Conservation Commission Regular Meeting Materials (linked)

WATERFORD APARTMENT COMMUNITY 
969 HARTFORD TURNPIKE 
Wetland Delineation Report 
 
Prepared for: 
Hendels, Inc. 
Client Ref: 15901.00004 
 
June 2021 
 

 
 
Hendels, Inc. 
 
June 2021 
Wetland Report 
Wetland Delineation Report 
 
Prepared for: 
Mr. Jon Hendel 
Hendels, Inc. 
35 Great Neck Road 
Waterford, Connecticut 
06385 
 
This document has been prepared by SLR International Corporation (SLR). The material and data in this 
report were prepared under the supervision and direction of the undersigned. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Megan B. Raymond, MS, PWS, CFM 
 
Principal Scientist, Wetlands & Waterways Lead  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Hendels, Inc. 
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June 2021 
Wetland Delineation Report 
Contents 
1. 
Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 3 
2. 
General Site Description ............................................................................................................ 4 
3. 
Wetland Delineation ................................................................................................................. 5 
3.1 
Regulatory Definitions ............................................................................................................ 5 
3.2 
Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 5 
3.3 
Soil Mapping ........................................................................................................................... 6 
3.4    
Wetland Functional Assessment ............................................................................................ 7 
4. 
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 9 
FIGURES 
Figure 1 
Site Location 
Figure 2 
   Wetland Resource Map 
Figure 3 
   Soils Map 
 
TABLES 
Table 3-1              Soil Unit Properties 
Table 3-2              Wetland Functions and Values Assessment 
 

 
 
Hendels, Inc. 
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June 2021 
Wetland Delineation Report 
1. 
INTRODUCTION 
On behalf of the applicant, Hendels, Inc., SLR International Corporation (SLR) investigated a 35.6-acre site 
to locate and delineate wetlands and watercourses on the site, and to assess existing wetland functions 
and values.  Wetland resources areas were delineated by SLR soil scientists on March 22, 2017.  
 
The project site is an undeveloped piece of land with frontage on Hartford Turnpike across from Cross 
Road. The site is forested with areas of steep slopes and rocky outcrops. There is a perennial watercourse 
north of the site and a cleared right-of-way to the east. A gas station and convenience store abut the 
property on the northwest side. There is another commercial development to the south. One palustrine, 
forested slope wetland exists in the southern portion of the subject parcel. No watercourses were 
observed on site.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Hendels, Inc. 
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June 2021 
Wetland Delineation Report 
2. 
GENERAL SITE DESCRIPTION 
The subject parcel comprises 35.6 acres located in a moderately settled commercial and residential area 
of north-central Waterford (Figure 1). The property is undeveloped and forested and contains 1,850 linear 
feet of frontage on Hartford Turnpike (Route 85).  Utility corridors exist to the east, south, and north of 
the site. A gas station and convenience store abut the site to the northwest.  Hartford Commons exists 
south of the site past the utility corridor. 
 
The property occupies the top and southern flank of two drumloidal features.  Elevations range from 150 
feet in the northern and eastern portions of the site to 100 feet in the southwestern section.  Soils of the 
site are derived from glacial till.  The majority of the site is composed of upland deciduous forest, with 
one forested wetland area in the southern portion of the site.   
A review of historical topographic maps reveals the site has remained relatively undeveloped for the last 
century, though grading for and maintenance of the bordering utility right-of-way have likely introduced 
some disturbance along the parcel boundaries. Current CT-DEEP Natural Diversity Database (NDDB) 
mapping from December 2020 shows a small area in the western portion of the parcel is within a mapped 
habitat area for state-listed threatened, endangered, or special concern species associated with Jordan 
Brook.   
The site is located within a 4.7 square mile local watershed associated with Jordan Brook, which flows 
north to south approximately 250 feet west of the parcel boundary. Jordan Brook is a first-order, perennial 
stream with its headwaters in northern Waterford east of Lake Konomoc, approximately 1.75 miles north 
of the subject property. The watercourse has been rated by CT DEEP as Class A and has a Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulated 100-year floodplain and floodway that are outside of 
the subject parcel. From the general area of the project site, Jordan Brook flows south approximately 5.25 
miles to discharge to Long Island Sound via Jordan Cove in southern Waterford.  

