Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Access Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hooksett commission signs off on wetlands permit by notification for seasonal dock with condition on increased use
Summary
A property owner on West River Road received conservation commission authorization to sign a wetlands permit by notification for a seasonal floating dock. The commission required a return for any change of use or increased activity, and limited initial activity to one seaplane and a small number of boats.
The Hooksett Conservation Commission on Wednesday authorized staff to sign a wetlands permit by notification for a seasonal floating dock at 4269 West River Road, subject to a condition that any change of use or increased intensity of activity would require the applicant to return to the commission.
Alden Bochman of Keyland Enterprises told the commission his company owns river frontage and seeks a seasonal floating dock to serve private use and occasional seaplane operations. Bochman said the state allows a 6‑by‑40‑foot dock and that his wetland scientist determined there would be no wetland impact from the proposed structure.
"It's a seasonal floating dock, so we have to pull it out every season," Bochman said. He described a modular configuration and said there are no plans for fueling or maintenance activities at the site.
Commissioners noted the Natural Heritage Bureau had raised questions about rare plants in the broader river corridor; Bochman said the flagged species were not on his site. The commission added a condition the applicant return if the use changes or if activity increases beyond the level described at the meeting.
Commissioner Phil Fitanides said he and others were concerned about potential contamination from fueling or maintenance and asked that any servicing or fueling trigger a municipal review. The commission’s conditional approval requires the applicant to seek further review if the use becomes commercial or if increased activity suggests an operational change.
At the meeting the commission clarified an operational limit: the dock as presented would hold one seaplane and, when the seaplane is present, up to two boats on the other side; if the plane is not present the dock could accommodate up to three boats. The commission unanimously voted to authorize signing the DES wetlands permit with the stated condition on increased use.
Votes and conditions The commission authorized staff to sign the wetlands application and attached a condition that any change of use, fueling, maintenance, or a sustained increase in vessels at the dock would require the applicant to return to the commission for review.
