Groton Open Space Association

GOSA Asks For More Information On Great Brook Project

GROTON–The Groton Open Space Association has asked that the town’s Inland Wetlands Agency withhold a decision on an application to build the Great Brook Subdivision until more information has been gathered on the project, which GOSA said represents a potential threat to the quality of drinking water from the Groton reservoir system.

GOSA told the agency Oct. 8, 2003, that the 104-house subdivision north of Gold Star Highway and west of Gales Ferry Road impacts an area designated by the state and by Groton as desirable for open space protection. The area has been seen by both entities as an important part of a greenbelt system and as a significant watershed.

A GOSA statement prepared by Director Joan Smith and read by Director Marcia Young quoted an engineering study of the Great Brook project by the firm of Fuss and O’Neil as stating it appears that “sewering these new homes would conflict with the State C&D [Conservation and Development] plan.” The study said, “One of the key reasons the C&D plan does not support sewering in Conservation areas is to prevent the non-point source impacts that generally accompany increased density of development that often results from having sewer service available.” Non-point pollution is multi-sourced pollution that can include such items as lawn fertilizer and insecticides; oil, salt and chemical runoff from roads; and pet waste.

The Groton reservoir system would be an important component of a proposed regional water distribution system.

In addition to promoting non-point pollution by encouraging development, GOSA said, the off-site sewer line would include crossings of Hempstead Brook and Great Brook, both tributaries to Groton’s reservoir system. The proposed subdivision also is located near the Ledyard Reservoir.

GOSA recommended that the Inland Wetlands Agency hold off any decision until the project can be studied by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Connecticut State Department of Environmental protection, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“If the applicant denies allowing an extension [of the IWA process] to permit time for these studies, then GOSA suggests that the IWA deny a permit without prejudice, until such time as the necessary information becomes available,” the statement said.

The IWA will continue its hearing on the application Oct. 22.