19-010 Elwell campsite RDA and Supporting Materials
wpaform1.doc Page 1 of 4
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 1- Request for Determination of Applicability
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40
Northampton
City/Town
A. General Information
Important: When filling out forms on the computer, use only the tab key
to move your cursor - do not use the return
key.
1. Applicant:
Appalachian Mountain Club
Name
ksykes@outdoors.org
E-Mail Address
5 Joy Street
Mailing Address
Boston
City/Town
MA
State
02108
Zip Code
617-523-0722
Phone Number
Fax Number (if applicable)
2. Representative (if any):
in cooperation with Northampton Conservation Commission
Firm
Contact Name
E-Mail Address
Mailing Address
City/Town
State
Zip Code
Phone Number
Fax Number (if applicable)
B. Determinations
1. I request the Northampton
Conservation Commission
make the following determination(s). Check any that apply:
a. whether the area depicted on plan(s) and/or map(s) referenced below is an area subject to
jurisdiction of the Wetlands Protection Act.
b. whether the boundaries of resource area(s) depicted on plan(s) and/or map(s) referenced
below are accurately delineated. c. whether the work depicted on plan(s) referenced below is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act.
d. whether the area and/or work depicted on plan(s) referenced below is subject to the jurisdiction of any municipal wetlands ordinance or bylaw of:
Northampton
Name of Municipality
e. whether the following scope of alternatives is adequate for work in the Riverfront Area as depicted on referenced plan(s).
wpaform1.doc Page 2 of 4
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 1- Request for Determination of Applicability
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40
Northampton
City/Town
C. Project Description
1. a. Project Location (use maps and plans to identify the location of the area subject to this request):
Elwell Island
Street Address
Northampton
City/Town
19
Assessors Map/Plat Number
010
Parcel/Lot Number
b. Area Description (use additional paper, if necessary):
Elwell Island Conservation Area, southwestern shore
c. Plan and/or Map Reference(s):
'Elwell Island Proposed Campsite' presentation
Title
July 2017
Date
Title
Date
Title
Date
2. a. Work Description (use additional paper and/or provide plan(s) of work, if necessary):
Development of a campsite and related improvements at Elwell Island as part of the Connecticut River Paddlers Trail to allow non-matorized paddlers to visit and camp on the island, as part of a single
day trip or longer journey. Work includes creation of a campsite made of two 10'x10' pads defined by downed logs collected from the island, and installation of a composting privy. The privy requires no
permits from the board of health, and will be emptied each fall by scattering the Work will take place within riverfront area to the CT River, but should not create any new alterations. No
vegetation removal is required. The work may result in improvements by directing overnight visitors to the defined campsites, and reducing human waste. The Commission previously supported the work in
concept.
wpaform1.doc Page 3 of 4
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 1- Request for Determination of Applicability
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40
Northampton
City/Town
C. Project Description (cont.)
b. Identify provisions of the Wetlands Protection Act or regulations which may exempt the applicant
from having to file a Notice of Intent for all or part of the described work (use additional paper, if necessary).
3. a. If this application is a Request for Determination of Scope of Alternatives for work in the Riverfront Area, indicate the one classification below that best describes the project.
Single family house on a lot recorded on or before 8/1/96
Single family house on a lot recorded after 8/1/96
Expansion of an existing structure on a lot recorded after 8/1/96
Project, other than a single family house or public project, where the applicant owned the lot
before 8/7/96
New agriculture or aquaculture project
Public project where funds were appropriated prior to 8/7/96
Project on a lot shown on an approved, definitive subdivision plan where there is a recorded deed restriction limiting total alteration of the Riverfront Area for the entire subdivision
Residential subdivision; institutional, industrial, or commercial project
Municipal project
District, county, state, or federal government project
Project required to evaluate off-site alternatives in more than one municipality in an
Environmental Impact Report under MEPA or in an alternatives analysis pursuant to an application for a 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or 401 Water Quality
Certification from the Department of Environmental Protection.
b. Provide evidence (e.g., record of date subdivision lot was recorded) supporting the classification above (use additional paper and/or attach appropriate documents, if necessary.)
wpaform1.doc Page 4 of 4
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 1- Request for Determination of Applicability
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40
Northampton
City/Town
D. Signatures and Submittal Requirements
I hereby certify under the penalties of perjury that the foregoing Request for Determination of Applicability and accompanying plans, documents, and supporting data are true and complete to the best of my
knowledge.
