County staff report riprap placed into wetlands at Meadville Drive; owners plan living-shoreline restoration

County staff reported that heavy equipment had been used to place riprap into wetlands at the end of Meadville Drive, but that the material has since been removed from the wetland and the property owners are preparing a restoration plan.

Paul Watson said the property owners had recently purchased the home and relied on incorrect advice from local town staff and contractors. The contractor cleared vegetation, scraped the bank and placed rock in the wetland. Neighbors alerted county staff, who responded within hours; staff said the affected wetland area of rock was relatively small (on the order of 10 to 12 square feet), machinery was removed from the wetland, and the owners engaged coastal restoration consultant Ellen Grimes to prepare a living-shoreline plan.

Watson said he expects a JPA that will include an overall restoration plan and repurposing of the removed rock into a revetment with grasses planted landward. Board members characterized the owners as cooperative and said the living-shoreline approach is appropriate for the site. No enforcement motion was taken; staff will present the forthcoming JPA when it is submitted.