Wildlife Management Plan for Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc.'s - New Beginnings - The Woodlawn Wildlife Area

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Wildlife Management Plan for
    Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc.’s
New Beginnings – The Woodlawn Wildlife Area

                 Revised June 2006

                                          1

I. Introduction

New BeginningsSM – The Woodlawn Wildlife Area site is a former municipal
landfill that is listed on the National Priorities List (NPL, a list of Superfund sites) due to
groundwater contamination. Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. has assumed
responsibility for managing the site and, as part of their management approach, is
implementing a wildlife habitat enhancement and community environmental education
program in partnership with the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC). Concurrent with
implementing measures to protect human health and the environment at the site,
Bridgestone is committed to enhancing the area for wildlife and engaging local residents
and community groups in this ongoing effort. WHC will be assisting Bridgestone with
the design and implementation of the wildlife habitat enhancement and community
environmental education programs at the site. In keeping with the goal of fostering
community involvement, it may later be necessary to make modifications to the
recommendations herein, so that new ideas or projects desired by the public may be
implemented over time.
The Record of Decision requires that Bridgestone perform the following remedial
actions at the Woodlawn Wildlife Area:
 Cover the closed landfill with a vegetated soil cap,
 Monitor the natural attenuation of groundwater, and
 Perform any other response actions necessary to protect human health and the
environment.
The landfill remediation plan has been prepared and will be implemented by the
consulting firm of ARCADIS, Geraghty & Miller, Inc. Bridgestone will also incorporate
the recommendations outlined in the Opportunities Report (July 1997) provided by WHC
into the long-term habitat management plans for the site as a whole. The permeable,
vegetated soil cover over the former landfill (as opposed to a typical, impermeable cover)
greatly enhances wildlife value by incorporating islands of native shrubs along with
grasses across the surface of the landfill cover, and native trees around the perimeter.
The vegetated soil cover will enable the continued influx of oxygen into the subsurface,
thereby fostering the natural attenuation processes on-going at the site.

The landfill property (approximately 37 acres) is owned by Cecil County;
Bridgestone owns the adjacent parcel of land (approximately 58 acres) to the north and
northwest of the landfill (referred to hereafter as the “northern parcel”). The northern
parcel consists of a former agricultural field (henceforth referred to as “the Field”) and a
second growth wooded area (henceforth referred to as “the Woodlot”). Both properties
together are known as New Beginnings – The Woodlawn Wildlife Area.
This Management Plan encompasses a vision for the Woodlawn Landfill that is
shared by Bridgestone, WHC, and local partners. Each of these groups is integral to the
successful metamorphosis of this site from a former landfill to an area of high value
wildlife habitat and environmental education opportunities.

II. Site Description
The Woodlawn Wildlife Area is located north of Port Deposit, Maryland, in
Colora Township, Cecil County, at the intersection of Firetower and Waibel Roads. A
municipal waste transfer station for recyclables and refuse remains in operation adjacent
to the landfill. The landfill site is approximately 37 acres, and the adjoining northern
parcel, former agricultural and forested land from the landfill boundary north to Colora
Road, is approximately 58 acres. An unnamed creek borders the landfill to the south,
Waibel Road parallels the southeastern edge of the landfill, and Firetower Road forms the
eastern border of the Field and Woodlot area. The western border of the property
consists of private lands in rural uses.
Woodlawn is located in a rural setting, surrounded primarily by residential areas
and undeveloped properties. Presently, the landfill cover and Field are comprised of
early successional scrub, including native grasses, shrubs, and young trees, mostly
deciduous but some coniferous. Much of the land bordering the area is mature, second
growth woods, including the perimeter of the landfill area and the Woodlot of
approximately 40 acres to the north and northwest. Around the perimeter of the landfill
area are drainage ditches installed to capture and transport stormwater runoff to a
detention basin located on the southern side of the landfill to control sediment and
erosion. The detention basin has been converted into a functioning wetland habitat.

As referenced in the Habitat Impact Analysis completed by ARCADIS in June
1998, the highest point of elevation occurs in the northeast corner of the landfill area.
The land slopes gently southwest from that point, until abruptly dropping off near the
unnamed stream. The Field is basically flat, and was formerly used for agricultural
purposes. The soils consist primarily of silty to gravely loam. The climate in this region
is temperate with temperatures averaging between 30ºF and 70ºF. Historically, extreme
temperatures in this region have reached a low of 0ºF and a high of 95ºF. The mean
annual precipitation is 42.7 inches, as recorded by NOAA.

