The CBT-MDE Restoration Project site is on the North Farm of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The BARC facility contains over 6,600 acres of agricultural fields, offices, and research laboratories. The 13-acre restoration area is located on part of a former Spray Irrigation Field (SIF). The SIF was previously comprised of modified agricultural wetlands, disturbed upland meadow, and a comprehensive ditch network. Prior to being converted to active agricultural production, the SIF was comprised of a headwater wetland and stream complex. The SIF was converted from active agricultural production and created for the disposal of treated, sanitary, wastewater.

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Restoration activities included installing aquifer connections; creating a stream channel; re‐establishing previously disturbed/degraded wetlands by restoring headwater hydrology/hydraulics and community composition, diversity and structure; installation of deer and goose exclusion fence; planting and seeding of native wetland and upland vegetation; re‐vegetation and creation of micro topography; and the treatment of invasive plant species. These activities have resulted in the restoration of a forested headwater wetland on all planned wetland restoration/creation and enhancement areas. This project promotes State and Federal objectives of implementing compensatory mitigation with collected in‐lieu fees, in addition to state and regional objectives for: watershed management, ecosystem restoration, water quality and wildlife habitat improvement, open space use/management, and green infrastructure connections by improving the ecosystem services. Construction on this project was completed in June 2017, and initial monitoring of the site shows success of the restoration projects.