CACIWC's Environmental Conference
and Annual Meeting

PROGRAM, WORKSHOPS & REGISTRATION

CACIWC will again host a day-long series of workshops for conservation and inland wetlands commissioners and staff. The workshops are organized into four tracks:

A. 1-3 Open Space/Resource Conservation

B. 1-3 Wetlands Protection

C. 1-3 Science & Technology

D. 1-3 Advanced: For Experienced Commissioners

Track D includes advanced workshops and Wetlands Agent Session

 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE, DESCRIPTION AND REGISTRATION

Brochure contains program schedule and registration form that can be downloaded. Please be sure to fill out form completely, including workshop preferences. In response to requests two advanced technical workshops are offered for experienced inland wetland commissioners. See Workshops D.1 and D.3 in Brochure. An inaugural session specifically tailored for inland wetland agents is also offered. See Workshop D.2 in Brochure

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS CACIWC’s
2008 Annual Achievement Awards

CACIWC is seeking nominations for our Annual Recognition Awards. These prestigious awards, presented at the CACIWC Annual Meeting and Environmental Conference, Saturday, November 8, 2008, honor those individuals and commissions who have made outstanding contributions toward resource protection and environmental awareness in your community while meeting the responsibilities outlined in state and local legislation.

Award categories include:

• A Conservation Commissioner of the Year. This award will be given to a present or past Commissioner who has made a real difference to her/his Commission and the community.
• An Inland Wetland Commissioner of the Year. This award will be given to a present or past Commissioner who has made a real difference to her/his Commission and the community.
• An outstanding Commission Administrator/Agent or other staff person. This person is recognized for their significant effort to assist and guide the commission in carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
• A Commission award for both Conservation and Inland Wetlands recognizes commissions for significant accomplishments recently and over time.

Be alert to accomplishments such as: building an effective Commission; increasing efficiency of operations, hearings, and meetings; writing and passing updated regulations; effective communication with other local land use agencies; enforcing the CT Wetlands Act; spearheading important land acquisition; developing land-management tools and plans; and completing significant local projects. We are sure there are many other accomplishments that can be included.

We urge you to take this opportunity to recognize your colleagues and your commission if they have been responsible for significant activities leading to environmental awareness and natural resource protection in your community.

Please read the nomination form carefully and submit the information required.

If you have previously nominated a commissioner or commission that did not receive an award please consider submitting it again.

Click here for a pdf Awards Nomination Form that you can down load. To fill out a form on-line contact Tom ODell at todell@snet.net.

Expanded Workshop Descriptions

SESSION 1

Smart, sustainable, responsible growth: What’s new in CT
Heidi Green, 1000 Friends of CT

A discussion of ongoing policy and legislative activity on smart growth including transportation initiatives, planning, land use policies, regulations and zoning reform. Fiscal issues and regional governance issues will also be included together with Brownfields, Responsible Growth, DECD’s economic strategy, a new DOT commissioner and more.

What’s New in 2008: Caselaw, legislative and regulatory update
Janet Brooks, D’Aquila & Brooks; Mark Branse, Branse, Willis & Knapp; David Wrinn, CT AG’s office

Get an up to date briefing on the latest developments in wetlands cases and legislative proposals from three experienced wetlands attorneys. Half of the session will be devoted to your questions.

This workshop is relevant to members of Inland Wetlands commissions who want to/need to stay abreast of recent developments of the law. Emphasis will be placed on the impact to agency decision making. While beginners will benefit, this workshop is meant to build on a base of knowledge, and as such is an advanced offering.

New online resources for wetlands and conservation commissioners
John Rozum & Emily Wilson, NEMO & CLEAR

This workshop will offer demonstrations of several online interactive mapping tools and new stormwater management resources available on the CLEAR and NEMO websites. These tools were designed to assist commission members plan, evaluate and implement better stormwater management and land use planning strategies.

Identifying and implementing new ways to encourage environmentally sensitive development is a key goal for many Connecticut communities. Though town officials understand why this is important, many are perplexed by the planning and implementation of these new strategies. The NEMO program and its CLEAR affiliates have developed a number of online tools and resources that can help towns move forward with implementing more sustainable land use practices. These new tools will be demonstrated in a live, interactive format that is easily accessible, yet extremely powerful and useful to even experienced CC and IWC members.

What to look for when evaluating stormwater management reports and design calculations
Erik Mas & Phil Moreschi (Fuss & O’Neill)

Geared to experienced commission members this workshop will cover which design investigations, materials and reports they should expect and request during the application process. Information presented will include scour/erosion computations, peak rate attenuation, stormwater volume management, groundwater recharge, site plan requirements and more.

