35_080E Burts Pit Rd- letterTransit -Mix Concrete
303 King St., Northampton
'413) 584-1054
Bill Willard, Incorporated
P.O. Box 60307, Florence, MA 01062-0307
Ph on e/ Fax: (413) 584-1802
Nlay '(0?
i
Northampton Conservation commission
210 Nfain St.
.Northampton. N4A ()1(-)6k'-)
Dear Commission Members;
Washed Sand & Gravel
1010 Ryan Rd.. Florence
(413) 584-1802
Per vour instructions in �� P�Fonts 9A - Enforcernent(A-der. Part C. I wish to request an extension of the date
for installation of a cane stnicture. Two wildlife experts have submitted opinions on our situation su&;esting that
we should attempt a differen�t method of leveling the pond (see enclosed pages), as our current method is
apparently unworkable. Thi� new method will require installation on property we do not own- We have not
cleaned the debris since the order was issued, and will leave it untouched as long as the water level does not
C7
substantially increase. until �he issue can be resolved. Thank- you.
Sincerely.
Bill Willard, Incorporated
Beth A. Willard
BAkVibw
Eric.
F-- - .
T
h' AY 6 2002
Integrated Wildlife Control
P.O. Box 60169
Florence, MA 01062-0169
Phone 413-586-0890 Fax 413-584-3898
April 28, 2002
Beth Willard
Bill Willard, Inc.
1010 Ryan Rd.
Florence, MA 01062
Dear Beth
Per your request, I have inspected the beaver dam and flow control pipe on your property. I
did so on April 15, 2002. I find the pond -leveling pipe to be very inadequate due to its length
and location in the dam. It is described as a "Clemson Pond Leveler" in the paper work you
received from the Northampton Conservation Commission. ( See Clemson Diagram enclosed )
Due to the restrictions placed on the installation of this device it will not rk. This devices is
little more then a standard culvert, with a small amount of protection to the opening. At best this
will keep materials from being pushed inside by the beaver, but will require a large investment of
time to keep free flowing What makes a pond -leveling device work, is the), need to be long and
placed in the deepest part of the pond. The pipe in question is not a Clemson Leveler.
_ I have asked another expert in pond -leveling devices to inspect you site
as well. Ruth
Callahan of the Beaver Solutions Company of Hadley and I inspected the site
on Friday April 26,
2002. I have enclosed her report with this letter.
My suggestion to resolve this situation is to install two (2) 12" cage an
I pipe pond -leveling
systems (see drawing enclosed) in the center part of the dam. (These devic
s have been
successful in resolving the beaver conflict on Ellington Road in Florence.)
would also suggest
the removal of the existing pipe and replace it with a pipe of the same size
ut without holes in it.
I would install a rectangle fence excluder in front if this so it could act as a
over flow device.
The fence would have to be 5' wide and 20' long to prevent the pipes dete
tion. This device will
only be used to help the pond return to its normal level after heavy rain or
n off quicker.
Without being able to do the work as described the only other option would
be the complete
removal of any and all beavers from the site on an annual bases. This optio
i would leave the
dam to deteriorate naturally due to lack of maintenance. This would also r
sult in the loss of the
wetland. Per your request my company will offer a maintenance contract and
will assume the
responsibility of keeping the devices open and free of debris. I will require
permission to access
the properties and devices as needed without notice.
Sincerely
Don LaFountain
Long Term Humane Solutions to Human Wildlife
APR-30-2002 08:53 FM CALLAHAN 413 587I9788 P_01
Beaver Solutions
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April: 29, 2002
0 Ml ein Streetnaervation Commission
Northampton, MA 010f90
Dear Commission Members,
i have been srked by Don LaFounbun of lnlcgrnW W kWO Control to comment about the location of a
9 �h the beam dam near the Willard property in the Florence section of
ampb�n. I vied the with Mr. L.aFot, ain eady last week,
l am the owner -operator of Beaver Solutions and have been woridng full-time ping landowners
resolve beaver oorftm since 1998. t have installed pipes at more than 160 81196 throughcwt New
England.