I further certify that the property owner, if different from the applicant, and the appropriate DEP Regional Office were sent a complete copy of this Request (including all appropriate documentation)
simultaneously with the submittal of this Request to the Conservation Commission.
Failure by the applicant to send copies in a timely manner may result in dismissal of the Request for Determination of Applicability.
Name and address of the property owner:
Northampton Conservation Commission
Name
210 Main Street, City Hall
Mailing Address
Northampton
City/Town
MA
State
01060
Zip Code
Signatures:
I also understand that notification of this Request will be placed in a local newspaper at my expense
in accordance with Section 10.05(3)(b)(1) of the Wetlands Protection Act regulations.
Signature of Applicant
Date
Signature of Representative (if any)
Date
ELWELL ISLAND
PROPOSED CAMPSITE
JULY 2017
LANDING AREA
LOOKING TOWARD WEST SHORE
BROKEN TREE LYING INTO LANDING AREA
SHOULD BE THE ONLY TREE WHICH NEEDS
TO BE CUT OUT
CAMPSITE
SQUARE SHOWS LOCATION OF
TENT PAD. PADS WILL BE 10’ X 10’
AND OUTLINED WITH LOGS
HARVESTED ON THE ISLAND FROM
DOWNED TREES. OUTLINE WILL BE
FILLED WITH RIVER SILT.
CAMPSITE
SECOND PAD APPROXIMATELY 20’
FROM FIRST PAD.
PRIVY AREA
SEE “WET WILLY” DESIGN FOR
PRIVY. PRIVACY WILL BE PROVIDED
BY EXISTING COVER AND PLASTIC
TARP. APPROXIMATELY 40’ EAST OF
TENT PADS.
ISLAND HIGHPOINTS
RECTANGLE SHOWS APPROXIMATE
CAMPSITE LOCATION, EAST OF
GROUP OF HOUSES ON DAMON
ROAD.
22
Appendix I: Instructions To Build A “Wet Willy”
Tools needed
Cordless screw-gun
Hammer
Paint brush
Tin snips and gloves
Materials
1 2x4x8, or 1 2x4x10 (less waste)
3 1x6x8
Splashguard: 24" x 17" aluminum flashing or
roofing paper
1 Plastic toilet seat (wood seats will warp over time in the outdoor conditions)
Hardware cloth (1/4 mesh") 70"*12"
2" Screws (~1/3 lb)
Poultry staples (a couple dozen)
Solid color stain
If located in a floodplain: Nylon rope or wire rope to secure privy from flooding. If no trees are nearby, a
“helical anchor” or wooden piling (~3ft length of 2*4 or 4*4).
Cut Materials Into the Following:
Legs: 4 18" 2*4 (Pressure Treated)
Seat supports (joists): 2 21” 2*4
Top: 4 30" 1*6
Front: 3 30" 1*6
Back: 1 30” 1*6
Sides: 21" 1*6
To build:
Screw side boards to legs. Connect two legs by attached front and back boards
Install seat supports between front and back boards, positioned to support weight of seat.
Using tin snips (and wearing gloves), cut hardware cloth so it wraps around the sides and back. Attach
with poultry staples
Lay all top boards. Trace hole for toilet. Toilet should come to front of the wet willy.
Screw in top boards. Attached splash guard with poultry staples. Drill two holes for seat and install.
Install (see below) and apply stain.
Installation
Find a site atleast 100 feet away from the water and, if possible, out of the floodplain.
Dig a wide shallow hole, 6-8 inches deep (This is the best depth for decomposition)
Position privy over hole. Ensure that the wire mesh contacts the ground on all three sides
Secure privy by attaching, with rope or wire, to a nearby tree or set anchor
Maintenance
If hole fills up or if the privy is in the floodplain, bury waste at the end of each season. Alternatively, one
can allow a larger pile to form, before relocating wet willy and covered the existing pile with a similarly
sized wire mesh box.