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Columbia resident says she added sand to boat ramp; commission cites wetland-fill concern and plans remediation
Summary
At its June 1 meeting the Inland Wetlands Commission addressed a violation at 142 Route 87 after a May 28 letter reported sand placed on a concrete boat ramp. Staff said the material meets the commission's definition of wetland fill; the homeowner agreed to attempt removal and staff will inspect post-removal.
At the June 1, 2026 meeting of the Inland Wetlands Commission in Columbia, Connecticut, commissioners took up a complaint that sand had been placed on the shoreline at 142 Route 87 and discussed steps to remediate the material.
Staff member Savannah told the commission she mailed a violation notice on May 28 but the notice was returned; she later drove by and photographed sand deposited at the edge of the lake. "Under our regulations, that is considered fill of a wetland," she said, noting the sand was migrating into the lake and could affect vegetation and aquatic life.
Homeowner Jennifer Stevens told the commission she had placed play sand on a concrete boat ramp because very low lake levels left the ramp exposed and she was worried her young grandchildren would fall: "I just didn't realize I couldn't do that," she said. Stevens said the delivery was about "a dump load" and that she had asked a local landscaping supplier for the material.
Commission members described two overlapping concerns: wetlands rules enforced by the commission's enforcement authority and separate shoreline guidelines overseen by the board of selectmen and lake management. Mary Bridal, who identified herself as a member of lake management, advised Stevens about the shoreline guidelines and offered to help connect her with equipment to remove sand.
The homeowner said she would try to hire help but also asked whether the town could assist. Commissioners suggested locating someone with a tractor or front-end loader to move the material into a truck; Bridal and others offered follow-up help. Savannah said she would perform a post-removal inspection and, if satisfied, remove the violation from the file.
Separately, the commission voted to advance a rewritten inland-wetlands violation citation and procedures to the board of selectmen for their consideration. The motion was moved by a commissioner and seconded, and it passed by voice/hand vote; the meeting transcript records that members signaled "Aye" in favor but does not list a formal tally.
The commission did not announce any civil penalties at the meeting and emphasized remediation and compliance. Savannah and lake-management volunteers agreed to follow up with the homeowner about assistance and a post-removal inspection.
What happens next: the homeowner expects to attempt removal with help and Savannah will do a post-removal inspection; the rewritten citation and procedures will be advanced to the board of selectmen.
