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Commission lifts enforcement order after college removes turf infill from wetlands
Summary
Staff inspected an area behind the Assumption College turf field and found no remaining rubber infill pellets; the commission voted to lift the enforcement order and the college will file a notice of intent for turf resurfacing later.
City staff told the Worcester Conservation Commission on June 9 that follow-up field inspections at Assumption College’s turf field (500 Salisbury Street) showed the bordering vegetated wetland outside the turf area had been cleared of migrated infill material and was recovering. The commission voted to lift the enforcement order for the site.
Staff reported it "went out and checked on it, and it was looking good," and added "I didn't see any of the little rubber pellets. There were plenty of tadpoles." Staff said the wetland showed vegetation and aquatic life, indicating restoration of the area outside the resurfaced turf.
Assumption College has not yet filed its notice of intent for the turf resurfacing project, staff said. The commission approved a motion to lift the enforcement order after reviewing the field report; the motion passed with aye votes from Commissioners Canton, Kirschner, Nystrom and Chair Diane Fattoni.
Why it matters: rubber infill migration from artificial turf can affect wetland substrate and aquatic life; staff inspections found removal appears successful and the site will be regulated through the forthcoming NOI for resurfacing.
