Groton Open Space Association

GOSA Becomes Intervenor In Two Great Brook Processes

GROTON–The Groton Open Space Association has officially intervened as a party in two town reviews of a proposal to build 104 houses north of Route 184 and west of Gales Ferry Road–a development known as Great Brook.

GOSA said it was intervening pursuant to Section 22a-19 of the Connecticut General Statutes and the Provisions of the Environmental Protection Act of 1971 because it believes the subdivision is “reasonably likely to have the effect of unreasonably polluting, impairing or destroying the public trust in the air, water or other natural resources of Connecticut.”

The intervention applies to reviews of the project by the Inland Wetlands Agency and the Planning Commission. The IWA is nearing the end of its review, while the Planning Commission is to start its review shortly.

The Oct. 21, 2003, notice of intervention filed by GOSA says that:

–The proposed subdivision and the proposed sewer line extension that would serve it are located in the Town of Groton Water Resource Protection District, “which means the land affected by them drains into the watershed of the Groton public drinking water supply.” There are six identified wetlands and five vernal pools located either on the 125 acre parcel or on the 17 acres affected by the sewer line extension. Wood frogs and salamanders, generally declining in Connecticut under the impact of development, are among wildlife in the area.

–The subdivision and sewer crossing over two tributaries of a Groton drinking water reservoir lie within a major “sewer avoidance” area shown in the Groton Sewer Facilities Plan revised last June 3.

–The building site is within the “preservation” and “conservation” areas designated by the State Plan of Conservation and Development and within the “significant conservation” and “Important conservation” areas of Groton’s Plan of Conservation and Development.

–The project would subject the water of the reservoir to pollution from herbicides, insecticides and hydrocarbons running off from houses, roads and driveways in the subdivision and entering Great Brook.