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Wetlands

Wetland Rehabilitation Project Timelines

While each project is unique, there are general pitfalls to beware of when implementing your wetland project. Inadequate planning and poor site preparation and construction are among the most common reasons wetland rehabilitation projects fail. Repairing a poorly constructed project is usually difficult and sometimes impossible.

Be prepared for a lengthy process. You could easily spend up to a year planning the project and obtaining appropriate permits. An experienced contractor may not want to look at your site until you have your permits in hand. However, some contractors may be willing to be helpful during the design phase.

All of the "dry work" of site preparation and planning should be conducted first. Construction schedules depend on weather and site conditions. Earth moving under wet conditions is difficult and time consuming. Once you start restoring water levels you cant turn back.

Planting and seeding have timetables as well. Plantings should occur in October and November, with bare root plantings in winter months or in April and May, before temperatures are high. Avoid planting after May, as small sprouted seedlings or transplanted plants can become stressed or dry up in summer heat if they have not developed a good root system. Be prepared to plan around annual variations in local weather.