The plasoement of the cage which protects the Inlet of the pipe is very imporlant in order th guarantee
long-term success of the system The cape roads th be bcabed to a deep in the beaver pond
fly Of ll 30 feet upstream of the darn. The tit location is found by rived" ig to the pond and using a
pole or mike to find an area that is deep and tfaat, L=1ft cape in a deep tt t away from w dam
alimtnates the chance that the resident beavers wwith the pipe syste vi and minimizes the
buildup of sitt tk)n near ttre pipe's Inlet. Pipe cages located too cim to the darn run the risk of toeing
dammed around or sifted in as the dam ages and widens.
The mast i decision that can be made prior to the fon of a
Over ll 9�oang system Is the
theight of the pond. A sa ry level needs to be deter min This
WM
mhate properly damage and sa�sty the needs of atxttters whlie mat ' ' as much of the
pond's valuable �m as possible. Today's pond leveling systems can readily adjusted after
ftlailaation to ensure this predefermined goal is maintained.
furlt��, �ftY to mview this safe. Please do not heslt8te to coo
sinosrely,
pe& cmz-
Ruth CaU han
me it ! can be of any
Table 1. List of materials for the Clemson Beaver Pond Leveler.
Quantity Item
1..................................10' section, 10" diameter PVC pipe (Schedule 40)
1.................................. PVC cap for 10" diameter PVC pipe (Schedule 40)
1..................................10" x 8" PVC pipe reducer coupling (Schedule 40)
4.................................. 86" sections, 3/4" diameter plastic roll pipe (water pipe), 160
4..................................3/4" metal couplings for roll pipe
16..................................1 /4" x 2" galvanized eyebolts
16..................................1/4" galvanized nuts
16..................................1/4" galvanized washers
16..................................16" sections, 8 gauge galvanized wire (medium hardness)
2..................................96" sections, 2" x 4" 1/2 gauge galvanized welded wire
2 lbs.................................. Crab trap clamps (fasteners)
The above materials are required to assemble the intake device. The carrying pipe (flow
8-inch diameter PVC, Schedule 40 with coupling sleeves and elbows appropriate to the
Elbow and stand pipe are optional.
Needed only to manage water level if
maintaining pond is an objective.
Beaver
dam
T - joint tilted with a drain plug
�. may replace elbow.
Fig. 7. Clemson beaver pond leveler.
state to state. Some types of traps and
trapping methods, although effective
and legal in some states, may be
prohibited by law in other states.
Individual state regulations must be
reviewed annually before beginning a
trapping program
In some states where beavers have
become serious economic pests, special
regulations and exemptions have been
passed to allow for increased control
efforts. For example, some states allow
trapping and snaring of beavers and
other control measures throughout the
B-6
8" diameter 40 PVC pipe
year. Others, however, prohibit trap-
ping except during established fur
trapping seasons. Some states allow
exemptions for removal of beavers
only on lands owned or controlled by
persons who are suffering losses. In
some states a special permit is
required from the state fish and wild-
life agency.
Of the variety of traps commonly
allowed for use in beaver control, the
Conibeat® type, No. 330, is one of the
most effective (Fig. 8). Not all trappers
will agree that this type of trap is the
grade
may consist of 20 to 40 feet of
d configuration.
1" re -bar
6' long
Intake \
device \}
I
Pond side
most of ctive; however, it is the type
most commonly used by professional
trappers and others who are prind-
pally trapping beavers. This trap kills
beavers almost instantly. When prop-
erly set, the trap also prevents any
escape toy a beaver, regardless of its
size. Designed primarily for water use,
it is equally effective in deep and shal-
low water. Only one trap per site is
generall y necessary, thus reducing the
need for extra traps. The trap exerts
tremen ous pressure and impact
when tr pped. Appropriate care must
be exercised when setting and placing
Tutegrated Beaver Damage Control
,RE MESH CULVERT PROTECT,—.
Length
Active site 14' long. Inactive site T long.
Direction of flow
Specifications
Protector is made with 6" x 6" galvanized 9 Gauge woven wire wire
Wire mesh is held together with galvanized hog rings.
There is an end cap made of the same material and attached with the
The protector is held in place with heavy fence or sign posts. These
ground and the protector is held to them with galvanized 9 gauge wi.
