Who’s Minding the Store?

“Construction of the proposed Project in wetland areas will occur during winter months or dry summer months to reduce disturbance to wetlands.” It is troubling that in spite of that condition in VELCO’s Certificate of Public Good, VELCO has done much of their work in wetlands in Charlotte during the spring! Who is minding the store? VELCO started excavation on March 10 for access to the new substation site and continues during a wet season. Construction vehicles have caused ruts in soil beyond the crushed stone access road. The underground line still to be installed under Ferry Road and through the Pringle Brook wetland may further affect poor drainage of stormwater in that area.
Work in Thorp Brook area near Town Farm Bay not finished before March 15 was subject to a site visit and permit amendment before continuing. After March 15, when most of the snow had melted and soil was thawing, VELCO brought poles and dozens of heavy wooden construction mats (each about 10 by 8 ft) into the area south of Thorp Brook, covering much land including wetland areas. In early April VELCO blasted stone and installed pole number 188 near a small wetland, even though it was subject to the required site visit on April 21.
In early May, VELCO poured a concrete base for pole 189 near Thorp Brook, with approval from the Wetlands Division. Thorp Brook Rare Irreplaceable Natural Area (a section of VELCO’s right-of-way) was to be protected by a plan developed and agreed to by VELCO, requiring them to work during periods other than spring. Heavy wooden construction mats still cover much of the right-of-way between poles 187 and 189 south of Thorp Brook since March or April. All the poles have now been installed in the area.
VELCO needs to remove their construction mats and restore the Thorp Brook area so that it can recover during the growing season. State authorities need to hold this project to consistent standards, and to monitor construction of the underground line to prevent damage to wetlands adjacent to Pringle Brook or degraded water quality at Town Beach.
Sylvia Knight