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Board approves North Bridal Brook riparian planting; project to convert 2.63 acres of prior-converted pasture
Summary
Rutland County board approved a 2.63-acre riparian tree-planting on prior-converted pasture along North Bridal Brook, expected to plant about 900 stems and yield 6.49 kg/year phosphorus reductions; one board member abstained.
The Rutland County clean-water board approved a riparian tree-planting project along North Bridal Brook that will convert about 2.63 acres of prior-converted pasture to riparian vegetation.
Project presenter Sadie (program staff) described the site as 2.63 acres — mostly riparian area with some upland — and said the plan calls for roughly 900 stems (approximately 350 stems per acre) with planting planned for October. Staff estimated the project’s phosphorus reduction at 6.49 kilograms per year. The district would serve as implementer, as it did for two spring plantings, and the district has some funds available to support maintenance for a couple of years.
Staff said the project received a 79 out of 100 score on the staff review and scored well for surface-water and ecosystem importance. Board members discussed long-term protection: staff characterized the site as “prior converted” agricultural land that would lose that status after planting, which staff said would reduce the likelihood of the site returning to grazing or cropping and could yield longer-term credits compared with a 15-year O&M agreement. One participant cautioned that wetland classification and future uses can vary by site.
Shane moved to approve the project “as presented,” a motion that was seconded and passed on a voice vote; the transcript records Katie Crumley as abstaining. The board asked staff to bring maps and the co-benefits scoring matrix for the next meeting so members can review the scoring methodology in more detail.
