No Harm Done to Wetlands by Construction at Waterford High School

At its December 15 meeting, the Conservation Commission was looking for for problems with sediment runoff at the Waterford High School construction site would be the last.

Though O&G Industries Project Manager Gus Kotait told commission members the company had developed a winter sediment and control plan and that the plan included site inspections before and after major weather events, Conservation Commission Chairman Gary Johnson remained dubious.

“I want someone personally accountable so I know they’re going to happen,” said Johnson.  “Who’s going to look me in the eye and tell me these are going to work?”

Johnson’s pointed question was greeted by a long silence before Kotait said he would make every effort to comply.

Fixing The Problem

The report from Scott Medeiros of McFarland Johnson, an independent consultant hired by O&G Industries to deal with the sediment runoff issues, however, was more encouraging.

The recent violation resulted from runoff caused by a heavy four-inch rainfall. As the roof had been installed but didn’t have any gutters at that point, the rain water washed onto the site and carried sediment into the storm water basin.

Since the November rain storm temporary gutters have been installed on the north side of the roof and gutters will be installed on the east side of the roof soon, Medeiros said. Water collected in the gutters is being drained down two spouts into the catch basin. The storm water basin has been pumped out and the sediment was removed earlier this week, he said.

Considering the amount of rain, Medeiros said he thought the site held up relatively well but he added that it needs to be closely monitored moving forward.

“The basins on the site do not have any outlet," Medeiros said. "They require a little babysitting.” 

To help stabilize the site over the winter, Medeiros said he’s recommended that temporary curbing be installed and that asphalt be used to cover the area surrounding the well field, which also overfilled during the last heavy storm.  

The well field was scheduled to be paved but the weather forced O&G to put that project on hold. Medeiros said he’s told O&G to put down as much asphalt as possible but that job has to be completed by the end of next week because the asphalt plants will be closing down for the winter soon.

“As we go into winter, with frozen ground and more snow than rain, we’re not going to generate a ton of runoff,” Medeiros said.

Even so, Medeiros is recommending that the whole site be inspected prior to and after storm events and that snow be removed promptly to the stockpile area close to Miner Lane, which is fairly level and is the farthest point from the wetlands area.

Wetland Report

Joseph Theroux, a wetlands scientist hired as an independent consultant to assess the environmental impact of the last storm at the behest of the Conservation Commission, had some good news to report at least.

After inspecting the site on December 5 and December 9, Theroux said he found only trace amounts of very fine sediment in wetland areas that had very slow flow or no flow.

“It’s lucky because that wetland is very good at filtering,” said Theroux. “The main channel water was as clear as it can get with no evidence of sediment.”

“They have a very tough site to deal with,” Theroux added. “It needs more capacity but that’s all you guys have to work with.”

The Commission members seemed reassured that the recent runoff had done no damage to the sensitive wetlands that border the site. Some were less confident, however, that this would be the last time they'd have to deal with this issue. 

"We keep chasing this," said Commission member Harold Hansen. "We need to plan in advance so it doesn't happen."

Medeiros' tone was optimistic, however. Unless the site is hit with four feet of snow followed by 60 degree temperatures and rainfall, Medeiros said, he thinks the site erosion and water control plan for the winter, if implemented, should work as expected.