Commission approves 2:1 wetland replication to replace older, failed work at 504–508 Wareham Street

The Middleborough Conservation Commission voted Tuesday to approve an amended order of conditions requiring a 3,800-square-foot wetland replication area to replace a previously attempted and apparently failed planting tied to a former wetland crossing at 504 and 508 Wareham Street.

Shane Oates of Independence Engineering represented the applicant, Stone Estates LLC, and said the existing disturbed area from the older crossing measures about 1,900 square feet and the proposed replication doubles that footprint, meeting the engineering guidance provided by the state. Brad Holmes (ECR), the project wetlands specialist, described excavation of upland areas to lower them, placement of a compost/loam mix and replanting with a mix of trees and shrubs specified on the plan; he said the work follows DEP replication standards and included a step-by-step narrative and monitoring plan.

Trish, the conservation agent, said commission field visits and a review of the old file showed pots and attempted plantings that had not established successfully; the current proposal responds to that deficiency. Commissioners discussed appropriate replication ratios. Commissioner Diane said she preferred a 3:1 replication standard given the history of failed attempts and the region’s development pressures; the applicant argued that DEP requires only 1:1 and that the applicant had agreed to a 2:1 ratio for this amendment. After discussion, the commission approved the amendment to the order of conditions with the proposed 2:1 replication and a standard monitoring schedule.

Public commenters, including neighboring property owners, asked questions about where the replication would be located relative to existing site features and about truck routing and earth removal associated with the earlier project. Commission staff explained that the commission’s jurisdiction covers the proposed replication area within the 100-foot wetland buffer and that earth-removal permits and truck routing are handled in the planning/select-board process. The vote to approve the amended order was recorded with four commissioners voting in favor and one opposed.

The commission’s approval requires a monitoring period consistent with DEP guidance (monitoring visits and performance standard of 75% vegetative cover after two growing seasons); the applicant will submit a completion report and monitoring documentation to the commission as part of the compliance process.