 
 
Hendels, Inc. 
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June 2021 
Wetland Delineation Report 
3. 
WETLAND DELINEATION 
Wetland boundaries on site were delineated by William Root, registered soil scientist, and Kelly Kerrigan, 
soil scientist in training, both with Milone & MacBroom, Inc. (now SLR) on March 22, 2017.  
 
On the day of the investigation, weather conditions were clear and sunny and soils were frost free.  
 
Wetlands on site consist of approximately 5.5 acres of palustrine forested slope wetland, comprising 15% 
of the total site area (Figure 2). The wetland area is diffuse, occupying depressional areas within the 
southern portion of the site, and is bound to the west by Route 85 and to the east by a maintained 
transmission corridor. Vegetation in the wetland consists of a red maple (Acer rubrum) and black birch 
(Betula lenta) canopy, with saplings of American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and an understory comprised 
of Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), and tussock sedge 
(Carex stricta). The wetland surface is strewn with medium to large mossy boulders, and on the day of the 
site survey a high water table was present with several inches of standing water filling open depressions 
and the spaces between boulders. The wetland is primarily supported by this seasonal high water table 
and groundwater discharge, though surface runoff features and rills were also observed connecting 
segments of the wetland. No vernal pools or other special wetland types were located on site during the 
investigation.  
 
No perennial or intermittent watercourses were delineated on site.  Jordan Brook flows approximately 
250 feet west of the site boundary.  
3.1 
REGULATORY DEFINITIONS 
 
The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act (Connecticut General Statutes §22a-38) defines inland 
wetlands as "land, including submerged land...which consists of any soil types designated as poorly 
drained, very poorly drained, alluvial, and floodplain."  Watercourses are defined in the act as "rivers, 
streams, brooks, waterways, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, bogs and all other bodies of water, natural 
or artificial, vernal or intermittent, public or private, which are contained within, flow through or border 
upon the state or any portion thereof."   
 
Upland Review Area, per the Town of Waterford Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations, includes 
any area within 100 feet of the boundary of wetlands and/or watercourses. 
 
3.2 
METHODOLOGY 
 
In accordance with the principles and practices noted in the United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) publication Soil Survey Manual (1993), a second-order soil survey was completed at the subject 
site in June 2018.  The classification system of the National Cooperative Soil Survey was used in this 
investigation.  Soil map units identified at the project site generally correspond to those included in the 
Soil Survey of the State of Connecticut (USDA, 2005). 
 

 
 
Hendels, Inc. 
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June 2021 
Wetland Delineation Report 
Wetland determinations were completed based on the presence of poorly drained, very poorly drained, 
alluvial, or floodplain soils and submerged land (e.g., a pond).  Soil types were identified by observation 
of soil morphology (soil texture, color, structure, etc.).  To observe the morphology of the property's soils, 
test pits and/or borings (maximum depth of 2 feet) were completed at the site.  
 
Intermittent watercourse determinations were made based on the presence of a defined permanent 
channel and bank and the occurrence of two or more of the following characteristics: A) evidence of scour 
or deposits of recent alluvium or detritus, B) the presence of standing or flowing water for a duration 
longer than a particular storm incident, and C) the presence of hydrophytic vegetation.  
 
Wetland boundaries were demarcated (flagged) with pink surveyor's tape (hung from vegetation) or small 
flags (on wire stakes) that are generally spaced a maximum of every 50 feet.  Complete boundaries are 
located along the lines that connect these sequentially numbered flags.  The wetland boundaries are 
subject to change until adopted by local, state, or federal regulatory agencies.  Wetland areas are depicted 
on Figure 2 and shown as wetland flags wr-1 through wr-54, and wx-1 through wx-24, wx-50 through wx-
59, wx-80 through wx-86, and wx-100 through wx-117.  
3.3 
SOIL MAPPING 
 
Five soil map units were identified on the property according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service 
(NRCS) Web Soil Survey (one wetland and four upland; Figure 3).  Each map unit represents a specific area 
on the landscape and consists of one or more soils for which the unit is named.  Other soils (inclusions that 
are generally too small to be delineated separately) may account for 10 to 15 percent of each map unit.  The 
mapped units are by name, symbol, and typical characteristics (parent material, drainage class, high water 
table, depth to bedrock, and slope) (Table 3-1).  These characteristics are generally the primary 
characteristics to be considered in land use planning and management.  A complete description of each soil 
map unit can be found in the Soil Survey of the State of Connecticut (USDA, 2005).   
 
