HomeMy WebLinkAboutSD-22-07 - Supplemental - 0047 Cheesefactory Road (11)Fitzgerald Environmental Associates, LLC.
Applied Watershed Science & Ecology
18 Severance Green · Suite 203 · Colchester · Vermont · 05446
Tel. 802.876.7778 · www.fitzgeraldenvironmental.com
MEMORANDUM
To:Nick Smith, Lamoureux & Dickinson
From:Joe Bartlett, CFM
Re:Wetlands Assessment for Hickory Hillside Subdivision, South Burlington
Date:January 12, 2021 (revised June 10, 2021)
Fitzgerald Environmental Associates LLC (FEA) is assisting Lamoureux & Dickinson to evaluate the potential
presence of jurisdictional wetlands on the agricultural parcel proposed for development of the 3 lot
Hickory Hillside subdivision. The parcel is located south of Cheesefactory Road and west of our Route 116
in South Burlington. FEA completed an initial wetland review of the property in November 2019, primarily
to map wetlands along the western and southern side of the parcel for a potential easement to access the
proposed Ewing Farm subdivision to the south. A class III wetland was delineated in this portion of the
parcel and was confirmed with Tina Heath (VTDEC Wetland Scientist). FEA completed a preliminary review
of wetlands for the proposed Hickory Hillside subdivision in 2019, however the site was not visited with
VTDEC at that time.
FEA conducted a desktop GIS review of the property using aerial photography, LiDAR contours, NRCS soil
survey data, the Vermont Significant Wetlands Inventory (VSWI), and the Vermont Hydrography Dataset
(VHD). The site has a varied terrain with scattered rocky outcrops, but generally drains south with a
moderate slope. All underlying soils are mapped as hydrogroup D with a narrow band of hydric soil
(Covington silty clay) along Cheesefactory Road and along the southern parcel boundary. Muddy Brook is
located at the southeast corner of the property. An intermittent stream flows through the western portion
of the parcel, draining to a large wet meadow complex that flows east to Muddy Brook and south to
Shelburne Pond. The VSWI includes a Class II wetland closely following Muddy Brook and the wetland
advisory layer has additional areas extending up the slope from Muddy Brook and along Cheesefactory
Road near the intermittent channel.
FEA completed a preliminaryup wetland delineation site visit on 12/30/2020 (no snow cover). Vegetation
was difficult to identify/classify due to winter conditions and recent grazing (See picture on the page 3).
The wetland delineation was primarily based on hydric soil indicators and site topography following the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers methodology using the "Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers
Wetland Delineation Manual: Northcentral and Northeast Region." It is important to note that these
delineations were completed outside of the growing season. Larger wetland areas were identified along
the western edge of the property (confirmed with Tina Heath in 2019) and along the southern edge of the
property. The northern boundary of the wetland complex to the south of the subdivision was flagged and
mapped during the 12/30/2020 site visit. This wetland is more than 300 feet south and more than 30 feet
lower elevation than the proposed disturbance for the subdivision.
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Environmental
A small wetland (0.3 acres) was identified near the proposed curb cut for the Hickory Hillside subdivision.
This boundary was flagged and mapped during site survey. This wetland starts at the toe of the road
embankment and minimal connection for surface drainage to the pasture areas north of the road.
In May of 2021 FEA met onsite with VTDEC Wetlands Program to review this wetland and determine its
classification. Hydric soil indicators and wetland hydrology were noted during the site visit and found to
continue south through a narrow flow path connecting to the larger wetland complex. Based on these
findings the wetland is presumptively Class II due to connectivity.The following is a criteria evaluation of
the wetland as described in Section 5 of the 2020 Vermont Wetland Rule:
5.1 Water Storage for Flood Water and Storm Runoff:This wetland is over 50’ higher in elevation than the
floodplain associated with Muddy Brook. In addition, the existing topography and the unconstricted outlet
do not lend to storage of flood waters or stormwater runoff. No evidence of seasonal flooding or ponding
was noted.
5.2 Surface and Ground Water Protection:While this wetland may provide some treatment to runoff from
adjacent uplands and roadway as it travels through the existing vegetation the minimal impact to the City
wetland buffer by the new access road does not significantly reduce this function. This wetland is currently
used, and will continue to be used, for rotational grazing which has likely limited the function of this
wetland to provide surface water treatment.
5.3 Fish Habitat:No open water.
5.4 Wildlife Habitat:The current, and future use of the wetland is rotational grazing, with limited habitat
diversity.
5.5 Exemplary Wetland Natural Community: This wetland is not hydrologically connected to the wet
clayplain forest (significant natural community) mapped to the northwest.
5.6 Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species:No RTE species are mapped within the area of the subject
wetland.
5.7 Education and Research in Natural Sciences:Not applicable.
5.8 Recreational Value and Economic Benefits:Not applicable.
5.9 Open Space and Aesthetics:While the wetland is visible from Cheesefactory Road and the new
proposed access drive, it appears more as a field than a wetland. Larger and more significant wetlands are
located elsewhere on the parcel and will not be disturbed through this project.
5.10 Erosion Control through Binding and Stabilizing the Soil: No erosion forces were identified; the upland
contributing area is extremely limited.
During the site visit (and in a follow-up email with FEA) VTDEC Wetlands Program confirmed that the
wetland is considered to be agriculturally exempt, and will remain exempt as long as it is in agricultural
use. Wetlands that are agriculturally exempt do not have an associated 50’ buffer, so long as the wetland
itself is not impacted by development. The shared access road for the proposed Hickory Hillside
subdivision was modified in order to avoid any development within the wetland. The plans note that the
entire wetland is to remain in agricultural use, which is consistent with the current conservation plan
Hickory Hillside Subdivision, South Burlington, VT 3
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submitted by the developer. No impacts are proposed within 250’ of the other Class II wetlands or buffers
on the parcel.
Center of Class II wetland looking north towards Cheesefactory Road