During Hurricane Irene in August 2011, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) experienced a sewage spill due to a ruptured pipe. The spill and the subsequent repair sent more than 400,000 gallons of raw sewage pouring into a small cove in the Lafayette River. Approximately 300 square feet of the surrounding wetlands were eroded and some plants were damaged during the incident. As part of a remediation effort, HRSD backfilled the area, so that the filled grade matched the pre-storm grade. Afterwards, HRSD began a monitoring period to ensure that the vegetation would return naturally. Using GIS, a virtual grid was created in order to compare the growth of the plants over time. After one growing season, it was determined that the vegaetaion would not return on its own, consequently, HRSD planted Spartina alternaflora, a native wetland plant. The pictures here depict the damage done and how HRSD restored the wetlands to pre-event conditions.