HomeMy WebLinkAbout25 IWC 13 Staff Report 1 7-17-2025H:\IWC\Applications\2025\25IWC13 - 1039 Route 163 (Timber Harvest)\Staff\25 IWC 13 Staff Report 1 7-17-2025.docx
STAFF REPORT
APPLICATION# 25 IWC 13
REGULAR MEETING – THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025
Prepared by Stacy Radford, Zoning & Wetlands Officer
Applicant: Chris Casadei
Property Owner: Madison Holdmeyer
Address: 1039 Route 163 (Parcel ID: 046-016-000), Oakdale, CT
Date Submitted: June 16, 2025
Date Received by IWC: July 17, 2025 (Decision Required Date – September 20, 2025)
Applicant Request: As of Right Determination for Timber Harvest
Activity Description:
Wetland located on the property 3.43 Acres, per Applicant Watercourse/Waterbody Disturbance Area 24 LF, per Applicant
Upland Review Disturbance Area 0 SF, per Applicant
STAFF COMMENTS:
• This Application is for an As of Right Determination for a Timber Harvest in accordance
with Montville Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations Section 4.1.a and C.G.S.
Section 22a-40.
• Under the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act C.G.S. Section 22a-40 and Montville
Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations (“Regulations”) Section 4.1.a, farming is
a “Permitted operation and use”. Forestry is defined as farming or agriculture under C.G.S.
1-1q.
• This property is located in the WRP-160 zone on about 43.87 acres, contains regulated
wetlands & watercourses and is developed with an existing single-family residence and
barns.
• The Applicant states the proposed operation is to “remove undesirable growing stock from
the stand where feasible and establish conditions favorable to natural regeneration”. The
Applicant further states that the treatment will be an “irregular Shelterwood harvest” and
“there will be no trees harvested from within the wetland areas”.
• Additionally, the Applicant states that “there are two intermittent drainage crossings
associated with this operation along the existing main skid trail. The crossings will be
stabilized with portable timber mats and/or corduroy during the operation and removed
upon completion. All Best Management Practices regarding Timber Harvesting as adopted
by the CTDEEP shall be strictly adhered to.”
• The amount of forest products to be harvested is 24 acres, 94,000 board feet, 120 cords and
trees to be harvested have been marked with blue paint.
• An estimated start date of the timber harvesting operation is September 1, 2025 and
duration should be approximately one month of good working weather.
H:\IWC\Applications\2025\25IWC13 - 1039 Route 163 (Timber Harvest)\Staff\25 IWC 13 Staff Report 1 7-17-2025.docx
• The site will be accessed from the existing driveway off of Route 163, as marked on the
attached map entitled, “Timber Harvest Map Property of M. Holdmeyer, prepared by Chris
Casadei and dated June 2025.” The main skid trail is an existing woods road created from
Forestry and Agriculture practices of years past.
• There is no proposed relocation of watercourses with continual flow or filling or
reclamation of wetlands or watercourses with continual flow associated with the proposed
timber harvest and, therefore, staff recommends approval of this proposed Application as
an “As of Right” activity.
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 # 1 (A Motion to Approve)
After giving due consideration to all relevant factors, including those in Section 4 of the
Montville Inland Wetland Regulations and Section 22a-40 of the Connecticut General Statutes, I
move that Application# 23 IWC 13, submitted by Chris Casadei behalf of property owner,
Madison Holdmeyer for a Timber Harvest and more fully described in the Application, dated
June 16, 2025 and Notification of Timber Harvest dated June 16, 2025 with associated Timber
Harvest Map is a Permitted Use As of Right and, therefore, no permit is required.