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Commission approves DPW emergency work to breach beaver dam after impoundment grows
Summary
Commission authorized emergency DPW work to breach a beaver-formed abutment impounding about 3–3.5 feet near Apalachian/LaChance Street on Mahoning (transcribed also as 'Mahoney') Brook, citing risk to surge infrastructure and upstream stagnation; members noted permitting considerations with 'mass fishing wildlife.'
Commission members heard from staff that beaver activity had created a new abutment on the stream near Apalachian Street that was impounding roughly 3 to 3.5 feet of water. Staff said the Department of Public Works wanted to breach the dam to return flows to normal hydrologic conditions, reduce stagnation upstream, and avoid over-burdening existing surge infrastructure.
Commissioners discussed the need for a specific permit from “mass fishing wildlife” before altering beaver habitat, and also noted that the work was being framed as an emergency to reduce flood risk. After discussion, members moved, seconded, and approved an emergency authorization for DPW to perform the necessary breach/repair work for the LaChance Street / Mahoning Brook area by voice vote.
The commission asked that staff track any required permits and the presence of qualified contractors for beaver relocation or habitat-sensitive work and to confirm permit compliance before or concurrent with any fieldwork.
