Redland Brick Preserves the Wetlands

A fishing path at Redland Brick?EUR??,,????'???s new Harmar plant in Cheswick, Pennsylvania. The company protected a wetlands area and trout stream.

CHESWICK, Penn.?EUR??,,????'??+With all the criticism of the manufacturing industry?EUR??,,????'???s supposed lack of commitment to protection of the environment, it?EUR??,,????'???s worth noting that the brick manufacturing sector has a decidedly positive story to tell in this area. As a result, a number of astute observers recognize that the clay brick industry is one of the more environmentally-friendly manufacturing sectors. One of thelatest illustrations of this stewardship is the lengths to which Redland Brick went to protect a wetlands area and regulated trout stream at its new Harmar plant in Cheswick, Pennsylvania.

Wetlands are defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an area ?EUR??,,????'??inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency to support a prevalence of vegetation generally including swamps and marshes.?EUR??,,????'?? Wetlands perform valuable service to the ecosystem. The EPA estimates up to one-half of North American bird species nest or feed in wetlands, and wetlands are home to 31 percent of America?EUR??,,????'???s plant species.

At the time Redland was developing plans for the Harmar plant?EUR??,,????'???s construction, executives identified a high quality, pristine wetland area near the expected construction site. The wetland was found to be fed by underground water, most likely coming from one of the numerous coal mines that commonly appear in western Pennsylvania. Test studies determined the water was safe for entry into a local trout stream, despite being so iron-rich that it had an orange tint upon release. But the wetlands filter the water and it becomes clear as it departs and enters the trout stream.

Redland recognized the importance of this critical filtering function by the wetlands. Redland altered the layout of its plant designs to not adversely impact the wetlands or its critical functions.