III. Species Inventory

The species inventory for the Woodlawn Wildlife Area includes a list of plant and
animal species seen or heard on the site. A formal vegetation survey, including transects
and quadrant surveys, was completed by WHC biologists on May 31, 2000. The species
inventory is updated periodically as new species are discovered on the site.

IV. Habitat Assessment

During the various site assessments, the habitat was reviewed to determine which
requirements were lacking for both the wildlife species present, and for those species to
be managed. As an overview, the Field was formerly agricultural land and now consists
predominantly of scrubby vegetation, much of which is dominated by the invasive
multiflora rose; a species that dominates the area resulting in a limited diversity of food
resources for wildlife. Other types of habitat in and around the landfill include forested
edges, pockets of shrubs and small trees, and grassy areas. In light of the variety of
available habitat that existed prior to construction of the landfill cap, ARCADIS
incorporated into their plans the planting of islands of native shrubs and wildflowers on
the landfill cap, and trees around the perimeter of the cap, in order to provide high value
food and cover for wildlife following the closure of the landfill.
The ultimate goal for this area is to increase plant diversity and in turn,
increase biological diversity overall, in addition to providing the basic needs of a wide

variety of wildlife. However, in order for a species to occupy a particular habitat, the
four basic needs of that species must be present: food, water, cover, and space.

V. Goals, Objectives, and Prescriptions

The initial Wildlife Management Plan for the Woodlawn Wildlife Area
(November 2001) called for a number of habitat enhancements projects. This revised
Management Plan calls mostly for the on-going monitoring and maintenance of the
previously-implemented habitat enhancement projects, along with a few additional
projects. The plan will continue to contain seven main goals, five of which are dedicated
to habitat enhancement, while the sixth and seventh goal encompass proposed methods of
community outreach and environmental education at the site. To increase biodiversity at
the Woodlawn landfill, the following goals, objectives, and prescriptions will be
implemented.

Goal 1: Provide food and cover for forest wildlife.
Goal 2: Provide nesting habitat for cavity nesting birds, particularly eastern
bluebirds, American kestrel, tree swallows, screech owls, and wood ducks.
Goal 3: Support the predator-prey relationship between raptors and small
mammals.
Goal 4: Add to the diversity of plant species by providing a wider variety of
habitat types on site.
Goal 5: Provide food and cover for insects, primarily butterflies, and provide an
aesthetically pleasing area surrounding the entry to the Field.
Goal 6: Provide environmental education opportunities at the site.
Goal 7: Increase positive image of the site, Bridgestone/Firestone, and others
involved with the project.

Goal 1: Provide food and cover for forest wildlife.

Objective Prescriptions Status
Incorporate the use of native 1. Obtain approval from EPA for the planting of Completed – Trees
trees with high food value in islands of native shrubs and trees on and around and shrubs
the northern and southern landfill. planted.
edges of the landfill. 2. Plant 20 each of red oak and bitternut hickory, 10
each of serviceberry, flowering dogwood, and white
oak, and 5 each of common chokecherry and
staghorn sumac within the northwest corner of the
landfill.
3. Plant 25 each of red oak and bitternut hickory, 10
each of flowering dogwood, white oak, and staghorn

sumac, 5 common chokecherry, and 15 serviceberry
within the southern corner of the landfill area.
Expand the present woodlots 1. Prepare the Field in late June or July of 2000 by Completed – Trees
adjacent to the landfill. treating the area with herbicide to prevent and shrubs
reestablishment of multiflora rose, and clearing all planted.
invasive plants with a bush hog, leaving behind
trees.
2. Plant a mixture of seedlings and nursery stock of
100 each of white oak, pin oak, and red maple in the
western half of the Field, leaving room for proposed
nature trail along the present edge. These species
will be planted with the help of local Boy and Girl
Scout troops, local schools, and other local
organizations and individuals.
Enhance current wooded 1. Contact MD DNR regarding Forest Stewardship Completed –
areas. Program. Enrolled in MD
2. Enrol in Forest Stewardship Program. Forest Stewardship
Plan.
Remove invasive species. 1. Develop Invasive Plant Management Guideline. In progress – Ten-
2. Implement Invasive Plant Management Guideline. year invasive plant
3. Continued monitoring of invasive plants. management
guideline written
in 2004. Invasive
species removal
will need to
continue intensely
at least until 2014.
Thereafter,
continued
monitoring will be
required, and
removal as
necessary.

