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Engineer and soil scientist outline mitigation plan for Breezy Knoll development
Summary
Applicant’s engineer and soil scientist described invasive-species removal, wetland excavation/creation, and erosion-control measures to offset 633 sq ft of proposed fill; commissioners asked for more detail on longevity and monitoring of engineered wetlands.
At the Jan. 7 Inland Wetlands Commission meeting, the applicant’s team described planned mitigation to offset a small wetland fill associated with the proposed two-lot development on Breezy Knoll.
Soil scientist George Logan conducted a delineation in March–April 2024 and flagged features across the project area; engineer David Whitney said Logan recommended removing invasive species such as Japanese barberry, planting several hundred feet of wetland buffer plantings, excavating an area about one foot deeper to create roughly 0.5 acres of new wetland and enhancing roughly 0.4 acres to compensate for the 633 square feet of fill proposed for a small wetlands finger.
Whitney described erosion-control details on the plans, including double rows of silt fence and straw wattle at limits of disturbance, grading plans, and proposed vegetative buffers at the edge of yards. Commissioners asked how life expectancy and maintenance of engineered wetlands would be assured; Whitney acknowledged skepticism about artificially created wetlands and said he would consider removing some fill to re-establish hydrologic connection and would discuss maintenance and monitoring options with Logan and the applicants.
Commissioners asked staff to ensure that any mitigation plan include concrete maintenance, monitoring and contingency provisions so created wetlands achieve intended functions over time.
