailed studies of the hydrology, botany and geomorphology of 26 streams and creeks along the San Mateo County coast. The HGM model allows for design and monitoring based on regional references. This model has been adopted by the Corps of Engineers for both design and modeling. The restoration plan for Big Wave is based on the HGM model.
Habitat Integration with the Urban Development
The wetlands restoration will allow for unique habitat integration with the urban development, while still providing the necessary barriers to protect the habitat. Building foundations will feature a three-foot-tall hard edge to the wetlands restoration. Native riparian plants will blend into the edge of the facilities. The restored wetlands will be surrounded by a willow waddle fence (a living fence constructed by woven willow shoots), which will provide protection for the restored habitat.
Micro-depressions and Rainwater Gardens
Notable features in the wetlands restoration plan include micro-depressions (designed to capture runoff and roof infiltration) and rainwater gardens. The micro-depressions will support biodiversity. Rain runoff from building roofs will discharge into rainwater gardens for ground water recharge and green house gas reduction. All surface runoff will be collected and treated in the porous parking lot walkway infiltration system.
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