Goal 2: Provide nesting habitat for cavity nesting birds (particularly eastern
bluebird, American kestrel, tree swallows, purple martins, screech owls, and wood
ducks) and bats.

Objective Prescriptions Status

Objective Prescriptions Status
Provide artificial nesting 1. Construct 16-18 eastern bluebird nest boxes by Completed –
structures for eastern enlisting the help of local scout troops or craftsmen artificial nesting
bluebirds, house wrens, tree and by using the construction guide provided by structures installed
swallows, and chickadees. WHC. (These boxes are also suitable for tree and monitored by
swallows, house wrens, tufted titmice, and carolina Jerry Newman.
chickadees.)
2. Erect 8 boxes along the proposed trail in the Field.
3. Upon completion of the landfill cap, erect approx. 8-
10 more eastern bluebird nest boxes around the
landfill.
Provide artificial nesting 1. Obtain approval from county officials for placement Abandoned –
structures for purple martins. of purple martin house near transfer station. Determined that
2. Solicit local Scouts or vocational school to construct site was not
purple martin house, and local power companies to favorable for
help put in post. purple martins.
3. Erect purple martin house.
Provide artificial nesting 1. Construct one wood duck nesting box by enlisting Abandoned –
structures for wood ducks. the help of local scout troops or craftsmen. Determined that
2. Erect wood duck box in the retention pond/wetland site was not
area upon completion of the landfill cover. favorable for wood
ducks.
Provide artificial nesting 1. Construct one screech owl nesting box by enlisting Completed –
structures for screech owls. the help of local scout troops or craftsman. Screech owl boxes
2. Erect screech owl box on an existing tree in the installed and
northern Woodlot. monitored by Jerry
Newman; formed
partnership with
Tri-State Bird
Rescue and
Research to release
rehabilitated birds
on-site.
Provide artificial nesting 1. Enlist help from Mr. Flaherty to help construct In progress –
structures for bats. appropriate boxes. Boxes installed,
2. Obtain guidance from Mr. Flaherty on proper but success
location and maintenance of bat boxes. uncertain.
3. Erect one or more bat boxes.
4. Monitor bat boxes and, if necessary, re-position.

Goal 3: Support predator-prey relationship between raptors and small mammals.
Objective Prescriptions Status
Enhance cover areas for 1. Collect dead branches and other natural materials In progress –
birds and small mammals. and pile them, using the largest pieces as a base, Brush piles
then smaller branches and twigs on top. These brush created;
piles will be placed along the edges of wooded areas maintenance
in the Field. ongoing.
2. Maintain and re-build brush piles on 5-10 year
intervals.
Provide raptor perches to 1. Construct two raptor perches with 20-foot high post Completed – two
attract and facilitate hunting with a crossbeam at the top, ensuring the lower three perches installed
by birds of prey. to four feet of the post is buried in the ground, on landfill.
enlisting the help of contractors associated with the
landfill. These perches would be placed in the
southeastern and and northwestern sectors of the
landfill, during or following construction of the
cover.
Provide food plots to attract 1. Plant a mixture of corn, wild oats, lespedeza, and Abandoned –
a variety of wildlife, clover in any open areas left by the clearing of WHC no longer
including small mammals, vegetation following the construction of the landfill recommends food
and the predators that prey cover, by Spring 2002. plots.
upon them.

Goal 4: Add to diversity of plant species by providing a wider range of habitat types.

