As DeSoto County Grows, Officials Call on Pickering

Issue: As Mississippi's fastest growing county prepares to expand its infrastructure to keep pace with the demands of a growing population, DeSoto County officials called Pickering to conduct wetlands delineation on five different potential treatment plant sites, totaling more than 800 acres. In addition, Pickering conducted a cultural resources survey for more than 90 miles of linear pipeline easements as part of the DeSoto County Infrastructure project.

Approach: Our Pickering team identified key wetland areas and recommended alternatives to avoid impacts, possible mitigation and possible relocation of the proposed pipeline. Pickering's required professional archaeologist performed preliminary studies on two pipeline routes, identifying several issues of possible concern including the potential significance.

Tasks: Our activities included:

• Delineation of wetlands on more than 800 acres
• Recommendation of ways to avoid potential adverse impacts on wetlands
• Evaluation of more than 90 miles of linear pipeline easements
• Completion of a Cultural Resource Survey required by state historic preservation officials
• Recommendation of ways to avoid potential adverse impact on an archaeological site
• Information gathering regarding threatened or endangered species, species of concern, wilderness or wildlife preserves, wild and scenic rivers and national natural landmarks in the proposed area

Result: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, has concurred with all of Pickering's wetland findings. Pickering has also been selected to provide all permitting, mitigation design, construction and planting supervision, and wetland success monitoring.