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Commission hears concerns that Exeter dam removal could reshape Brentwood river and wetlands
Summary
Brentwood Conservation Commission members and an abutter raised concerns about impacts from a proposed Exeter dam removal, citing a VHB feasibility map that estimates the impoundment could be lowered up to 10 feet and narrowed as much as 83%, affecting about 3.5 miles of river and roughly 70 acres of impoundment in Brentwood.
Members of the Brentwood Conservation Commission heard an extended update and voiced concerns about the potential local impacts of the proposed Exeter dam removal during their meeting. A feasibility map and memo (prepared by the engineering firm VHB and discussed by meeting participants) show changes to the river profile that, according to discussion in the meeting, could lower the existing impoundment by up to 10 feet and narrow it by as much as 83% in places. Speakers at the meeting said the VHB materials estimate roughly 3.5 miles of river in Brentwood would be affected and about 70 acres of impoundment would disappear.
An abutter who spoke to the commission said the project could cause “greater environmental impact in Brentwood than this” and urged the commission and the select board to monitor the River Advisory Committee and DES (the state permitting authority). The abutter called for Brentwood to seek an independent peer review of wetland and wildlife impacts and noted that prior local studies had informed Exeter’s decision to pursue removal.
Commissioners discussed practical next steps: attending the River Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for July 16, asking the select board to write to Exeter and DES to request notice and standing, and considering funding or requesting an independent wetland scientist to peer-review VHB’s analyses. Members noted the DES permitting process includes public notice and the wetlands bureau’s review; one commissioner said the wetlands bureau has historically approved dam-removal permits but could require mitigation or conditions to lessen impacts.
Questions raised by commissioners and residents included how banks will stabilize after draining an impoundment, whether revegetation will occur naturally or require remediation, timelines for permit comment periods, and what mitigation or design changes DES or the engineering team might require. Several members emphasized that Brentwood needs to demonstrate it is monitoring the process so DES and Exeter understand the town’s concerns.
The commission did not vote on a formal position during the meeting. Members agreed to follow developments, encouraged attendance at river advisory and DES public meetings, and discussed whether the select board should send a letter requesting meaningful notice to Brentwood residents and the commission when designs or permit submissions are posted.
