HomeMy WebLinkAbout25 IWC 21 Staff Report 1 9-18-2025H:\IWC\Applications\2025\25IWC21 - Silver Falls Road (Timber Harvest; regulated activities)\Staff\25 IWC 21 Staff Report 1 9-18-2025.docx
STAFF REPORT
APPLICATION# 25 IWC 21
REGULAR MEETING – THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
Prepared by Stacy Radford, Zoning & Wetlands Officer
Applicant: Hull Forest Products, Inc.
Property Owner: Daniela Gjergjaj
Address: Silver Falls Road (Parcel ID: 001-007-00A), Oakdale, CT
Date Submitted: September 5, 2025
Date Received by IWC: September 18, 2025 (DRD – November 22, 2025)
Applicant Request: As of Right Determination for Timber Harvest
Activity Description:
Wetland located on the property 2.00 Acres +/-, per Applicant Watercourse/Waterbody Disturbance Area 0 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 R-80 zone on about 19.51 acres, contains regulated wetlands
& watercourses and is currently undeveloped. Earlier this year, an Application for
regulated activity for a 4-lot subdivision was presented to this Commission and on June 12,
2025 an Inland Wetlands Permit was issued for said Application.
• The Applicant states the proposed objective is to perform a “selective harvest where the
unhealthy, diseased, declining, and poorly formed individuals will be removed.” The
Applicant further states this will “Release sunlight to better formed individuals and
advanced regeneration.” And will “Promote new regeneration in lacking areas.”
• Additionally, the Applicant states that there will be a watercourse and wetland crossing
involved with this harvest. “Timber bridge mats and/or corduroy will be used for the
crossings. There will be trees removed in the upland review area and the wetlands. Old
skid trails will be used alongside new skid trails where necessary. Water bars, seed, and/or
hay will be used post-harvest in areas prone to erosion and soil disturbance. All Best
Management Practices regarding timber harvesting as adopted by the CT DEEP will be
strictly adhered to.”
• The amount of forest products to be harvested is 5 acres +/-, 1,000 board feet +/-, 5 cords
+/- and trees to be harvested have been marked with blue paint.
H:\IWC\Applications\2025\25IWC21 - Silver Falls Road (Timber Harvest; regulated activities)\Staff\25 IWC 21 Staff Report 1 9-18-2025.docx
• An estimated start date of the timber harvesting operation is September 15, 2025.
• 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# 25 IWC 21, submitted by Hull Forest Products, Inc., on behalf of
property owner, Daniela Djergjaj for a Timber Harvest and more fully described in the
Application, dated September 3, 2025 and Notification of Timber Harvest dated September 3,
2025 with associated Timber Harvest Map is a Permitted Use As of Right and, therefore, no
permit is required.