Objective Prescriptions Status
Incorporate the use of native 1. Obtain approval from EPA for the planting of Completed –
wildflowers and shrubs with islands of wildflowers and shrubs on the landfill. Landfill is
high value into the vegetated 2. Plant a mixture of wildflowers and grasses including vegetated with
landfill cover construction. black-eyed Susan, butterfly weed, lance-leaved grasses,
coreopsis, rough goldenrod, narrowleaf sunflower, wildflowers, and
indian grass, little bluestem, and big bluestem. These shrubs.
species will be planted in two, one-acre areas of the
landfill cap.
3. Plant shrubs in an island configuration, including
such species as red cedar, spicebush, chokeberry,
arrowood, American holly, mountain laurel, and
highbush blueberry. These species will be planted at
six locations on the landfill cover.
Provide a different type of 1. Prepare the Field by treating the area with herbicide In progress –
habitat such as a wildflower to prevent reestablishment of multiflora rose, and Wildflower
meadow and buffers in the clearing all invasive plants with a bush hog, leaving meadow re-planted
field. behind trees. in Spring 2004;
2. Plant a mixture of native wildflowers and grasses success will be
most of the eastern half of the Field. evaluated in 2006

3. Monitor and maintain eastern half of the Field as a and 2007; if
wildflower meadow. successful,
meadow will need
to mowed/burned
on a rotational
basis. If
unsuccessful, will
need to re-evaluate
this objective.
Provide wetland habitat 1. Plant high wildlife value plants in this area and Completed –
within the field and in the along the lower reaches of the drainage ditch that Wetland
southeast portion of the surrounds the landfill cover, incorporating plants vegetation planted.
landfill to be enhanced by such as switchgrass, which will and help to provide
wetland plantings and bank stabilization, filter runoff, and trap sediments.
invasive species control.
Provide hedgerows for 1. Remove multiflora rose and other invasive plants In progress –
greater aesthetic appeal and from area between Firetower Road and Field. Invasive removal
wildlife habitat between 2. Plant hedgerows of shrubs along Firetower Road. ongoing.
Field and Firetower Road.

Goal 5: Provide food and cover for insects, primarily butterflies, as well as provide
an aesthetically pleasing area surrounding the proposed picnic shelter area.

Objective Prescriptions Status
Provide specific wildflowers 1. Construct raised flower beds near education In progress –
to serve as food for pavilion. Raised flower beds
butterflies in their larval and 2. Construct rain barrels to provide a water supply for and rain barrels
adult forms. raised beds. constructed;
3. Monitor and maintain raised flower beds and rain Master Gardeners
barrels. maintaining native
plant nursery.

Goal 6: Provide environmental education opportunities at the site.

Objective Prescriptions Status
Determine need and potential 1. Make initial contact with all local elementary, Completed –
use of an Environmental middle, and high schools. Education pavilion
Education Center. 2. Conduct a CLL (Corporate Lands for Learning) and parking area
facilitation visit with WHC’s Outreach Program constructed; CLL
Manager. certification
3. Obtain confirmation from Bridgestone and/or achieved in
ARCADIS for the construction of a permanent and November 2005.
secure building at the entrance to the adjacent area
off of Firetower road.
4. Obtain confirmation from ARCADIS of the
construction of a small gravel parking area at the
new proposed entrance to the area.
Create a nature education 1. Clear 3 to 4 foot wide trail around the perimeter of Completed –
trail, incorporating nesting the Field using a bush hog. Wood chips or perhaps Nature trail with
boxes and interpretive shredded tire mulch will be placed to denote the nest boxes and
signage. location of the trail and to minimize soil disturbance interpretive
in Fall 2000. The trail will allow ready access to signage installed;
bluebird and screech owl boxes in order to facilitate picnic shelter
monitoring of the boxes. constructed;
2. Construct picnic shelter area where landfill and non welcome sign and
landfill areas meet, with help from prospective Eagle kiosk constructed.
Scouts.
3. Place at least 15 interpretive stops along trail and
number each one using a small metal sign on a post
during.
4. Create a trail map describing each of the interpretive
stops along the trail.
5. Erect a welcome sign near the nature center,
indicating the various partners in the project, the
history of the site, and a trail map. Other interpretive
signs can eventually be located along the trail,
indicating unique natural features of interest and the
like.
Create arboretum in the 1. Identify various tree species in the forested area In progress – Cecil
forested area between the between the Field and the recycling depot. Land Trust
Field and the recycling depot. 2. Erect identification plaques on trees. Forestry Board is
3. Create paths throughout the forested area so that taking on this
visitors can see all the difference types of tree. project.
Provide opportunities for 1. Organize workshops and educational programs for In progress –
environmental education for various groups on various topics. The targeted Educational
local groups, including the audience and topics will be selected at the beginning projects ongoing.
Cecil County Girls & Boys of each year by local partners.
Club, Master Gardeners, and
the general public.
Incorporate site into county 1. Coordinate with county science coordinator, for In progress – New
science curriculum. series of workshops and in-service training at the county science
site. coordinator;
2. Brainstorm with Rick and interested teachers for interest10from a
development of site as an outdoor classroom. number of local
Include private schools in this effort. teachers.

