Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

May 2, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION Lower-level Conference Room, 23 Union Street, Norwich, Connecticut Agenda Items A, B & C – Call To Order, Roll Call, Determination Of Quorum: Chairman Raymond Baribeault called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Raymond Baribeault, Chairman Richard Morell, Vice-Chairman Douglas S. Lee Barbara Rothstein Philip Kiley Robert McCoy, Alt Absent: Jeremiah Lowney Ralph Page Brandon Hyde Art Sharron, Alternate Also Present: Peter Davis, Director Linda Lee Smith, Recording Secretary It was determined there was a quorum. D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Philip Kiley and second by Barbara Rothstein the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the January 3, 2013 regular meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: None F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None G. OLD BUSINESS: 1. IWWCC #13-04 – 41 Wawecus St - Application from Phelps Dodge Industries, Inc. dba Freeport-McMoRan Copper Products for stormwater improvements to an existing system including maintenance to portions of the system to conduct a Regulated Activity within an Inland Wetland or Watercourse Area. Peter Davis stated it would need to be tabled until the next regular meeting, due to the required 30 day public petition period. Upon motion by Douglas Lee and seconded by Richard Morell the Commission voted unanimously to TABLE the application until the next regular scheduled meeting of June 6, 2013, in order to comply with the required 30 day petition period. H. NEW BUSINESS: I. New Business items submitted after agenda preparation and prior to the submission deadline: 1. IWWCC#13-05 – Application from Barry Ellison, Director of Norwich Public Works to replace existing culvert and reconstruct Montville Road bridge over Trading Cove Brook at the Norwich/Montville town line to conduct a Regulated Activity within an Inland Wetland or Watercourse Area. Peter Davis stated it would need to be tabled until the next regular meeting, due to the required 30 day public petition period. Upon motion by Richard Morell and seconded by Philip Kiley the Commission voted unanimously to TABLE the application until the next regular scheduled meeting of June 6, 2013, in order to comply with the required 30 day petition period. J. Other Business: 1. IWWCC #13-04 41 Wawecus St. Flood Plain activities application referral from CCP for Phelps Dodge Industries, Inc. dba Freeport – McMoRan Copper Products. Activities associated with improvements and maintenance to stormwater system. Peter Davis explained the flood plain application was being referred from CCP. He gave a brief history about the project because the work being done has been requested and will be supervised by DEEP in addition to city staff. He stated it’s an advisory opinion from the Commission relative to any potential impacts to the flood plain resources on the proposed project. Peter Davis explained the new work being proposed with the existing stormwater drain structures. He stated the activities associated with the flood plain are the sediment and filtration basins, sediment forebay and other improvements to the flood drainage. He stated the drainage system is close to total disrepair, and it’s a substantial impact to the Yantic River resource. Peter Davis stated the work has been delayed because it was part of the DEEP consenter and plans had to be submitted to DEEP. When Mr. Davis spoke to DEEP he informed DEEP that a permit could be issued for some of the work based on the existing conditions and impacts as emergency repair maintenance. Mr. Davis stated they are also doing other work with DEEP requirements. Everything will go through the wetlands commission. Peter Davis stated the elevation is 96’ with 100 year flood plain. The repairs and maintenance to portions of the existing system are in disrepair and after completion will have been properly engineered and sized. The associated 2 activities are the repairs to the existing system and expansion to replacing the modified riprap, and considerable regrading. A sedimentation infiltration basin will be created to provide secondary treatment for stormwater before it’s released. The excavated 2,000 cu yards of material for the regrading, if the material is suitable, would be used on-site to construct an access road to maintain the sedimentation basins. The requirement of DEEP is to make sure the basins are maintained and function properly. Most of the basins are an estimate of 3’ depth. Peter Davis reminded the members this application pertains to the flood plain regulations. Mr. Davis asked the Commission to keep in mine the following. Are they creating any impediments or any public hazards as a result of the project? Are there any issues of reduction in compensatory storage? Is there a fairly significant compensatory storage because of the basins? Mr. Davis also stated there will be some clearing. Mr. Davis stated the site has been so impacted by the sediment load in the river and with the site drainage there has been a loss of vegetation. The loss of vegetation would be temporary during construction and would recover within a short time period. Mr. Davis stated the contractor used would be familiar with wetlands and low flow periods. Peter Davis stated it was his opinion that this project would correct an ongoing problem and it’s been detrimental to the adjacent resources and the flood plain. There are no impediments, it’s a floodway and they are not putting anything in the floodway. Overall Mr. Davis stated it’s an improvement to the flood plain, with an urgency to have it completed. It is an advisory opinion and next month the commission will vote on the wetlands application. Joe, site plan supervisor and Mr. Spellman were in attendance to answer questions. Robert McCoy questioned it’s not a business; it’s just related to water? Peter Davis said yes its stormwater that comes off the site. Richard Morell asked if it was a raised road bed? Mr. Davis stated yes. Richard Morell asked if it would be like a little berm. Peter said yes and there is no access there presently. Mr. Davis stated they are tying the 92’ elevation at the bottom to elevation about 106’, and down to 92’ at the bottom is probably 90’. Douglas Lee asked over how long of a range? Mr. Davis stated 120’ +/-. Douglas Lee stated it’s not a serious grade. Mr. Davis stated this application is for the flood plain referral only. Richard Morell asked if the soil was not suitable would they take it off-site and bring in other soil. Mr. Davis stated yes. Motion was made by Douglas Lee and second by Richard Morell for a FAVORABLE recommendation to CCP and to include the issues of not reducing the compensatory storage, and creating impediments. Motion carried unanimously. K. Violations: None 3 K. Adjournment Upon motion by Richard Morell and second by Barbara Rothstein, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:13 pm. Respectfully submitted, Linda Lee Smith, Recording Secretary 4