2021.05.27 Staff Report.pdf
Conservation Commission Staff Report 1 May 27, 2021
To: Conservation Commission From: Sarah LaValley RE: Staff Report, May 27, 2021 Commission Meeting
5:30 PM Request for Determination of Applicability to determine if water chestnut
removal is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act or Northampton Wetlands
Ordinance. Office of Planning & Sustainability. Land Under Water at: Oxbow Area,
Hurlberts Pond, Fitzgerald Lake, and Magnolia and Triangle Ponds
Application Overview:
The application proposes removal of invasive water chestnut from waterbodies where it is present in
Northampton. This had previously been an application filed by US Fish and Wildlife, but
Conservation Commission staff agreed to continue filing the requests following a retirement at that
agency to allow volunteers to continue removal of the plant. Broad Brook Coalition has an upcoming
work day at Fitzgerald Lake, and other groups work on other water bodies. Water chestnut will be
hand-pulled from boats, and disposed of inland where they will not be able to reinfest.
Consistency with the WPA and Northampton Wetlands Ordinance; Staff
Recommendations:
Staff prepared application, no specific recommendation. If the Commission agrees that the work
should improve the natural capacity of the resource areas, and since it is being conducted by boat,
will have little to no disturbance to land under water, which is the only resource area involved, a
negative determination can be issued by checking box 2 to indicate that the work is within an area
subject to protection, but will not create an alteration.
The Commission had not required an application for this work prior to 2016, but DEP had requested
permits from each community where pulling is proposed.
5:40 PM Request for Determination of Applicability to determine if walking path
boardwalk installation is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act or Northampton
Wetlands Ordinance. Office of Planning & Sustainability, Broad Brook
Greenway/Fitzgerald Lake, Cooke Ave, Map ID 07-35
Application Overview: The Broad Brook Coalition proposes to install pedestrian boardwalks in wet trail areas within the newest
portion of the Broad Brook Greenway Wilbur parcel trail network, to prevent the creation of side trails
and increase accessibility. Staff Recommendations:
Staff-assisted application, no specific recommendations. If the Commission c0ncludes that the work will not alter a resource area, a negative determination should
be issued by checking box 2 to indicate that the work is within an area subject to protection, but will not remove dredge, fill or alter that area. Any conditions necessary to ensure an alteration will not take place
can be added. If the Commission decides that any of the activities proposed will alter a wetlands resource
area, a positive determination should be issued by checking box 3, that the work proposed is an alteration, and a Notice of Intent is required.