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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report\\planning\planningoffice$\CurrentProjects\IWC\2021\Archived\221 IWC 1 (83 Pink Row) General Maintenance & Emergency Repair (WPCA)\Staff\Staff Report 3-18-2021.docx Staff Report Application 221 IWC 1 Hybrid Regular Meeting – Thursday, March 18, 2021 Applicant(s): Town of Montville Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) Address: Various – All Municipal Water & Sewer Lines Meeting Date: March 18, 2021 Date Received by IWC: February 18, 2021 Applicant Request: General permit to conduct routine maintenance and emergency repairs with respect to all municipal water and sewer lines. Activity Description: Wetland Disturbance Area * Watercourse/Waterbody Disturbance Area * Upland Review Disturbance Area * * “Minimized to the extent necessary to adequately maintain cross-country water and/or sewer utility lines and to effect emergency maintenance repairs”. STAFF COMMENTS:  Application is for a general permit to conduct routine maintenance and emergency repairs with respect to all municipal water and sewer lines.  A discussion was held at the 02/18/2021 IWC meeting, regarding the definitions of “Maintenance”, “Repairs” and “Capital Improvements” as the terms relate to the work proposed to be performed in this general permit application. Applicant stated that this permit is for repairs and maintenance, but that future capital improvements require additional individual permits.  In review: Applicant states recent experience has demonstrated the aging systems need increased maintenance & repair as lack of attention has caused the municipal easement areas to become “grown-in” with trees and other vegetation. Access improvements must be installed within these easements in order to enable emergency vehicles and equipment to access the utility easement areas to perform routine maintenance and emergency repairs. Efforts will be made to minimize disturbance to both wetlands and upland review areas by confining maintenance and repair operations to the limits of the utility easements that have previously been granted to the Town of Montville with the original installation of utility lines. General Procedures, Construction Sequencing and Construction Period Maintenance details are provided in the narrative accompanying the application. \\planning\planningoffice$\CurrentProjects\IWC\2021\Archived\221 IWC 1 (83 Pink Row) General Maintenance & Emergency Repair (WPCA)\Staff\Staff Report 3-18-2021.docx CONSIDERATIONS FOR ACTION: If the Commission is inclined to approve this application, the following language for a motion of approval is suggested: M O T I O N (A Motion to Approve) After giving due consideration to all relevant factors, including those in Section 10 of the Montville Inland Wetland Regulations and Section 22a-41 of the Connecticut General Statutes, I move to approve Application 221 IWC 1, submitted by the Town of Montville Water Pollution Control Authority for a General Permit to conduct routine maintenance and emergency repairs with respect to all municipal water and sewer lines, as submitted and as more fully described in a narrative entitled “ Narrative to Accompany Application of Town of Montville Water Pollution Control Authority to Town of Montville Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission for Licenses to Conduct Regulated Activities in Conjunction with Periodic Maintenance and Repair of Utility Mains Including Water and Sewer Mains, Dated February 10, 2016, Revised to March 17, 2016”. This is a conditional approval. Each and every condition is an integral part of the Commission decision. Should any of the conditions, on appeal from this decision, be found to be void or of no legal effect then this conditional approval is likewise void. Should any of the conditions not be implemented by the applicant or his successors within the specified permit time period, then this conditional approval is void. Condition(s) of approval are: 1. Authorizations granted pursuant to the General Permit issued by the Town of Montville Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) to Montville Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) to conduct Maintenance and Repairs shall not grant authority to the Town of Montville WPCA to engage in Capital Improvements, as hereinafter defined, it being the intent of this General Permit that the Town of Montville Water Pollution Control Authority shall be required to apply to the Montville IWWC for an individual permit with respect to the future conduct of any Capital Improvements to the Montville municipal utility systems within the geographical limits of the Town of Montville. (Standard Reason for Approval Apply) Standard Reasons for Approval: 1. The environmental impact of the proposed project does not have a significant effect on the inland wetland's and watercourse's capacity to support fish and wildlife, to prevent flooding, to supply and protect surface and groundwater, to control sediment, to facilitate \\planning\planningoffice$\CurrentProjects\IWC\2021\Archived\221 IWC 1 (83 Pink Row) General Maintenance & Emergency Repair (WPCA)\Staff\Staff Report 3-18-2021.docx drainage, to control pollution, to support recreational activities, and to promote public health and safety. 2. The Commission has determined that the relationship between the short-term uses of the environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity will have no impact on the surrounding wetland system. 3. The proposed activity will not have irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources. 4. The proposed project will not change the character and or add degree of injury to, or interference with, safety, health, or the reasonable use of property, including abutting or downstream property. 5. The proposed activity use is suitable to the area. 6. The applicant has taken all feasible measures to mitigate the impact of any aspect of the proposed regulated activity.