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NMCB 3 Completes Spring Restoration Project

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100106-06
Release Date: 1/6/2010 3:48:00 PM

By Ensign Jason Kiel, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Alfa Company

ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 recently completed work on a project which restored a natural spring and habitat for indigenous turtles found on Naval Station Rota, Spain.

The environmental rejuvenation project was completed at the request of the Spanish Navy and through coordination with the local Public Works Department. Work included the removal of soil which had been discarded at the site two years ago, blocking flow from the spring and causing various environmental issues as a result.

The spring and surrounding land served as home to an indigenous Spanish Painter Turtle whose habitat was significantly reduced in size as a result of the hasty dumpsite selection. There was also a noted decrease in migratory birds using the spring and its surrounding area as a resting place on their way to and from Africa.

"When I first saw the spring site, I doubted that there had ever been water there," said Equipment Operator 3rd Class (SCW) William Walker, crew leader for the rejuvenation project.

When NMCB 3 received the call to take on the project, Alfa Company was ready to respond. The assignment was not a typical excavation project. One of the major challenges the crew faced was the daunting task of running heavy equipment over the unstable ground above the spring.

Alfa Company solved that problem by bringing in soil fill, which was carefully inspected to ensure its ability to achieve the required soil stability and load carrying capacity for NMCB 3's excavating equipment. They then used an excavator to remove the soil that had blocked the spring. They completed the work in four days, and thanks to their hard work, the spring has already shown encouraging signs of life.

Since the completion of the natural spring rejuvenation project, the water level in the spring has risen to approximately four feet, allowing plenty of room for the painter turtle to reclaim its habitat. The efforts of Walker and other personnel involved in the natural spring project illustrate that carefully planned environmental restoration efforts can make a difference.

NMCB 3 is one of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's warfighting support elements, providing host nation construction operations and security in support of overseas contingency operations.

For more information about U.S. Navy Seabees visit www.seabee.navy.mil.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb3/.