Goal 7: Increase positive image of Bridgestone and others involved with the project.

Objective Prescriptions Status
Further educate the local 1. Obtain an ads or articles in local newspapers in In progress – Press
general public on order to promote the wildlife habitat enhancements releases written
environmental stewardship and environmental education opportunities at the regularly; website
initiatives of Bridgestone and site. updated regularly.
others involved with the Bridgestone will
project. continue to
implement this
goal, as
appropriate.
Seek larger scale recognition 1. Apply for Habitat Program Certification with the In progress –
for Bridgestone’s Wildlife Habitat Council. WHC certification
environmental efforts. 2. Apply for Phoenix Award. achieved;
application for
Phoenix Award in
progress.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Monitoring of plants and animals at the site as well as ongoing maintenance of the
implemented projects are integral to the wildlife program in order to measure overall
success. Each aspect of the program has associated monitoring and maintenance that will
ensure that the projects stay on course, as outlined in Table 2.

Table 2: Monitoring and Maintenance Activities

Project Monitoring Maintenance
Invasive Monitor invasive species on the Control established and new
Species site for new populations. populations of invasive species, per
the Invasive Plant Management
Guideline.
Nest boxes Record number of young During weekly checking of boxes,
present and fledged from nest remove the invasive species,
boxes and natural nests once a European starling and house
week during the nesting season sparrows and wasps or ants that may
(April-July). Monitor effect of inhabit the boxes. At end of
predators, and install predator summer, clean out boxes by
guards if necessary. removing all nesting material.
Raptor Encourage members of the During periodic maintenance checks
Perches/ general public to submit new for the nature trail, the raptor
Brush Piles “Sightings”. perches should be inspected to
ensure that they are sturdy and in
good working condition. Brush

piles should be inspected regularly
and rebuilt if necessary.
Wildflower Note presence and relative During the first year, when growth is
meadow survival of wildflower species. 12-16”, or once every 2 months, the
Conduct annual butterfly meadow should be mowed back to
survey, identifying species seen 6-8”. After the first year, mow once
and approximately numbers of each year in late fall or early spring.
each species.
Raised Conduct annual butterfly With help from volunteer Master
Beds and survey, identifying species seen Gardeners, remove weeds, maintain
Rain and approximate numbers of beds and rain barrels on a regular
Barrels each species. basis throughout the spring, summer
and fall. Water beds regularly using
water from rain barrels.
Nature trail Use nature trail to monitor nest Remove debris from trail. Add
boxes and conduct periodic bird additional wood chips or tire mulch
counts. Monitor areas near if necessary. Keep poison ivy down.
slopes, and in wet areas for trail
degradation.

Implementation Schedule

The following schedule outlines the order in which enhancement projects will be
implemented over the next three years; however, it should be noted that the schedule of
implementation may change over time.

Spring & Summer 2006
Invasive species removal.
Monitor bat boxes for use; if not in use, re-locate.
Work with Cecil County Public School to incorporate site into county science
curriculum.
Monitor nest boxes.
Monitor and maintain native wildflower meadow.
Implement education activities.
Apply for WHC Recertification.
Apply for Phoenix Award.

Fall & Winter 2006-07
Invasive species removal.
Maintain nest boxes.
Develop educational program for next year.

Spring & Summer 2007
Invasive species removal.
Plant shrubs between Firetower Road and Field.

Monitor nest boxes.
Re-build brush piles, if necessary.
Monitor and maintain native wildflower meadow.
Implement education activities.

Fall & Winter 2007-08
Invasive species removal.
Maintain nest boxes.
Develop educational program for next year.

Spring & Summer 2008
Invasive species removal.
Monitor nest boxes.
Monitor and maintain native wildflower meadow.
Implement education activities.

Fall & Winter 2008-09
Invasive species removal.
Maintain nest boxes.
Develop educational program for next year.

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