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Homeowners get approval to remove invasives, build boardwalk and paths at 22 Parish Lane
Summary
Commission approved a plan for the Gabrielsons to remove invasive plants, install elevated boardwalk across wetlands, and add walking paths and native plantings; approval included two special conditions (plan correction and as-built survey).
The Inland Wetlands Commission on June 16 unanimously approved an application from property owners Daniel and Jillian Gabrielson to remove invasive species, install elevated boardwalk sections across wetlands, and create low-impact walking paths and native plantings at 22 Parish Lane.
The project will remove nonnative shrubs such as Japanese barberry, goutweed and porcelain berry, plant native shrubs and perennials, and install elevated sections of boardwalk supported on helical piers to reduce ground disturbance. The commission required two special conditions: (1) resubmission of a corrected site plan that clarifies the wetland boundary pointer and the final boardwalk crossing location, and (2) submission of as-built drawings after construction.
Agent Troy (presenting for the Gabrielsons) described three project goals: removal of invasives, introduction of native plantings (carex, lobelia, ostrich and royal ferns, pawpaw and others), and limited-access boardwalks to permit owners to access and enjoy the woodland without trampling sensitive areas. The plan calls for about 100 linear feet of raised timber boardwalk (4 feet wide) across wetlands and approximately 300 linear feet of on-grade walking paths in upland areas; most work is planned for hand construction with posts installed by auger. The applicant said only a single large dead tree is planned for removal, and the planting plan adds several trees (including Taxodium and Nyssa/Taxus entries) and a mixture of shrubs and plugs.
Commissioners asked for clearer mapping of wetland limits and for the final boardwalk alignment to be reflected in the permit documents. Director Kathleen Holland recommended, and commissioners included, as conditions that the corrected plan be submitted prior to issuance and that an as-built survey be submitted upon completion of the elevated structures and trail system. Commissioner Daniel Stepanek moved to approve IW-25-19 with those conditions; Commissioner Adam Ramirez seconded and the vote was unanimous.
