Conservation Commission Regular Meeting Materials (linked)

Joseph R. Theroux 
                          ~ Certified Forester/ Soil Scientist ~ 
                           Phone 860-428-7992~ Fax 860-376-6842 
                                P.O. Box 32, Voluntown, CT. 06384 
                      Forestry Services ~ Wetland Impact Assessments 
      Wetland Delineations and Permitting ~ E&S/Site Monitoring 
                                                                          Wetland Function & Value Assessments  
 
 
8/11/2022 
  
Provost & Rovero Inc. 
57 East Main Street 
Moosup, CT. 06354 
 
Attn: David Held 
 
Re: Wetland function & value and impact assessment report for the proposed site 
development for the Archambault property, 109R and 131 Clark Lane, Waterford, 
Connecticut. 
 
Dear Mr. Held, 
At your request, I have reviewed the submitted preliminary site plan for the proposed 47-unit 
housing development project and I inspected the above referenced properties for the 
purposes of assessing the wetland functions and values and potential impacts to the inland 
wetlands and watercourses in proximity to the proposed development. 
The wetland function and value assessment was conducted on March 30, 2022. 
Existing Conditions 
The properties total 16.06 acres in size and are located on the east side of Clark Lane in 
Waterford CT.  
The 4.33-acre parcel and the western portion of the 11.73-acre parcel are heavily vegetated, 
upland abandoned field areas with nearly level topography and well drained soils. 
The eastern portion of the 11.73-acre property is occupied mostly by a palustrine forested 
wetland and intermittent watercourses. 
Upland Review Areas 
The 50- foot upland review areas adjacent to the various inland wetlands and watercourses 
are vegetated in the overstory with mixed hardwoods in the sawtimber and polewood size 
classes. Species observed included: red maple, black oak hickory, and black cherry.   

 
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The diversely vegetated understories are comprised of polewood and saplings in these 
species as well as shrub species such as ironwood, spicebush, and winterberry. Vine 
species included poison ivy, grape vines, Virginia creeper, round leaf green briar, bittersweet 
and Japanese honeysuckle. 
Herbaceous vegetation observed included numerous fern species, goldenrod, mugwort, 
black raspberry, milkweed, and miscellaneous grasses such as sedges, foxtail and reed 
canary grass. 
Invasives noted included autumn olive, Japanese barberry, multiflora rose, Asiatic 
bittersweet, mugwort, winged euonymus, garlic mustard, and Japanese honeysuckle.  
Wetlands 
A large palustrine forested wetland is located in the eastern portion of the 11.73-acre parcel, 
and extends through the adjacent property to the north. 
The seasonally high water tables in these wetlands break out and create shallow ponded 
areas in the numerous depressions in the topography. These areas drain to the east either 
sheet flowing downslope or they form small narrow intermittent watercourses. No significant 
watercourses were found extending directly into Fenger Brook. 
Inland wetlands also extended into the abandoned early successional field areas in the 
central portion of the property. These wetlands would be classified as scrub-shrub wetlands 
due to the majority of the vegetation is comprised of herbaceous, shrub and sapling 
vegetation. 
Fenger Brook extends from north to south in the eastern portion of the forested wetland near 
the eastern property boundary.  
This watercourse is bordered on its eastern and western sides by the large forested 
wetlands which contribute hydrology to the Brook. The gently sloping topography adjacent to 
the stream channel allows flows from groundwater breakout and surface flows during 
significant storm events to enter the Brook. 
The Brook was observed on 8/11/2022 and no stream flows were noted, however this Brook 
flows with significant velocities, as evidenced by its eroded streambanks and numerous 
exposed stones and boulders throughout its entire length. 
The majority of the forested wetlands are vegetated with red maple, white ash, and elm in 
the overstory, and in the understory saplings and typical wetland shrub species such as 
highbush blueberry, arrowwood, multiflora rose, Japanese barberry, speckled alder, 
winterberry and spicebush. Other species included, black raspberry, grapevines, bittersweet, 
greenbrier, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. 
Herbaceous vegetation included wood, lady & cinnamon ferns, tussock sedges, rushes, 
skunk cabbage, jack- in- the- pulpit, jewelweed, goldenrod, various mosses and 
miscellaneous grasses.  

