Conservation commission raises no objection to Sig Sauer range stormwater plan

The Brentwood Town Conservation Commission unanimously voted to state it had no objection or exception to an Alteration of Terrain (AOT) submission for stormwater work at the Sig Sauer shooting range.

Nick Lorenz, a project engineer with Jones & Beach, presented plans to add a bio‑retention pond with internal storage and a filtration "drip edge" to treat runoff from an existing gravel area, roof runoff and pavement adjacent to the 50‑yard range. "So we are asking for approval to build in this area, which is within the wetland buffer on this side," Lorenz said, describing the location of the proposed work and why permitting is now required.

Lorenz said the facility and much of the parking and gravel were built before current AOT thresholds applied, but that the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) and Alteration of Terrain review determined the overall site disturbance now requires permitting. He told the commission the project received state AOT approval the day before the meeting and that the town planning board will review the full application at its next meeting.

Commissioners questioned whether the work would intrude into the wetland itself and whether endangered wildlife would be harmed. Lorenz replied the work is in the wetland buffer and not in the wetland, and that the drainage structures and outlet details were sized per Fish & Game and DES guidance. "Since we've received AOT approval, our current plan ... shows 2‑inch on center grade sizes, which according to Fish and Game and DES is appropriate for wildlife not to get stuck within our outlet structure," he said.

Lorenz said the design aims to minimize additional disturbance and to replace disturbed gravel with stabilized, vegetated areas where possible. He offered to provide the commission with a copy of the state approval letter for the project file.

A motion that the commission had "no objection or exception" to the AOT submission was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The commission did not identify conditions or additional recommendations; the planning board will consider the full site application at its meeting next Thursday.