A stormwater management report and design calculations are required of virtually all local land development applications. However, there exists a large disparity in the format, content and quality of these submittals to local land use agencies, leaving the agencies with the difficult task of determining the adequacy and reliability of the submitted information. The requirements of Planning and Zoning commissions may only be concerned with stormwater peak flows, while the Inland Wetlands Commission/Agency should also be concerned about stormwater volume and stormwater quality as recommended by the CT Stormwater Quality Manual. This workshop will provide Inland Wetlands and Conservation Commission members with the following information:

• Recommended minimum contents of a Stormwater Management Report;
• Specific calculations that must be performed and other information that must be submitted to document compliance with local and state stormwater standards, including for example:
  • Computations to show that discharge does not cause scour or erosion;
  • Peak rate attenuation;
  • Stormwater volume management;
  • Groundwater recharge including field soil evaluation methods, required recharge volume, sizing by static and dynamic methods, 72-hour drawdown analysis, and mounding analysis;
  • Required water quality volume and associated compliance calculations.
• Site plan requirements
• Access requirements and
• Operation and maintenance plan requirements.

Attendees of this workshop should be familiar with the CT Stormwater Quality Manual and the regulatory requirements of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Protection Act. Materials will include real-world examples from land development projects throughout Connecticut.

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Session 2

Habitat Based Management Planning
Juliana Barrett CT Sea Grant; John Rozum, CT NEMO

The workshop will address the habitat management planning needs of town open space properties and will provide a framework for the documentation of background information and a methodology to determine management actions, based on habitat, needed for the long term conservation of a particular site.

Many municipalities have acquired large portfolios of properties that are now permanently protected. Even though the land is protected from future development, surrounding land use pressures, invasive species or natural succession can cause drastic changes to these properties. Management of these areas is often necessary to maintain or improve particular habitats or to manage for specific species. This workshop will offer a habitat based management planning approach as the next critical step, following acquisition, to protect the ecological value of these lands.

The workshop will focus on the identification and management of common habitats found in Connecticut. With this information towns can develop realistic land management plans based on the ecological characteristics and values of the landscape. Freely available GIS (Geographic Information System) tools will be described that can significantly aid in the identification of habitats and the development of the management plan. Case studies will be used throughout the workshop to illustrate how to locate information and develop the plan.

Exemptions in the Wetlands Act: To regulate or not to regulate
Janet P. Brooks, D’Aquila & Brooks

Is your wetlands agency navigating correctly between regulated and exempt activities? This workshop will explore the substantive and procedural aspects of decision making for exemptions.

Examples will be cited based on first hand involvement in a number of towns and will cover various types of exemptions. Flaws in agency decision making (both as to procedure and substance) will be reviewed, and the proper procedures and usage will be enumerated.

Evaluating CT land cover data and land use regulations within riparian areas
Kate Woodruff, Emily Wilson & Chester Arnold, UCONN CLEAR

See results from CLEAR’s completed statewide analysis of updated land cover data (1985-2006) within 100, 200 and 300 feet of perennial waterways. “Hot spots” of greatest change were identified, and town scale data was used to investigate the relationship of changes in buffer vegetation with local regulatory practices.

CLEAR’s updated “Changing Landscape” land cover data was used to assess the status of Connecticut’s riparian areas in 2006 and to document changes in these areas dating back to 1985. This analysis was a statewide expansion of a previously completed Long Island Sound buffer analysis by Emily Wilson and Chester Arnold and relates the land cover data to each of the 169 town “Upland Review Zones.”

Agents Forum (for Municipal Inland Wetlands Agents ONLY)
Darcy Winther, Steve Tessitore, CT DEP IWRD

This will be the inaugural year of a session specifically tailored to municipal wetlands agents. The session will begin with an informal “meet and greet” followed by a brief DEP presentation. The session will wrap up with an extended open discussion of issues and concerns with colleagues and DEP.

With enough interest, this session will be repeated annually at CACIWC’s conference, and the subject matter will evolve as the issues continue to be identified by the individuals serving as municipal Inland Wetlands agents. This session will provide a rare opportunity for agents from across the state to share their experiences (successes and otherwise) and to offer feedback to DEP as well as to shape the content of future sessions. Please attend so you can share your ideas and concerns.

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Session 3

Championing agriculture in local planning
Jiff Martin, American Farmland Trust

This workshop, based on the recently published guide CT Guide to Planning for Agriculture, will explore the tools available to municipal leaders to plan a future for agriculture in their community. Examples will be provided of steps taken by many communities and will also discuss farming activities that fall within the exemption from wetlands and watercourse regulation.

