Patricia Sesto, Director May 5, 2016

Study of the biological, chemical, physical, geological, and other attributes of all inland waters * Wetland Science aka Limnology

Habitat Pollution Renovation Thermal Chemical Solids Flood Amelioration Erosion & Sediment Control Water staging * Benefits of Conserving Wetlands and Watercourses

People Habitat, too. Original purpose was to protect drinking water supplies

* Protects Consumers * Developed wetlands are trouble * Cracked foundations, failing septics, water in the house, deteriorated driveway, on road flooding

* Protect you from Property Damage * Eutrophication of ponds and lakes * Flood Control * Scour * Sedimentation

* Recreation * Freshwater and Saltwater * Inland actions affect marine environments * Boating, fishing, swimming, wading * All require clean water * Economic benefit * Property Value * Assurance of future expectations

* The conservation of wetlands and watercourses has a communal benefit to our health, prosperity, and quality of life. * Wetland protection is a science. We are not all scientists, so we may not know what the right decision is.

Not expected to make development go away Is expected to influence development Part of the carrying capacity assessment of a property

* Each property has to stand on its own * Degradation occurs by an accumulation of individual acts * Likewise, individual protections have cumulative benefits * The IWWA is limited to protecting wetlands one property or project at a time

* No more “35 foot setback” * Guideline was abused * Makes for bad assumptions * Uninformed land use decisions of the past is not a justification to perpetuate the result in the future. * You wouldn’t expect your doctor to still practice 1985 science. * Every applicant needs to justify why less than a 100 foot buffer is justifiable or inconsequential * Drainage Manual – Great, however a signoff from DPW is not the final answer for IWWA

* Application documentation * Have been light on ecological evaluations * Onus fell to staff to make assessments * Poor record for agency and applicant * Without the information, to many assumptions are made * Feasible and prudent alternatives test * Statutory obligation * Avenues for discussion to advance application * Enlightens agency on applicants considerations and constraints

* Embrace Significant Impact Activity determination * Applications get public hearing * Additional information is required * Agency must make the determination that no feasible and prudent alternative exists with a lesser impact to the wetland or watercourse * Applicant’s burden to prove

* Our role is to help applicants and the public, and support the Agency, simultaneously. * Applicants * Be upfront in pre-application reviews without pre-judging * Point out red flags * Give direction on possible improvements * Give direction on necessary supporting documentation * What is needed to make this an approval project

* Primary role is to provide technical assistance * Scientific * Legal * Be sure application record supports decision * Help members create a good record

* Customer satisfaction * Updated application forms to be shorter and more friendly * Working to move applications through promptly * Staff reports shared two weeks out * Applicants still learning/resisting requirements enforcement * Look for agent review opportunities * Aligned counter hours with Building, Zoning, and Health

* Department and Agency are professionally well regarded * I have the ability to look at the workings from an outside, educated perspective. * Can identify things “we have always done” and question why are we still doing it or is there a better way * I am hopeful my expertise and firm, but balanced approach will serve Greenwich well.

Thank you! * Patricia Sesto Director