Commission and committee members gave several updates on regional planning and state permitting during the Nov. 6 Norwalk Shellfish Commission meeting, focusing on watershed planning, pending DOT highway projects and DEEP remediation permits that could affect shellfish resources.

Chairman Kibbe summarized recent activity on the Norwalk River watershed plan update and said a public meeting took place Sept. 27; he encouraged commissioners to offer written recommendations before the next public session in December. Kibbe said he had provided the watershed consultant with harbor-management water-quality policies and recommended policies to manage highway and bridge pollutants and to clarify resiliency language for floodplain management.

Kibbe flagged the Route 7/Merritt Parkway project as a potential source of increased impervious surfaces near the Norwalk River and said he expects stormwater controls similar to those used for the Yankee Doodle Bridge project. He asked the watershed consultant and Soundkeeper to monitor design details as the project proceeds.

Permitting and hearing procedures: commissioners discussed a recent change in state law that altered the evidentiary hearing standard for petitions (a petition with 25 signatures no longer automatically triggers an evidentiary hearing); they referenced recent cases in Greenwich and other Connecticut towns and noted the practical implications for local petitioners and commissioners. The Seaview Avenue informational hearing was scheduled for Dec. 11, with a written-comment deadline noted.

Riese Island remediation: members reviewed a DEEP draft stewardship permit that would set remediation responsibilities for a former power-plant site. The Harbor Commission supported issuance of the stewardship permit on the condition that the permit and subsequent remedial action plans explicitly include remediation of marine sediments near natural shellfish beds; DEEP staff indicated remediation of marine sediments would be covered but commissioners requested clearer permit language and public review opportunities for detailed remedial action plans.

Connecticut Port Authority grants and other funding: the commission reported a $3.5 million Connecticut Port Authority award for East Norwalk Basin marina improvements and discussed timing for the next SHIP grant round and the Port Authority's role in ongoing municipal authority conversations.

Siting council concern: commissioners criticized recent Siting Council actions for lack of explanation when the council reversed an apparent approval vote on a transmission project affecting Fairfield and Bridgeport, noting such unexplained reversals limit applicants' and agencies' ability to respond.

No formal votes on these items were taken by the Shellfish Commission; commissioners agreed to continue coordination with the Harbor Management Commission, DEEP and watershed consultants and to provide written comments to upcoming state and local reviews.