A broad range of options that promote agriculture will be reviewed. The workshop will identify common issues that can impact the viability of agriculture and will conclude with a discussion of how a community can proactively plan for agriculture including how commission members can identify local leaders to champion agriculture in local planning. The Connecticut Guide to Planning for Agriculture will be provided to each participant.

River friendly stream crossing design – Have you hugged your engineer today?
Shelley Green & Adam Whelchel, The Nature Conservancy

There is growing recognition that inadequately designed culverts and bridges can pose a significant challenge to river systems and species. This workshop will cover river-friendly design for stream crossings and share lessons learned in working with local departments of public works on road construction and maintenance practices.

As long linear ecosystems, rivers are important for fish and wildlife movement, and yet are vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. Fortunately, significant advances have been made in understanding how to design and install road-stream crossings that balance the need to provide safe and stable infrastructure with the need to maintain continuity in river systems and to facilitate the movement of fish and wildlife.

Workshop participants will gain a basic understanding of why connectedness is so important for river systems and will learn the fundamentals of effective stream crossing design principles. Inland Wetlands commission members should interact and educate their municipal engineering and/or public works staff regarding the importance and complexity of river systems as well as design and installation of river-friendly structures. Town engineering and public works staff will join the discussion of how to build a collaborative relationship with these key departments.

Organic Fertilization: Greening your lawn without greening your waterway
Scott Reil, SafeLawns and Landscapes LLC

This workshop will provide an overview of organic culture of lawn and landscape, with an emphasis on reducing chemical fertilizers (in particular phosphorus) and pesticide use (especially those that possess long term residuals i.e. 2-4-D) that directly affects local water quality. A live demonstration of microbiology in a liquid compost extract is included.

How to evaluate the appropriate use and effectiveness of proprietary stormwater treatment systems
Erik Mas & Phil Moreschi , Fuss & O’Neill

Geared to experienced commission members, this workshop will provide a process to assess when and how proprietary systems are appropriate. Evaluation of system sizing, pollutant removal rates and efficiency will be covered as will operation and maintenance requirements.

Inland Wetlands commissions are faced with the daunting task of reviewing and approving the use of a wide variety of proprietary stormwater treatment systems that are being proposed for use in land development projects. The performance of the vast majority of these technologies has not been verified through independent field testing using rigorous test methods or protocols, relying instead on manufacturer’s performance claims.

This workshop will provide Inland Wetlands commission members with the following information:

• The appropriate applications and manner in which these systems may be used based on the current guidance in the CT DEP Stormwater Quality Manual;
• A recommended process that local agencies may follow to evaluate the appropriate use of such systems;
• Specific information that should be submitted with an application to support the proposed use of the systems;
• How local agencies can understand the pollutant removal rates of such systems and how efficient the system will be for a proposed use;
• Where to find third-party information about these systems describing their effectiveness, typical uses and performance verification results;
• Guidance for evaluating the effectiveness of proprietary systems;
• Operation and maintenance requirements.

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Workshop Leaders - Biographical Information

Chester Arnold, UConn Center for Land use Education And Research (CLEAR)

Mr. Arnold is a Water Quality Educator for the University of Connecticut Department of Extension, and the Associate Director of UConn’s CLEAR, established in 2002. Since 1991 Mr. Arnold has been Co-Director of the NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) program, a national award-winning effort that uses remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) technology to educate local land use decision makers about the relationship between land use and water resource protection.

Mr. Arnold has a B.S. in Environmental Sciences from Wesleyan University and a M.S. in Oceanography from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

 

Juliana Barrett, CT Sea Grant

Ms. Barrett is currently working with coastal communities on habitat identification, conservation and restoration. She has lectured extensively throughout Connecticut and is the co-author of the Vegetation of Connecticut. Ms. Barrett holds a PhD in Plant Ecology from the University of Connecticut.

Mark Branse, Branse, Willis and Knapp, LLC

Mr. Branse is an attorney in private practice.

 

Janet Brooks, D’Aquila & Brooks, LLC

Ms. Brooks is an attorney in private practice.

 

Heidi Green, 1000 Friends of Connecticut

Ms. Green joined 1000 Friends of Connecticut (a smart growth education and advocacy organization) as its first staff President in the fall of 2005. She has worked in community development and affordable housing for 16 years in Connecticut with the Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund, the Connecticut Housing Coalition, and Communities Opportunity Group, Inc.

Ms. Green is a graduate of Trinity College (Hartford, CT) and is a former Mansfield Conservation Commissioner.