 
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Wildlife tracks/sign found or directly observed in and adjacent to the wetland/watercourse 
included mammals and bird species such as: white tailed deer, eastern coyote, red fox, 
raccoon, red tailed hawk, American crow, and numerous songbird species. 
No amphibians were observed although undoubtedly, this wetland complex serves as 
habitat to numerous reptile and amphibian species.  
 Wetland Functions and Values 
The forested wetlands and watercourse(s), were inspected to determine wetland functions 
and values utilizing the Army Corps. Of Engineers methodology as outlined in “The Highway 
Methodology Workbook Supplement”. This methodology recognizes eight categories of 
wetland functions and six categories of wetland values. 
The 8 wetland functions include: groundwater recharge/discharge, floodflow 
alteration/storage, fish/shellfish habitat, sediment/toxicant/pathogen retention, nutrient 
removal/retention/transformation, production export, sediment/shoreline stabilization and 
wildlife habitat.  
The 6 wetland values include: recreational value, educational/scientific value, 
uniqueness/heritage value, visual quality/aesthetics, threatened/endangered species habitat 
and marine fish & shellfish habitat. 
Palustrine forested /scrub-shrub wetlands & watercourse functions: 
The following is a list of the wetland functions exhibited by these wetlands and watercourses 
and their rationale/qualifiers: 
Ground water recharge/discharge: The wetland is associated with intermittent 
watercourses; signs of groundwater recharge and discharge are present and the quality of 
the water associated with this wetland is high. 
Sediment/toxicant retention: Potential sources of sediments/toxicants are present in the 
watershed above this wetland, mineral, fine grained and organic soils are present, the 
wetland edge is broad and intermittently anerobic. (The lack of oxygen allows for the 
transformation and binding of toxicants). This wetland is associated with intermittent 
watercourses, and no indicators of erosive forces or high water velocities are present. 
Nutrient removal/retention: This wetland is large relative to the size of its watershed, (its 
size allows for significant storage/retention capacity), an overall potential for nutrient removal 
and retention exists in the wetland, potential sources of nutrients exist, and the wetland is 
saturated for most of the season creating anerobic conditions. The slowly drained mineral 
and organic soils which are present in these anerobic conditions harbor nitrogen fixing 
bacteria which provide the opportunity for nutrient attenuation. The dense herbaceous 
vegetation utilizes nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and water moves slowly through this 
wetland which increases the available period of time for removal and retention.  
Production export: Wildlife food sources grow within the wetland which provide food for 
wildlife and humans. Detritus development is present creating fertile organic soils. There is 

 
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evidence of wildlife use in this wetland and high vegetation density is present providing food 
and cover for wildlife. The wetland contains flowering plants that are used by nectar 
gathering insects, and indications of export are present such as deer browse. 
Sediment & shoreline stabilization: Roots from herbaceous grasses and plants, shrub 
species and trees found in these wetlands bind and stabilize soils which helps prevent 
erosion from stream flows along edges of watercourses & wetlands.  
Wildlife habitat: The water quality associated with the wetlands and watercourses is high 
because the wetland is not fragmented or polluted by development. The wetland is 
contiguous with other wetland systems creating an overall larger wetland habitat area. This 
also allows wildlife overland access to other wetlands without intrusive development 
encroachments.  Wildlife food sources are present throughout the wetland. The dominant 
wetland class includes a wooded swamp which provides a diversity of habitat and cover. 
Numerous animal signs such as tracks and scat were observed. Wildlife habitat is the 
primary function of this wetland. 
 
Wetland functions not present: 
The forested/ emergent wetlands and intermittent watercourses did not exhibit the wetland 
functions of floodflow alteration, or fish habitat due to the lack of flood storage capacity, the 
presence of the watercourses transporting flood flows and a lack of significant deep water 
habitat areas capable of sustaining fish.  
Palustrine forested/scrub-shrub wetlands & watercourse values 
The following wetland values were exhibited by this wetland/watercourse: 
Educational/scientific value: Little disturbance has occurred within this wetland, off-road 
parking at this potential educational site is suitable for school bus access and site is 
immediately adjacent to the Clark Lane Middle School. 
Wetland values not present: 
This wetland did not exhibit the wetland values of recreation, uniqueness/heritage value, 
visual quality/aesthetics value, endangered species habitat or fish and shellfish habitat 
(marine). These values were not exhibited due to the lack of public access, and fishing and 
hunting opportunities. There are no historic features associated with the wetland, high noise 
levels are present, there is a lack of scenic views, and the property and surrounding area 
are not shown within the shaded areas on the D.E.E.P. Natural Diversity Database mapping 
for state or federal listed threatened or endangered species. 
Summary: 
Overall, the wetland function and value assessment indicates that the wetlands exhibit six 
significant wetland functions: groundwater recharge/discharge, sediment/toxicant retention, 

 
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nutrient removal/retention, production export, sediment & shoreline stabilization and wildlife 
habitat, and one value, (wildlife value). 
 
Potential wetland impacts 
The project plans and site were reviewed to assess the potential impacts to the wetlands 
and watercourses from the proposed development. 
On this parcel, a 47-unit housing development is proposed which includes a private access 
road, stormwater treatment system consisting of a system of catch basins, a hydrodynamic 
separator, a bioretention basin, and detention basin.  Other features include a wood chip 
walking trail which is proposed around the perimeter of the water quality basins and a 
gazebo. 
To construct these features, no direct wetland disturbance is proposed, and the only 
disturbance proposed within the 50-foot upland review area is for the construction of the 
standpipe outlet and rip-rap scour hole associated with the detention basin. 
 
