Existing conditions within the project area consisted of a cattle pasture containing a headwater tributary to Little Bennett Creek, a Use III natural trout stream. Past grazing and hoof impacts had resulted in an extremely incised and degraded channel, and impaired existing wetlands and water quality. The private agricultural landowner was willing to sell an easement along the riparian areas of pasture to allow performance of the proposed project and to protect the restored natural resources in perpetuity. Ecotone negotiated with the Montgomery County Dept. of Public Works & Transportation to obtain funding for the project to satisfy existing and future Montgomery County wetland and stream mitigation needs.

Ecotone prepared a design to raise the invert of the existing stream to allow it to communicate with the surrounding floodplain, and to create and restore forested wetlands throughout the surrounding floodplain areas. Wetland sod harvested within the project limits along with river gravel and cobbles were used to stabilize the restored channel. Plans included interception and daylighting of existing agricultural drain tiles to enhance wetland hydrology, and the installation of livestock exclusion fencing and a hardened ford crossing of the project to allow continued agricultural use of the surrounding farmland.

The project was designed, permitted, constructed, and planted during the period between November 1998 and November 1999. The landowner was compensated in return for recording a conservation easment on the restored wetland and stream acreage. The project resulted in the restoration of 1,196 linear feet of first-order Use III trout stream, the creation of 3.98 acres of forested wetland, and the restoration/enhancement of 0.48 acre of degraded existing wetland. Fencing and other agricultural BMPs, including a hardened ford crossing of the stream for cattle and equipment, were installed to allow continued agricultural uses of surrounding areas while protecting the restored resources.