Daniel Gulard presented on a critical environmental study orchestrated by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), which aims to survey the East and West branches of the Westport River. This survey, part of a nationwide initiative, will gather data both on land and underwater, with applications for septic system installations, aquaculture siting, and erosion pattern analysis. The project promises to aid Westport’s climate resilience efforts and expand local restoration initiatives, such as salt marsh and oyster reef restorations. Due to a compelling justification letter submitted by the commission, Westport will receive assistance from a special projects team from Maryland.

Gulard assured the commission about the low-impact nature of the survey, explaining that small diameter cores would be used to collect samples, avoiding any disruption to the salt marshes. Necessary permissions to access various marshes have already been secured. The commission showed strong support, voting unanimously on a motion for a negative box 2 determination, thereby authorizing the commencement of sediment sampling.

In parallel, the commission engaged in a discussion regarding the Corey project, particularly focusing on hydrologist Peter Dylan’s letter that denied a hydraulic connection between a pump and the bordering vegetated wetlands (BVW) or Angeline Brook. Commission members reviewed a counter-analysis by George Campbell, which critiqued Dylan’s testing methods—specifically the monitoring of only a single well instead of two, raising concerns about the thoroughness of the initial study.

The commission had previously set conditions necessitating a Notice of Intent (NOI) before operational decisions regarding the pump, but a recent site visit by a DEP representative suggested that no further NOIs would be necessary. This discrepancy prompted concerns among the commission members, particularly if DEP acknowledged a connection between the pumping activity and the wetland areas. The commission discussed the need for the developer to adopt measures such as stormwater recharge and long-term monitoring.

The urgency of drafting a response letter was emphasized, with plans to incorporate Campbell’s comprehensive analysis and recommendations for the developer.

Other agenda items included procedural discussions on local construction projects. A notice from David Petty about a project on Cherry Web Lane was postponed due to missing documentation, specifically the absence of green cards. Similarly, Jonathan Levy’s proposed dock construction on B Drift Road was delayed until July 7th. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) also requested a continuance for a proposed road widening on John Reed Road, scheduled for June 9th.

The commission also reviewed a Certificate of Compliance for Rebecca Turner on Old Harbor Road, deciding to defer action until June 9th to allow time for landscaping to establish. Additionally, the Westlook Farm Dock Association sought a three-year extension of their order of conditions due to ongoing litigation with a neighbor. A motion to extend the order was made, reflecting the commission’s awareness of the prolonged legal process regarding right of way access, which has lasted six years.