Ledyard IWWC approves Bush Pond culvert replacement with conditions

The Ledyard Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission on July 7 approved application IWWC 26‑15 to replace the existing Bush Pond (Whitford Brook) culvert with a larger box culvert intended to improve hydraulic capacity.

Mr. Mazlin, the project presenter, said the current culvert is failing and the replacement is needed to handle typical flows and larger storm events. “It’s going to be a more contemporary box culvert to handle the flows that meet theoretically [the] 100‑year flood,” he said. Staff reported the permanent wetland disturbance would be limited — “only 66 square feet” — and that the project includes cofferdams, continuous monitoring and erosion‑control measures during construction.

Commissioner Cabralo moved approval contingent on conditions spelled out in the motion, which require soil‑erosion and sediment controls installed prior to work, inspection by the enforcement officer before construction, and review of any future plan changes by the wetlands official or the IWWC. The motion cited the Commission’s regulations and referenced Connecticut General Statutes section 22a‑40. The motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the culvert replacement is intended to restore hydraulic function and reduce localized flooding risk along Whitford Brook while minimizing permanent wetland impacts. The commission’s conditions emphasize sediment controls, inspections and a requirement that any plan changes return to the wetlands official or the Commission.

Next steps: the applicant will implement the specified erosion‑control and monitoring measures and proceed with permitting and construction steps subject to the commission’s conditions.