Conservation Commission - 654 (11/09/2023)

JAMES SIPPERLY 
CERTIFIED SOIL SCIENTIST 
CONNECTICUT WETLAND SCIENTIST 
401 SALEM TURPIKE 
BOZRAH, CT 06334                 
860-334-7073 
james.sipperly.js@gmail.com 
 
 
Maureen Fitzgerald, Environmental Planner                                 September 26, 2023 
Town of Waterford 
15 Rope Ferry Road 
Waterford, CT 06385 
 
RE: INLAND WETLAND SOILS AND WATERCOURSES INVESTIGATION,  
       AND DELINEATION – WETLAND FUNCTIONS AND VALUE ASSESSMENT  
       33 KENYON ROAD, WATERFORD, CT  
 
Dear Ms. Fitzgerald: 
 
In August 2020, I visited the site referenced above to delineate the inland wetlands and 
watercourses that may exist on the site.   
 
I sampled the soils throughout the site using a soil auger to a depth of 2-3 feet. Based on 
my field observations and using the guidelines established by the National Cooperative 
Soil Survey and as defined by the Connecticut General Statutes, I delineated the inland 
wetland soils using pink and blue flagging numbered WL-1-WL-39. 
 
Inland Wetlands are defined as areas of poorly drained, very poorly drained, floodplain 
and alluvial soils. Watercourses are defined as bogs, swamps, or marshes, as well as lakes, 
ponds, rivers, streams, etc., whether natural or man-made, permanent or intermittent. 
 
The inland wetland soils on the site and off the site are classified as a very poorly drained 
Catden and Freetown organic muck soils. These soils are often found in depressions and 
drainageways on glacial till uplands and in bogs and swamps and are mapped together as 
a complex due to their similar physical characteristics, use and management.   
 
The majority of the upland soils on the site are classified as a well drained Charlton-
Chatfield rocky fine sandy loam. These soils are well drained soils found on glacial till 
uplands. There are also upland soils classified as a moderately well drained Ninigret fine 
sandy loams. See the USDA soils map included in the application submitted. 
    
The inland wetlands and watercourses delineation is shown correctly on a site plan 
entitled: 

 “Land of Congregation Beth-EL, Inc., 33 Kenyon Road, Waterford, CT, scale 1” = 40’, 
dated 7/1/23, existing conditions plan sheet C1.1, prepared by Summer Hill Civil 
Engineers and Land Surveyors, P.C.” 
  
The wetland area is classified as a forested wetland/bog general classification. The 
wetland area has functions that include: groundwater recharge and discharge, sediment 
stabilization, nutrient removal and transformation, product export, and wildlife diversity. 
The vegetative over-story includes maples, locust, black cherry and poplar. Shrub species 
include, winterberry, spice bush, silky dogwood. The herbaceous layer includes sensitive 
fern, poison ivy, wild grape, Joe Pye weed, jewel weed and skunk cabbage. 
 
The main body of this vast wetland area that extends north – northeast towards Pladgett 
Place and Vauxhall Street Extension is of high value for vegetative diversity, wildlife 
habitat and visual aesthetics.   
 
The upland area of the site has been maintained as a lawn/field type of landscape. 
Limited trees are located in the upland portion of the site and are comprised mostly of 
maples and butternut and locust. Golden rod, grape vine, black berries, green brier, 
milkweed multi-flora rose, New England Aster and bittersweet make up the rest of the 
vegetative upland species. 
 
Along wetland flags # WL21- WL26, a historic drainage ditch was created by a former 
owner many years ago. There was evidence of ditching and grading up to wetland flags 
WL-21 – WL-26 and remnants of a crumpled concrete pipe was observed. The vast area 
of the main wetlands are located to the north and east of the site. Wetland flags WL-16 to 
WL-30 is the edge and limits of the larger wetland area.  
 
As a result of this feature, 450 sq ft of inland wetland soils are proposed to be altered in 
order to install a well designed stormwater infiltration basin. This basin will infiltrate 
storm water from the site into the ground water that will sustain the functionality of the 
wetland to accept ground water recharge.  
 
There will be no clearing of vegetation other than that is necessary to install the storm 
water infiltration basin.  
 
The proposed development in the 100’ upland review area will not be disturbing any 
wetlands and/or watercourses on the site or adjacent to the site. For that reason, the inland 
wetlands will continue to perform their functions and high value as they currently do.  
 
With any proposed project a comprehensive erosion and sedimentation control plan, well 
designed and properly installed and maintained is the key to a successful project. This 
site plan meets those requirements. Regular inspections should occur, especially prior to 
storm events predicted of more than 1.5” of rain.  
 
 

After reviewing the erosion and sedimentation control plans and the storm water design 
features, it is my professional opinion that the proposed construction activities will not 
have a significant adverse effect on the adjacent inland wetlands and/or watercourse on or 
off the site.           
 
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact me at the 
telephone number referenced above. 
 
Very truly yours, 
  
James Sipperly 
 
James Sipperly 
Certified Soil Scientist, Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England  
Connecticut Wetland Scientist, Connecticut Association of Wetland Scientists