Commission hears resubmitted plan for Ipswich Mills dam removal; public raises wildlife and access concerns

Horsley Witten Group consultant Neal Price, the Ipswich River Watershed Association and the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration presented a resubmitted Notice of Intent for the Ipswich Mills Dam Removal ecological restoration project, which previously received an Order of Conditions in November 2025 but was appealed over inadequate abutter notification. Price reviewed staging, erosion controls, dredge/fill activity, invasive-species monitoring and post-construction monitoring; he said the staging area will be on the paved public lot across Route 1A/133 and that grass areas will not be used to meet Section 106 requirements.

Public commenters raised multiple concerns. Carl Gardner asked the commission not to close the hearing and urged consideration of private-property restoration and freshwater mussel impacts; Cheryl Gorniewicz questioned the geographic scope of areas to be restored and resident access to the river; Denis Markiewicz urged preservation of existing wetlands; Anne Carroll urged closure of the hearing, citing MA DEP support. Chair Jennifer Hughes asked the applicant to address freshwater mussels and said ICC would confirm with Natural Heritage whether endangered-species concerns exist. The commission voted to continue the hearing to August 5, 2026 and instructed staff to prepare a draft OOC and follow up with Natural Heritage for species review.