For the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, protecting natural resources means working in harmony with the land, not against it. That’s why the Terramac RT14R was the ideal solution for this long-term bank stabilization project along Salt Creek, where repeated flooding had caused significant erosion. With its ability to navigate sensitive terrain while minimizing environmental impact, the RT14R helped ensure progress could be made without compromising the very ecosystem the project aims to protect.
The area includes wetlands and other sensitive environments, so crews can only operate under specific conditions. “With a lot of wetland and sensitive areas, we can only work while the ground is frozen and we can only use certain equipment,” explains Mike Wiseman, Grounds Maintenance Manager for the Forest Preserve District. Terramac creates less pressure on the ground than a wheeled vehicle, so has been critical in the protection of native plants while still moving the necessary materials.
“One of the reasons we are using the track truck around here,” Wiseman says, “is that we can use that to get fairly close to the bank and it’s very efficient to drive along the bank while we are dumping, setting it up for the excavator to shape the bank line for the restoration.”
This method enables crews to operate exactly where they’re needed while minimizing soil compaction and preserving the integrity of surrounding vegetation. This ensures the job gets done without leaving a lasting footprint on the environment.
Efficiency is also key. “We have been able to move about 350 tons of cobble from a stockpile about ¼ mile away to bring it down to the riverbanks,” Wiseman notes. That material is essential for reinforcing the banks, ensuring they can better withstand future flooding events.
While the work is vital, it isn’t without obstacles. “The biggest challenge for us out here is we are working in the middle of a golf course and we have irrigation to deal with, and most of the area through here is wetlands—different plants and parts of the ecosystem that we have to be careful of,” Wiseman says.
Mike is proud of his team for the work they have accomplished and looks forward to future projects where track trucks can once again play a vital role. By combining the right timing, specialized equipment, and careful planning, the Forest Preserve District is making sure this stretch of Salt Creek remains stable and healthy for years to come and without compromising the ecosystems that depend on it.
