Norwalk agency upholds enforcement order after Riverwalk Lane property found maintaining buffer as lawn

The Norwalk Conservation Commission and Inland Wetland Agency on April 8 upheld an enforcement order for 12 Riverwalk Lane after staff presented aerial imagery, site photos and permit records showing a previously established wetland buffer maintained as lawn.

Alexis, the commission's senior environmental officer, reviewed the chronology: a wetland permit issued for the site in February 2002 had required a boulder row to demarcate a buffer and the planting of shrubs, and that requirement was recorded on the deed. Alexis said recent site inspections and aerial photos from 2021–2024 show lawn extending from the boulder demarcation down to the river, and that staff issued a notice of violation on March 27, 2025 followed by a formal enforcement order on April 2, 2025. Alexis explained the statutory process for a show-cause hearing: "State statute requires that within 10 days of issuance there be a show cause hearing by the agency to provide an opportunity for the respondent to show cause why there is not a violation of the inland wetland regulations." (Alexis, Senior Environmental Officer.)

Diana Rowley, the property owner, told the agency she purchased the house in January 2021 and that the rear area appeared cleared and brown in the photographs she provided from December 2020. Rowley said she had seeded grass without realizing it was not allowed and described recurring flooding and rotting trees along the river edge; she asked for guidance on how to correct the site. Commissioner Catherine Knight and other members described restoration expectations — including reestablishing native vegetation, restoring canopy where possible and preparing a planting plan for the area between the boulder demarcation and the river — and Alexis offered to assist the owner in preparing a corrective action application.

The commission voted to uphold the enforcement order as written and directed the property owner to submit a corrective action permit application on or before May 13, 2025; work must be completed under any corrective action permit once issued. The motion to uphold the order passed unanimously. Alexis told Rowley staff can share prior corrective action examples and meet with her to prepare a viable restoration plan.

The agency and staff noted they are also reviewing adjacent properties along Riverwalk Lane for similar upland and riparian issues and will send reminder letters where permit conditions appear at risk of breach. The enforcement order and the requirement that a corrective action permit be submitted by May 13 will be reflected in the agency's written letter to the property owner.