Conservation Commission approves permit to dredge Town Forest Pond with seasonal restriction

The Simsbury Conservation Commission on Thursday approved a wetlands permit allowing the town to dredge accumulated sediment from Town Forest Pond at 86 Town Forest Road, voting to impose erosion-control conditions and a seasonal restriction. The motion to approve application CC-2432 passed by voice vote.

The approval followed a presentation by Adam Kessler of the town engineering department, who said staff had ‘‘reached out to DEEP. They concurred with our findings. There are no documented species in this area based on the NDBP map,’’ but that commissioners should take precautions for undetected or hibernating species. Commissioners and staff discussed timing, and the commission included a condition that no activity occur before May 1.

The commission’s action found that short-term impacts could be managed by installation and maintenance of erosion- and sediment-control measures. The staff report and the draft motion presented by staff were incorporated into the motion; commissioners also noted that a ‘‘no action’’ alternative was considered and not recommended because the work is intended to enhance pond function by removing accumulated sediments and deepening portions of the pond.

The decision records the application’s assessor map information and site address in the public record. No public speakers voiced opposition during the continuation of the hearing, and the vote was recorded by voice: multiple commissioners said ‘‘Aye’’ with no oppositions noted.

Next steps: staff will circulate the final permit documentation and monitor compliance with the erosion-control conditions and the seasonal restriction before construction begins.