Rod Fry, Envirem Organics - Compost Council of Canada

Replacing Wetland Functionswith Compost Enriched Topsoiland Bio-RetentionWe believe that the above three key wetland functions can not onlybe reinstated and replaced, but may even be enhanced throughimplementation of a simple set of SustainableResidential/Commercial Land Development Practices as follows;1. All land areas within the total development footprint must be cappedand re-vegetated with a minimum 6-inch layer of organic-matterenriched topsoil (note that organic-matter enriched soils have theability to absorb and retain 1.88 gallons per cubic foot and thatwould far exceed any natural wetland soil type),2. All land areas which must be unavoidably developed directly withinan area of exposed surface water of a wetland should be replacedwith a constructed wetland providing similar capacities (noteconstructed wetlands can be designed to provide equivalentcapacity through smaller footprint by utilizing greater thickness oforganic-matter enriched wetland soil and use of hydraulic controls),