For an active site a 14' Protector is recommended.
For a non -active site a 7' Protector is recommended.
Maintenance
Maintenance of the protector is cleaning floating debris away twice a,
spring & once in the fall. If heavy rain run-off occurs the protector caa
to allow floating debris to pass through. When the water level goes do
can be replaced.
INTEGRATED WILDLIFE CONTROL
P.O. Box 60169
Florence, MA 01062-0169
Phone (413) 586-0890
Fax (413) 584-3898
Width
Should be min.
1' larger then
culvert
1
ne method.
driven into the
ear. Once in the
be easily removed
wn the protector
For beaver dam flow control devices to work, they must be designed s
that beaver cannot
detect the flow of water into the pipe. The cage leveler works by surrounding
the inflow area of
the pipe with a large cage. This prevents the beavers from getting close enough
to the intake to
detect the water movement. As a result, the beavers do not attempt to clog
the pipe.
The Cage Leveler is a long-lasting, cost-effective system which will protect
property while
leaving resident beavers in place, as well as preserving valuable wetlands.
It is designed to prevent
detection by the beavers and to keep the normal water levels below the top
of the dam. Beavers
will raise their dams only when the water level rises above the dam. When
the water level is below
the top of the dam, beavers will not attempt to raise the height of the d
but will maintain it.
Rain will then be held back by the dam and slowly released. Some normal
fluctuation of the water
level during wet and dry spells should be expected, but the pond level will
be controlled.
The peak of the flexible pipe in the dam determines the pond level ( see
diagram). Water will
flow through the pipe until the pond level drops below the peak of the pit
This design not only
permits control or the water level, but it also allows for the entire pipe to
hidden ( under water,
and in the dam), preserving the aesthetic beauty of the wetland.
Diagram -The Cage Leveler
Note:
Old Water Level Peak ofpipe at back of dam
Comer eBlocks A , A
�, tJ
Beaver Dam
In Take I The cage is made of
6" x 6" mesh fencing
• The property owner needs to obtain permits from the state Division o�Fisheries & Wildlife or
Dept. of Natural Resources, and the local Conservation Commission.
• The dam is breached a small amount each day for several days to gently lower the water to the
desired level. This minimizes the risk of downstream flooding and allows for quicker
installation. Breach early in the day as the nocturnal beavers sleep for the longest drainage
time.
• The number of systems needed is determined by the stream flow. Usually 1 or 2 are
sufficient. These devices can function for many years with minimal malntenance.
• The pond level can be raised or lowered by adjusting the peak of the pipe. Sticks are used to
hide the down stream end of the pipe.
Integrated Wildlife Control
Don LaFountain
P.O. Bog 60169
Florence, MA. 01062-0169
Phone (413) 586-0890 Fax (413) 584-3898
E.31OG/-200:' 1=: 07 BILL WILLARD I IC PAGE k71
Bill Willard, Incorporated
P_O_Box 60307 Florence, MA 01062-030,
PhonelFax: (413) 584-1802
TO: Carolyn Minch Date:
eompeny-- Northampton Pfenning✓eonserv. conrrrt_
Fax: s8� -/-a 6 y
FROM: Beth W. RE: E
Total Pages; 5
Per om- conversation yesterday, following "am 4 pictures s1lowing that th
pipe was reinstalled. Because of the expcnse of filing a new ,notification
and the problems with the adjonting property owner-, our company del',
different pond leveler as discussed at die C'onscrvation Commission mee
gettuig the information back to you srxrner - My ,,other has been hospir
series of medical emergencies and I've taker, time off to be involved wid
In briefly going curer my ,totes yesterday, I think restoring the cage and u
cleaning it we,ti all the Conservation Commission required. If I atn rust:
me know as soon as posst`ble� Thank you.
� C
Dam Pipe
cage surrounding the
the coA of the project,
:d not to puisttc a
ng. I apologize for not
lizcd for 2 weeks with a
care for both my parents.
mg greater cacti in
can, would you please let
98/06/2002 1-':07 4135841802 BILL WILLARD INC PAGE 022
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