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Waverly board approves tentative plan to allow limited extensions for APA wetland violations
Summary
The Waverly Town Board agreed to a tentative framework letting leaseholders request time-limited extensions to correct APA wetland violations if they submit a written remediation plan; the board asked for specifics and will define parameters at the next meeting.
The Waverly Town Board on June 13 adopted a tentative plan to allow leaseholders with Atlantic-Pacific (APA) wetland violation notices on South River Road to apply for limited extensions if they provide a written remediation plan.
Town Supervisor Ernie said the APA set a general compliance deadline of Oct. 20 and that the board had heard leaseholders’ claims of financial hardship and of storm damage from August 2024 that complicated remediation. A resident who spoke during public comment described having spent about $1,500 already to clean leased lots and said storm runoff deposited gravel and sand into wetland edges.
Board member Tim moved the tentative plan and Board member Billy seconded; the motion passed. The board’s direction requires leaseholders seeking extensions to submit a written plan outlining work to be done and a timetable. "We're going to create a formula… so that people submit a plan if they want an extension," the Town Supervisor said during the discussion.
In debate, members emphasized seasonal constraints on remediation work (winter is not a viable construction window) and distinguished minor from major violations. The board discussed past staff guidance that may have led leaseholders to believe certain work was permitted, and acknowledged those past communications when considering relief.
The board did not record a detailed vote tally in the public transcript and did not set exact extension lengths at the meeting. Members agreed to draft specific parameters and review applications at the next board meeting. The board also discussed auctioning abandoned lease lots with the condition that successful bidders must remedy any outstanding wetland violations.
What happens next: staff will prepare written extension criteria and an application process for board review at the next meeting; leaseholders will be required to submit plans to be considered for extensions. The APA compliance date of Oct. 20 remains the agency’s deadline.
