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Farmington commission approves restoration plan after Summers Way wetlands violation
Summary
Following a cease‑and‑desist for unauthorized clearing in a conservation easement, the commission approved a restoration plan requiring removal of imported fill, native plantings, erosion controls and a three‑year monitoring period; permanent markers or a fence will demarcate the conservation boundary.
The Farmington Inland Wetlands Commission on April 15 approved a restoration plan to resolve a wetlands violation at 24 Summers Way and cleared conditions for the homeowner to proceed with restorative work.
Homeowner Ryan Ferguson told the panel he had sought to permit a backyard pool and, when staff identified prior unauthorized clearing within the protected conservation easement, engaged JM Wetland Consulting. Wetland scientist Jim McManis said site investigation found roughly 12 inches of imported fill soil over former wetland soils in the lawned area.
"We're going to remove the 12 inches of fill soil and bring it down to the original wetland soil," McManis said, and then plant native shrubs, trees and herbaceous species to restore wetland function and habitat. He recommended leaving several established evergreen hedgerows in place where they provide a buffer and are well‑established, but restoring the lawned interior to native wetland planting.
Commissioners required standard erosion and sediment controls (silt fence, and straw waddles where the town requires them), temporary mulch only at plantings, and a three‑year monitoring and maintenance period overseen by the project wetland scientist. The homeowner also agreed to install permanent conservation‑easement markers (or a split‑rail fence with labeled posts) to make the non‑disturbance boundary visually clear to future owners.
The commission approved the restoration plan by motion; the work must be performed under the supervision of the wetland scientist and the town’s staff, with monitoring reports and photos provided for three growing seasons following implementation.
What happens next: The homeowner may proceed with soil stripping and plantings under the plan; staff and the wetland scientist will coordinate a fall 2026 inspection and subsequent annual monitoring reports.
