California Restoration Project Receives Sustainable Infrastructure Award

The Snow Creek Stream environment zone restoration in North Lake Tahoe, Placer County, Calif., has earned Envision’s Platinum award—the highest level attainable in the Envision rating system. Snow Creek is the second project to receive an Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) Envision rating.

Placer County Department of Public Works and CDM Smith, which provided project planning and design services, will accept the award from ISI Executive Director Bill Bertera at an award presentation in spring 2014. “This project exceeded expectations with sustainable features that accommodate community needs, goals, economic viability, plans and environmental issues,” said Bertera. “It scored highly for its restoration of a brownfield site, historic wetlands, and the stream environment zone by removing fill and debris and reestablishing vegetation and wildlife habitat. A paved multi-use trail link, low impact design storm water improvements and interpretive way-finding signage were also included, providing multiple community benefits in a mixed land use area,” Bertera said.

According to Suzanne Wilkins, CDM Smith project planner and Envision sustainability professional, “the Envision rating categories helped guide the project team in providing quality of life and natural world benefits, while also reducing risks to the new storm water infrastructure and trails.”

Placer County’s project was evaluated using the Envision project assessment, which was verified by a third party reviewer. “Project design components, such as using a recycled rail car for a bike trail bridge over sensitive areas and reuse of many materials onsite, helped the project attain the Envision Platinum award level,” said Kansas McGahan, Placer County senior engineer and project manager.

Source: CDM Smith