• Sep
    2018
    18
    2018 / Sep / 18

    Big Thompson River Restoration Master Plan

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    Logan Simpson developed a post-flood river restoration master plan along an 80-mile corridor. The plan was designed to improve the flood resilience of infrastructure and to restore the river corridor after the massive destruction caused by the flooding of September 2013. Logan Simpson led an extensive stakeholder and multiagency engagement program, and focused on small group discussions using large-format maps of the affected area, website information, interagency meetings, elected and appointed official briefings, and on online map commenting tool called sMap. The lead engineering firm conducted geomorphic and flood risk assessments; ecological habitat assessments; reach prioritization; and developed recommendations that Logan Simpson illustrated in prototypical plans and sections. Logan Simpson went on to prepare “A Bigger Vision for the Big T,” a restoration and conservation plan for restoring and enhancing public recreational opportunities and conserving lands along the river corridor. The plan was designed to prioritize strategic investment, coordinate funding strategies, and facilitate unified decision-making among stakeholders.

  • Aug
    2015
    25
    2015 / Aug / 25

    Canyon Lake Main Channel Maintenance Activities

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    The Salt River Project of Arizona proposed lowering the water level of Canyon Lake to conduct inspections and maintenance of structures, equipment, and hydroelectric facilities within the reservoir. Logan Simpson’s Clean Water Act permitting specialists prepared a CWA Section 404 individual permit and biological evaluation to allow dredging of approximately two miles of the Salt River bottom to remove sediment and debris that had built up in the Salt River channel and at water recycling intake structures. The dredging was timed to coincide with the lowering of the Canyon Lake water surface to allow routine maintenance of the Horse Mesa Dam. Logan Simpson conducted bald eagle surveys and coordinated with the USFWS and Tonto National Forest on potential impacts to threatened, endangered, and sensitive species of plants and wildlife. We also prepared conservation strategies and mitigation measures that were accepted by the USFWS and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

  • Aug
    2015
    22
    2015 / Aug / 22

    US 60 Gonzales Pass

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    As a landscape architecture firm, Logan Simpson has a long history of designing highly sustainable, context-sensitive transportation projects. This award-winning project involved widening approximately 10 miles of US 60 near Superior, Arizona to four lanes. Logan Simpson inventoried more than 35,000 native plants and developed revegetation plans incorporating salvaged trees, various cacti, and a native seed mix. Discussions with the Tonto National Forest determined the appropriate density (and number) of replanted materials. The revegetation at Reymert Wash included planting of salvaged trees to satisfy mitigation requirements in the EA and the CWA Section 404 permit cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl habitat connectivity. Logan Simpson’s Arizona landscape architecture design staff also developed extensive contour grading plans for the cut slopes and designed erosion/sediment control BMPs to meet NPDES requirements. The project earned a President’s Award (Best of Show) Valley Forward; an ADOT Partnering Award; and a Top 10 Project Award from Roads and Bridges Magazine.

  • Mar
    2014
    01
    2014 / Mar / 01

    Tres Rios Environmental Restoration

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    Logan Simpson was part of a multidisciplinary design build team responsible for the environmental restoration and rehabilitation for an approximately 1.5-mile reach of the Salt/Gila River between 107th and 119th Avenues  for the US Army Corps of Engineers, as sponsored by the City of Phoenix. The long-term goal was to restore native Sonoran Desert aquatic and riparian habitats along this Salt/Gila River reach. Multiple iterations of hydraulically-modeled, site-sensitive riverbed recontouring (grading) plans were prepared and evaluated for hydraulic efficiency and cost effectiveness.  The plans were developed with the intent to preserve important existing Cottonwood/Gooddings willow groupings that had been inventoried by Logan Simpson and known threatened and endangered species (Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Southwestern willow flycatcher) habitats, to replicate as closely as possible historic braided stream patterns and cross sections, to seamlessly accommodate storm drainage inflow sources into the overall restoration plan, and to create  sustainable, stratified native aquatic and riparian habitats. The project included the restoration of riparian and wetland marsh habitats, open water, and other upper terrace floodplain habitats along the River reach and the removal of exotic, invasive and/or noxious plants (predominantly Salt Cedar). Logan Simpson led the watercourse layout and alignment study, was the lead restoration designer, developed the restoration chapter of the Design Analysis Report, and prepared native plant inventories, landscape and wetland restoration plans, a SWPPP, a spill prevention control plan, and O&M guidance to assure long term success of the project.

    In addition, Logan Simpson was the primary designer for five trailheads that provide gateways to multiuse trails. We coordinated environmental artwork (betterments) that were integrated at various vantage points. Logan Simpson worked closely with the design builder and general contractor, engineers, specialty contractors, USACE, and the City of Phoenix to develop a project that met flood control, habitat and ecosystem restoration, effluent conveyance, and water reuse goals. The project has won numerous awards, including an Award of Excellence from the American Society of Landscape Architects (Arizona Chapter); APWA Public Works Project of the Year; an Honor Award from Missouri Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies; a Merit Award AND Design Excellence Award from the Design Build Institute of America; an Arzona Forward Crescordia Award; and a Build Arizona Award from the Association of General Contractors (Arizona Chapter).