 
 

 
 
Hendels, Inc. 
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June 2021 
Wetland Delineation Report 
TABLE 3-1 
Soil Unit Properties 
 
3.4    
WETLAND FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT 
A functional evaluation of onsite wetlands based on SLR field observations is summarized (Table 3-2).  The 
first column lists the functions and values generally ascribed to wetlands while the second column 
summarizes the rationale used to determine whether these functions and values are being performed 
within the subject wetland and/or watercourse.  The identified wetlands contribute to the majority of 
recognized wetland functions. 
Map Unit 
Parent 
Material 
Slope 
(%) 
 
Drainage 
Class 
 
High Water Table 
Depth To 
Bedrock 
(in) 
Sym 
Name 
Depth 
(ft) 
Kind 
Mos. 
Upland Soil 
52 
Sutton fine 
sandy loam 
Coarse-loamy 
melt-out till 
2-15 
Moderately well 
drained 
1-2.25 
- 
- 
>80 
62 
Canton and 
Charlton fine 
sandy loam 
Sandy melt-out 
till 
3-15 
Well drained 
6 
- 
- 
>80 
73 
Charlton-
Chatfield 
complex 
Coarse-loamy 
melt-out till 
0-45 
Well drained 
6 
- 
- 
>80 
75 
Hollis-
Chatfield-
Rock outcrop 
complex 
Coarse-loamy 
melt-out till 
15-45 
Somewhat 
excessively 
drained 
1.5-2.5 
 
 
>80 
Wetland Soil 
3 
Ridgebury, 
Leicester & 
Whitman 
soils 
Coarse-loamy 
lodgment till 
0-8 
Poorly drained 
0-0.5 
Perched 
- 
15-35 

 
 
Hendels, Inc. 
8 
June 2021 
Wetland Delineation Report 
TABLE 3-2 
Wetland Functions and Values Assessment – Palustrine Forested Slope Wetland 
 
The principal functions of the wetlands include the following: 
 
• 
Groundwater discharge 
• 
Nutrient removal/retention 
• 
Wildlife habitat 
 
 
Functions and Values 
Comments 
Groundwater Recharge/Discharge 
Yes – Groundwater discharge supports the hydrology 
of this wetland. 
Flood Flow Alteration (Storage & 
Desynchronization) 
No – The wetland is not located within a mapped 
FEMA 100-year floodplain. 
Fish & Shellfish Habitat 
No – No watercourse is associated with this wetland 
area supporting fish or shellfish. 
Sediment/Toxicant Retention 
Somewhat – The wetland provides some 
sediment/toxicant retention due to geomorphology.   
 
Nutrient Removal/Retention/ 
Transformation 
Yes – The wetland provides nutrient 
removal/retention due to structural complexity and 
dense vegetation. 
 
Production Export (Nutrient) 
Yes– Structural diversity of wetland vegetation 
contributes to this function. 
 
Sediment/Shoreline/Watercourse 
Bank Stabilization 
No – There is no shoreline or bank to stabilize. 
 
Wildlife Habitat 
Yes – Structural complexity and vegetative diversity 
provides opportunities for wildlife habitat utilization, 
and evidence of wildlife habitat was observed.   
 
Recreation (Consumptive & Non-
Consumptive) 
No – Presently, a lack of access minimizes 
contribution to this value. 
 
Educational Scientific Value 
No – These wetlands do not presently provide 
educational opportunities. 
Uniqueness/Heritage 
No – There are no unique features. 
 
Visual Quality/Aesthetics 
No – This area does not contain particularly high 
value aesthetics. 
ES 
Endangered Species 
No – This area is not mapped within a NDDB area as 
outlined by CT DEEP (CT DEEP, December 2020). 

 
 
Hendels, Inc. 
9 
June 2021 
Wetland Delineation Report 
4. 
CONCLUSION 
SLR wetland scientists visited the site at 969 Hartford Turnpike in Waterford to delineate boundaries and 
assess functions and values of onsite wetlands across the 35.6-acre forested site. The site is relatively 
undisturbed, surrounded largely by upland deciduous forest. One palustrine forested wetland system, 
occupying approximately 5.5 acres in the southern portion of the site, was identified and delineated.  No 
watercourses were delineated on the site.  
 
