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Norwalk Shellfish Commission to seek DEEP meeting on Manresa Island oil-tank removals
Summary
At its July 10 meeting, the Norwalk Shellfish Commission said it will ask the state agency DEEP to explain the regulatory process followed for removal of oil tanks on Manresa Island and requested a joint meeting with local commission leaders.
The Norwalk Shellfish Commission said at its July 10 meeting it will request a meeting with the state environmental regulator to learn what regulatory process governed recent removal of oil tanks on Manresa Island.
The commission's secretary said he had "made a couple inquiries to DEEP, in particular with Mister Ray Fergone, who's at a director level there," and that DEEP indicated it "would like to meet." The secretary told commissioners he wanted to "kill several birds with one stone" by arranging a Zoom call that would include Chairman Kibbe, Dr. Pinto and Mr. Stedman to learn what oversight was applied.
The secretary said the removals were "a good thing," but added: "It just needs a good and thorough review by the people who are the local experts." A commission member asked whether DEEP had sent any paperwork; Bill, the commission's Department of Health representative, replied, "That's my understanding as well," that no materials had been received.
Commissioners discussed scheduling a short remote meeting to clarify what regulatory steps — permitting, notifications or other state processes — were followed. A participant suggested the removal should at minimum have a certificate or paperwork; the transcript records this as a question about whether there should be "at least the COP or something like that of moving stuff and taking away," but the meeting did not identify any specific document or confirm its existence.
No formal motion or vote was taken. The commission's stated direction was to coordinate a joint discussion with DEEP to gather documentation and clarify which state requirements applied to the work on Manresa Island.
Background: the secretary raised the item while reporting on business from the Norwalk Harbor Management Commission and contrasted the island work with other local permit reviews. The commission did not receive state documents before the July 10 meeting and did not set a date for the requested meeting; it said it would follow up to propose times and invite the named local commission leaders and DEEP staff.
Next steps: staff and commissioners will attempt to schedule a Zoom or telephone meeting with DEEP to review the regulatory process and any supporting documents; the commission recorded no deadline or formal vote on the matter.
