Sams Lake Wetland Mitigation

City of Atlanta, GA

While with Q-B Engineering, Collaborative Senior Engineer Gilbert Quinones conducted a range of civil engineering services for the City of Atlanta’s Sams Lake Wetland Mitigation Project. The project called for the remediation and reconstruction of a 32-acre wetland along Perry Creek in Fayette County, as mitigation for wetlands disturbed by construction of the fifth runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Gilbert prepared layout and grading plans, an erosion and sediment control plan, an NPDES plan, a storm water management report, a boundary and topographic survey and hydrologic modeling in compliance with Corps of Engineers and FEMA criteria.

Since opening to the public in September 2008, Sams Lake has attracted many visitors—both human and wild. Beaver have constructed two dams. Other residents include: wild turkeys, egrets, heron, hawks, deer, muskrat and even a bold armadillo who greeted a delighted visitor. Amenities at the preserve include an easy half mile mulched trail around the borders of the wetlands and three observation decks for wildlife viewing. A series of low dikes manage the water level to provide four shallow pond areas. Small islands provide habitat for nesting birds. As the water level stabilizes and native plants mature, the bird sanctuary will draw migrating and nesting birds and other wildlife, providing an opportunity to experience nature “up close and personal.”

Stormwater Mitigation and Coordination

City of Sandy Springs, GA

The Collaborative coordinates the implementation of stormwater best management practices standards in support of the City of Sandy Springs. The firm ensures that all private development within the City meets County, State and Federal standards. Service activities include:

• Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) inspections and program management
• Georgia Soil Water Conservation Commission Local Issuing Authority (LIA) compliance and program administration
• Engineering Review

A demographically diverse community, Sandy Springs covers a 38-square-mile area in North Fulton County. It is the second largest city in the metropolitan Atlanta area and is the sixth largest city in the State of Georgia. Sandy Springs is surrounded by more than 950 acres of parks and natural areas. Today, the City enjoys one of the most innovative systems of service delivery in the country, while maintaining a traditional Southern charm and hospitality. The constant, over the years, has been the long-held belief in Sandy Springs as a friendly gathering place. Guests can be assured of a warm Southern welcome when visiting Sandy Springs!

Johns Creek Environmental Campus

Metropolitan District Commission, Hartford, CT

Angela Parker, Collaborative Vice President, was responsible for Fulton County’s water and sewer operations, including maintenance and capital programs. Under her leadership, the County completed the Johns Creek Environmental Campus, a $138M, 15 MGD reuse quality wastewater treatment plant. The Campus is situated on 43 acres off Holcomb Bridge Road in the City of Roswell adjacent to the Chattahoochee River near Garrard Landing.

The campus brings together a vision developed through a collaboration with the late Fulton County Commissioner Bob Fulton, the City of Roswell, and surrounding neighborhoods. JCEC meets the needs of the Johns Creek basin and replaces the previous Johns Creek Water Reclamation Facility. The project won numerous awards, including the 2010 Best of the Best Award from “Engineering News Record.” This facility is one of the first of its size in the US using state of the art membrane bioreactor technology.

Water Resources Operations

Fulton County, GA

As Fulton County’s Public Works Director from 2005 to 2011, Collaborative Vice President Angela Parker was responsible for water and sewer operations, maintenance and capital program development. In this position, she guided approximately $260M in water and sewer projects.

Water-related responsibilities included the provision of water service to Fulton County north of the Chattahoochee River, a population in excess of 230,000 residents. She was also responsible for operation of the wastewater collection and treatment system for north and south Fulton County outside of Atlanta and the provision of stormwater management services for all of unincorporated north and south Fulton County. Related projects include stream bank restoration, a wetland construction project to filter stormwater, and a soil and groundwater remediation project to clean up environmental contamination within a County park.

Hartford Water Supply Plan

Metropolitan District Commission, Hartford, CT

Collaborative CEO Joe Brevard managed a comprehensive regional water supply planning effort for the Hartford Metropolitan District Commission, the water supply agency for the Hartford metropolitan area. The study was carried out when Joe was a Senior Management Consultant for Camp, Dresser and McKee (now CDM Smith).

Joe developed a strategy that consisted of alternative phasing pathways for the introduction of water supply sources to supplement the 66 MGD capacity of the Barkhamsted Reservoir system, a 1930s-era system that is fed by the East Branch of the Farmington River. A major product of the study was a set of strategic phasing alternatives that specified optimal points at which alternative supplementary water sources could be deployed to meet forecast demand.