Commission finds Manresa Wilds 'North Forest' referral consistent with harbor plan; questions remain on coal-ash remediation

Attorney Liz Sutchi and the Manresa Wilds project team presented the first-phase 'North Forest' plan for converting 28 acres of the former Manresa peninsula into a public-access ecological park. The presentation described trails, an entry road and 44-space parking lot, three ecological “pockets” including an outdoor classroom, and limited importation of materials needed to create the planned grades.

Project staff acknowledged the site's history of coal-ash fill and described a stewardship-permit process with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Civil engineer Andrew White said stormwater features will use porous pavement, rain gardens with impermeable liners and underdrain systems and hydrodynamic separators to treat runoff without infiltrating the contaminated soils. Presenters said detailed engineered controls and groundwater mitigation are being developed separately under DEEP stewardship-permit processes and will be returned to the commission in later phases.

Commissioners pressed the applicants on specific contamination risks (nickel, cadmium, arsenic reported in prior documents), the depth to groundwater, and whether proposed works could affect existing plumes beneath the site. Presenters replied that engineered controls are in progress with DEEP, asserted compliance with the city drainage manual for coastal sites, and committed to bringing subsequent phases and remediation plans back to the commission for review.

Commissioner Chris moved that the commission find the referral consistent with the harbor management plan and forward a positive recommendation to Planning & Zoning ahead of P&Z’s public hearing; the motion was seconded and passed. Commissioners reiterated they expect to review future permit phases and engineered-control details as they appear before the city and DEEP.