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Consultants and commissioners press for clearer evidence on gravel expansion at 292 West Main
Summary
A Goddard Consulting scientist presented aerial and delineation analyses for a gravel-yard expansion at 292 West Main; commissioners requested an overlay of the consultant figures on the applicant's plan and a written quantification of historic disturbance to determine whether work is grandfathered under the Rivers Protection Act.
Nicole Hayes, a professional wetland scientist with Goddard Consulting, presented preliminary aerials and delineation results for a gravel-yard expansion at 292 West Main and said her team had traced disturbance back to 1996 aerials but the images are inconclusive.
“We went all the way back to 1996 … the aerial photographs are not very good,” Nicole said, noting the importance of deciding whether any degraded areas predate the Rivers Protection Act (1996), which could grandfather disturbance. She told the commission the landowner says he “top dressed the existing gravel area” and disputed new disturbance.
Commissioners pressed for a plan overlay that shows the consultant’s disturbed-area delineation superimposed on the applicant’s survey so the board can quantify what, if anything, is new. One commissioner said, “If we don't have an answer, the land owner is probably going to have an enforcement order on his doorstep,” and urged staff to seek clearer documentation by the next meeting.
John, the conservation director, asked the consultant to produce square-foot calculations and a written narrative that states whether the disturbed area was altered before the 1996 Rivers Protection Act. The commission said it will expect the overlay and narrative for the July 13 meeting and said staff will proceed with enforcement steps if the owner does not provide the requested evidence.
The consultant and commissioners also discussed surface composition: John said the site contains both top-dressed gravel and asphalt millings; commissioners asked for photographic documentation, an explicit square-foot summary of historical alteration, and a clear map overlay that aligns with the applicant's plan.
No formal enforcement motion was issued for 292 West Main at this meeting; the commission instructed staff and the consultant to return with the overlay and narrative that will allow the commission to determine whether mitigation or enforcement is required.