If there are any questions regarding this report or the wetlands on this site, I may be reached at (203) 344-
7889 or mraymond@slrconsulting.com. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
SLR International Corporation 
 
 
 
Megan B. Raymond, MS, PWS, CFM 
Principal Scientist, Wetlands & Waterways Lead 

SCALE
PROJ. NO.
DATE
Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed
SITE LOCATION
WATERFORD APARTMENT COMMUNITY
HENDELS, INC.
969 HARTFORD TURNPIKE
WATERFORD, CONNECTICUT
±
0
500
1,000
Feet
Document Path: Y:\5901-04\Maps\Figure 1 - USGS.mxd
Date Saved: 5/26/2021 
Copyright SLR Consulting - 2021
1 " = 1,000 '
FIG. 1
15901.00004
5/26/2021
195 CHURCH STREET
7TH FLOOR
NEW HAVEN, CT 06511
203.344.7887
slrconsulting.com
SOURCE: 2016 AERIAL PHOTO, CTDEEP, 2016
LEGEND
Property Boundary

SCALE
PROJ. NO.
DATE
Hartford
Turnpi
ke
Cros
s Ro
ad
Jorda
n Br
o
o
k
¬«
85
wr9
wr8
wr7
wr6
wr5
wr4
wr3
wr3
wr2
wr1
wx86
wx85
wx84
wr54
wr53
wr52
wr51
wr27
wr26
wr25
wr24
wr23
wr22
wr21
wr20
wr19
wr18
wr17
wr16
wr15
wr14
wr13
wr12
wr11
wr10
wx117
wx116
wx115
wx114
wx113
wx112
wx111
wx110
wx109
wx108
wx107
wx105
wx104
wx103
wx102
wx101
wx-9
wx-8
wx-6
wx-5
wx-4
wx-1
wx-83
wx-81
wx-80
wx-58
wx-55
wx-53
wx-51
wx-23
wx-13
wx-11
WETLAND AND WATERCOURSE MAP
WATERFORD APARTMENT COMMUNITY
HENDELS, INC.
969 HARTFORD TURNPIKE
WATERFORD, CONNECTICUT
±
0
260
Feet
Document Path: Y:\5901-04\Maps\Figure 2 - wetlands.mxd
Date Saved: 5/27/2021 
Copyright SLR Consulting - 2021
1 " = 250 '
FIG. 2
15901.00004
5/27/2021
195 CHURCH STREET
7TH FLOOR
NEW HAVEN, CT 06511
203.344.7887
slrconsulting.com
SOURCE: 2016 AERIAL PHOTO, CTDEEP, 2016
LEGEND
Property Boundary
Wetland Flags
Wetland Boundary
Wetland Area

Soil Map—State of Connecticut
(Cross Road Waterford)
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
2/24/2017
Page 1 of 4
4584700
4584900
4585100
4585300
4585500
4585700
4585900
4586100
4586300
4584700
4584900
4585100
4585300
4585500
4585700
4585900
4586100
4586300
737100
737300
737500
737700
737900
738100
738300
737100
737300
737500
737700
737900
738100
738300
41°  23' 37'' N
72°  9' 53'' W
41°  23' 37'' N
72°  8' 54'' W
41°  22' 38'' N
72°  9' 53'' W
41°  22' 38'' N
72°  8' 54'' W
N
Map projection: Web Mercator   Corner coordinates: WGS84   Edge tics: UTM Zone 18N WGS84
0
400
800
1600
2400
Feet
0
100
200
400
600
Meters
Map Scale: 1:8,810 if printed on A portrait (8.5" x 11") sheet.

