FAQ (Construction)
Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ) – Construction
1. Will construction occur on my private?
Construction will only take place within the homeowners’ association (HOA) open space as outlined on the plat.
2. Will construction equipment enter into the construction site through the community?
No, access to the construction site will be through the school campus. The easement on the plat does not connect to any of the roads within the community.
3. What time of year can construction take place?
Construction within the stream can only take place between May 1 and September 30. The timing for construction is based on the stream designation assigned by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This project is located in the Bynum Run watershed which is a designated trout stream (Use III) with in-stream construction restrictions from October 1st through April 30th.
4. When will construction start?
Construction can start as soon as property agreements are finalized with the (HOA). The contract mechanism for this project is design - build. Resources Environmental Services, LLC or RES was hired by Harford County to design and construct the project.
5. How long will it take to complete construction?
Approximately 8 months. This includes the construction within the stream channel itself and the surrounding landscaping afterwards. Construction is completed from upstream to downstream. The contractor is able to complete approximately 50 feet of stream restoration per day. As the contractor moves downstream, the areas completed are stabilized and equipment is moved downstream. Construction on the HOA property should be completed within the first 3 months of construction.
6. What are the normal workday hours?
The County has proposed that the contractor limit their workday to 7 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. There will be no regular weekend work.
7. Can the contractor excavate directly in the stream?
No, the contractor must use a pump and pipe to direct the stream around the active construction area. Pumps are used only during working hours. At the end of each workday, the contractor must stabilize the construction area and return to the stream to flow naturally. Summer months produce the lowest flow within the streams. Therefore, it is possible that pumps will only run intermittently during the workday.
8. How is the active construction area flagged?
Orange safety fence will be installed along the limit of disturbance. The orange safety fence is a visual barrier but can easily be crossed. It should not be considered a barrier to keep someone from entering the construction site. At no time, should anyone enter into the construction site during active construction and are strongly advised against entering the site after-hours.
9. Who will be overseeing the contractor's work?
There will be a County inspector and a site foreman on site daily. One of the project designers will also be on site several days a week. Biweekly meetings will also occur on site during construction.
10. What do I do if there is an after-hours emergency related to the construction site?
The County will be providing a 24-hour emergency contact for the contractor.
11. Will trees need to be removed for construction?
Yes, trees will be removed to allow for equipment access and to allow for grading to align the new stream. The County has taken an inventory of trees within the construction area that are 18" or larger in diameter. The inventory also includes species and health. Those trees with poor health have been targeted for removal, including white ash trees that are currently experiencing a decline due to the Emerald Ash Borer. Tree removal will be consistent with the Forest Conservation Act. 58 trees (18”+) are proposed to be removed, 24 on the HOA property and 34 on the school property. The design plans provide more details.
4,090 bareroot trees (between 8" and 3') are proposed to be planted. This quantity is higher than required and has been proposed to increase the overall tree density. The contractor will be required to sustain the trees for one year with an 80% survivability. The County will take over long term maintenance using an on-call landscaper.
12. What should I expect as a property owner during construction?
Stream restoration appears very messy during construction and can be loud at times. Pumps will run at least intermittently and possibly during the full workday. Equipment used for construction is large and noisy and at times includes backup beeping. There is also large stone to be installed in various locations along the stream. Some of the stone must be moved, dumped, placed and adjusted and can be noisy.