Stormwater treatment system: 
To collect, attenuate, treat, and infiltrate/discharge the stormwater flows from the pervious 
and non-pervious portions of the site a comprehensive stormwater management system 
was developed. 
This system incorporates catch basins with sumps to collect stormwater and a 
hydrodynamic separator and stormwater quality/detention basin to treat, infiltrate and/or 
discharge treated stormwater. This system is designed to meet the 2004 Connecticut Dept. 
of Environmental Protection Stormwater Quality Manual, and is designed to handle up to a 
100-year storm event. The Project Engineer has designed the system such that there will be 
no increases in peak flows discharging from the system. 
Direct wetland impacts: 
No direct impacts are proposed with the design of the project or will occur as a result of the 
construction of the housing development or stormwater quality system. 
Potential indirect impacts: 
The potential short-term impacts associated with the initial land clearing, stumping, top soil 
stripping and construction would include potential sediment discharges during significant 
storm events if the E&S measures breach. 
I have provided E&S control recommendations to the project engineer which have been 
incorporated into the plan sets and E&S control narrative. 

 
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It is my opinion, provided that the E&S measures are correctly implemented and maintained 
throughout the project timeframe, the E&S inspections are conducted as proposed and no 
significant discharges of sediments reach the wetlands or watercourses, the disturbance 
associated with the construction adjacent to the wetlands will not significantly impact the 
wetlands or their existing functions due to erosion and sedimentation.  
Once the disturbed areas are re-vegetated and stabilized, the well- to moderately well-
drained soils will allow for good infiltration of storm water runoff both during and after 
construction.  
The nearly level topography of the site and gentle proposed slopes adjacent to the wetlands 
will help prevent erosion. 
The quick and permanent establishment of vegetation in the disturbed areas is crucial to the 
prevention of post-construction erosion.  
Wetland Hydrology 
I see no direct or indirect impacts to the wetland/watercourse hydrology as a result of the 
proposed development. The storm water quality basins are designed to attenuate, treat, 
infiltrate and discharge the treated stormwater. 
The impervious surfaces of the paved roads, roof areas and pervious surface infiltration will 
be a significant input to the existing hydrology, through some minor overland flow, as ground 
water recharge or as direct discharge during significant storm events. It is my professional 
opinion that these inputs will augment and improve the existing hydrology of the wetlands 
and watercourses. These added inputs will allow for increased seasonal inundation in 
depressed areas in the wetlands and will provide a better diversity in wildlife habitat as well.  
Water Quality: 
The only potential direct impact to water quality in the wetlands and watercourses would be 
due to the direct discharge of stormwater associated with stormwater system.  
As the stormwater system is designed remove 80% solids to CT. D.E.E.P. standards, and 
will attenuate, treat, infiltrate and discharge only treated stormwater, I see no significant 
impacts to the water quality in the wetlands and watercourses, provided that the two- bay 
water quality bioretention/detention basins and deep sump catch basins are constructed as 
designed, and are inspected and maintained. The discharge point does not directly 
discharge into any intermittent watercourses, or adjacent wetlands. These limited discharges 
will enter uplands, and infiltrate in the well- drained soil types and/or travel as sheet flow into 
the wetlands. 
 Due to the design of the level spreader, gently sloping topography and significant overall 
distance of the basin outlet from Fenger Brook, it is my opinion that no channelized direct 
discharges will reach Fenger Brook. 
 

 
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Water temperature impacts: 
The proposed stormwater quality system is primarily designed to attenuate, hold and 
infiltrate stormwater into the water table. Discharges will only occur during significant storm 
events after the “first flush” of storm water is treated, and the discharge point does not 
directly discharge into any intermittent watercourses, or adjacent wetlands. These limited 
discharges will enter uplands, and infiltrate in the well- drained soil types and/or travel as 
sheet flow into the wetlands. 
For these reasons, I see no significant or adverse impacts to the existing water 
temperatures of these watercourses from the infiltration and discharge of stormwater from 
the site. 
Adjacent Upland Wildlife Habitat Impacts:  
The clearing of vegetation and development outside the 50-foot upland review area adjacent 
to the wetlands and watercourses will force wildlife into the vegetated corridor in and around 
the adjacent wetlands and watercourses, during and after the construction timeframe, and 
into other areas where the uplands are not disturbed. 
The existing 50 foot and greater zones adjacent to the wetlands will serve as an adequate 
wildlife corridor and riparian zone. 
I would also recommend the posting of the 50-foot upland review areas with permanent 
signage to help prevent future encroachments or cutting of vegetation. Signs are usually 
attached to trees, metal or pressure treated posts, at eye level, at an approximate spacing of 
25 feet for good visibility. 
In summary, I see no direct or adverse impacts to the existing wetlands, watercourses or 
their functions and values. 
This is provided that the recommended erosion and sedimentation control features are 
implemented, maintained and monitored throughout the construction and post construction 
timeframe. 
If you have any questions concerning the site assessment or this report, please feel free to 
contact me. 
Sincerely, 
Joseph R. Theroux 
Joseph R. Theroux 
Certified Forester and Soil Scientist 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Member SSSSNE, SSSA 
 
 
 

 
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