MAP LEGEND
MAP INFORMATION
Area of Interest (AOI)
Area of Interest (AOI)
Soils
Soil Map Unit Polygons
Soil Map Unit Lines
Soil Map Unit Points
Special Point Features
Blowout
Borrow Pit
Clay Spot
Closed Depression
Gravel Pit
Gravelly Spot
Landfill
Lava Flow
Marsh or swamp
Mine or Quarry
Miscellaneous Water
Perennial Water
Rock Outcrop
Saline Spot
Sandy Spot
Severely Eroded Spot
Sinkhole
Slide or Slip
Sodic Spot
Spoil Area
Stony Spot
Very Stony Spot
Wet Spot
Other
Special Line Features
Water Features
Streams and Canals
Transportation
Rails
Interstate Highways
US Routes
Major Roads
Local Roads
Background
Aerial Photography
The soil surveys that comprise your AOI were mapped at
1:12,000.
Please rely on the bar scale on each map sheet for map
measurements.
Source of Map: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey URL:
Coordinate System: Web Mercator (EPSG:3857)
Maps from the Web Soil Survey are based on the Web Mercator
projection, which preserves direction and shape but distorts
distance and area. A projection that preserves area, such as the
Albers equal-area conic projection, should be used if more
accurate calculations of distance or area are required.
This product is generated from the USDA-NRCS certified data as
of the version date(s) listed below.
Soil Survey Area: State of Connecticut
Survey Area Data: Version 15, Sep 28, 2016
Soil map units are labeled (as space allows) for map scales
1:50,000 or larger.
Date(s) aerial images were photographed: Mar 28, 2011—May
12, 2011
The orthophoto or other base map on which the soil lines were
compiled and digitized probably differs from the background
imagery displayed on these maps. As a result, some minor
shifting of map unit boundaries may be evident.
Soil Map—State of Connecticut
(Cross Road Waterford)
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
2/24/2017
Page 2 of 4

Map Unit Legend
State of Connecticut (CT600)
Map Unit Symbol
Map Unit Name
Acres in AOI
Percent of AOI
3
Ridgebury, Leicester, and
Whitman soils, 0 to 8
percent slopes, extremely
stony
11.7
6.4%
12
Raypol silt loam
0.6
0.4%
13
Walpole sandy loam, 0 to 3
percent slopes
1.8
1.0%
18
Catden and Freetown soils, 0
to 2 percent slopes
3.3
1.8%
23A
Sudbury sandy loam, 0 to 5
percent slopes
1.5
0.8%
29A
Agawam fine sandy loam, 0 to
3 percent slopes
2.3
1.2%
29B
Agawam fine sandy loam, 3 to
8 percent slopes
7.7
4.2%
32A
Haven and Enfield soils, 0 to 3
percent slopes
1.0
0.5%
32B
Haven and Enfield soils, 3 to 8
percent slopes
0.2
0.1%
51B
Sutton fine sandy loam, 2 to 8
percent slopes, very stony
3.9
2.1%
52C
Sutton fine sandy loam, 2 to 15
percent slopes, extremely
stony
5.8
3.2%
61B
Canton and Charlton fine
sandy loams, 0 to 8 percent
slopes, very stony
9.6
5.3%
61C
Canton and Charlton fine
sandy loams, 8 to 15 percent
slopes, very stony
1.3
0.7%
62C
Canton and Charlton fine
sandy loams, 3 to 15 percent
slopes, extremely stony
43.7
23.9%
62D
Canton and Charlton fine
sandy loams, 15 to 35
percent slopes, extremely
stony
0.3
0.1%
68D
Narragansett silt loam, 15 to
25 percent slopes, extremely
stony
0.6
0.3%
73C
Charlton-Chatfield complex, 0
to 15 percent slopes, very
rocky
30.5
16.7%
73E
Charlton-Chatfield complex, 15
to 45 percent slopes, very
rocky
8.8
4.8%
Soil Map—State of Connecticut
Cross Road Waterford
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
2/24/2017
Page 3 of 4

State of Connecticut (CT600)
Map Unit Symbol
Map Unit Name
Acres in AOI
Percent of AOI
75E
Hollis-Chatfield-Rock outcrop
complex, 15 to 45 percent
slopes
7.4
4.0%
103
Rippowam fine sandy loam
1.3
0.7%
107
Limerick and Lim soils
17.2
9.4%
306
Udorthents-Urban land
complex
20.5
11.2%
307
Urban land
2.0
1.1%
Totals for Area of Interest
182.9
100.0%
Soil Map—State of Connecticut
Cross Road Waterford
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
2/24/2017
Page 4 of 4