 

Shelley Green, The Nature Conservancy

Ms. Green is the Director of TNC’s Lower Connecticut River Program. Particularly focused on conservation planning, Ms. Green works with a wide range of partners to conserve the Salmon River watershed, Meshomasic forest and floodplain forests and tiger beetle habitat along the Connecticut River.

Ms. Green holds an undergraduate degree from Indiana University and a master’s from Yale’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

 

Jiff Martin, American Farmland Trust

Ms. Martin is AFT’s New England Field Representative based in Windsor, CT. For almost five years she has directed all activities of the Working Lands Alliance (WLA), a statewide coalition working to educate the general public and public officials about the importance of farmland protection. Ms. Martin is responsible for AFT’s policy and outreach efforts in Connecticut; her time is evenly divided between WLA and furthering farmland preservation in the region.

Ms. Martin received her B.A. from the University of Michigan and has a M.A. in Development Economics from Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy and a M.S. in food Policy from Tufts School of Nutrition.

Erik Mas, Fuss & O’Neill

Mr. Mas is an environmental engineer with a broad range of experience for state, federal, municipal and industrial clients. His background is in hydrology and water resources engineering and his principle areas of expertise include stormwater and watershed management, environmental impact assessment, wetland and natural resource permitting and facility environmental compliance. He served as project manager for the 2004 Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual.

Phil Moreschi, Fuss & O’Neill

Mr. Moreschi is a licensed professional engineer with experience in the civil and environmental engineering fields. As a partner with Fuss & O’Neill, he has been responsible for a wide range of civil and engineering projects. He directs the Water Resources practice at Fuss & O’Neill including stream restoration, lake dredging, watershed management, dam restoration and NEPA/CEPA Environmental Impact Evaluations. He directed the Watershed Management Plan for the Jordan Brook Watershed in Waterford, CT. Mr. Moreschi is also a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), recognized by the Certification Board of Regents of the Association of Floodplain Managers, Inc. (ASFPM).

Scott, Reil, Safe Lawns and Landscapes, LLC

Mr. Reil is a Connecticut accredited Nurseryman and accredited Organic Land Care Professional who has lectured throughout the Northeast and taught Master Gardener courses in Basic and Japanese Garden Design. He is a regular guest host on Garden Talk, Connecticut’s largest radio gardening show and until recently (due to time constraints) was the key contributor and content editor for www.helpfulgardener.com. He lives in Colchester, CT.

John Rozum, CT NEMO

Mr. Rozum is the Director of the Connecticut NEMO program. He delivers workshops and training to Connecticut’s 169 towns and assists them with implementation of land use practices that protect water resources. Mr. Rozum has professional experience in land use planning, scientific research and ecological field science. He has served on his town’s Planning and Zoning commission and the Board of Directors of the East Haddam Land Trust.

Mr. Rozum is a certified planner (AICP) with a M.S. in Land Use Planning and a M.S. in Ecology, both from the University of Arizona.

Steve Tessitore, CT DEP

Mr. Tessitore is a Supervising Environmental Analyst with the Wetlands Management Section of DEP’s Inland Water Resources Division.

Adam Whelchel, The Nature Conservancy

Dr. Whelchel is the Director for Conservation Science for TNC in Connecticut. His 18 year career in the environmental arena has included employment with regulatory agencies such as U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Environmental Division of the U.S. Navy, ecological restoration focused on consulting firms, academic institutions and non-profit organizations such as Point Reyes Bird Observatory. His areas of expertise include applied research and planning to promote biodiversity, impacts of land/coastal development on natural resources, reserve design and management, landscape spatial analysis and ecological response to climate change.

Dr. Whelchel has an undergraduate degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from the University of Vermont and a master’s degree in Conservation Biology from San Francisco State University and a PhD in Wetland Science from the University of Delaware.

 

Emily Wilson, UConn CLEAR

Ms. Wilson is the Geospatial Technology Educator for CLEAR and NEMO. Since joining UConn in 2000, her role has been to provide GIS remote sensing information and support to the NEMO project, the Geospatial Technology program and other related research and outreach efforts. Recently, Ms. Wilson has been the principle technical author of many of NEMO’s and CLEAR’s mapping websites that integrate geospatial and web technology, with the goal of providing easy access to geospatial information and maps.

Ms. Wilson is a graduate of Connecticut College with a B.A. in Environmental Science and Botany. She received a M.S. in Forestry and Remote Sensing from the University of Maine.

Darcy Winther, CT DEP

Ms. Winther is with the Wetlands Management Section of DEP’s Inland Water Resources Division. She coordinates DEP’s annual Inland Wetlands Commissioner Training Program. Ms. Winther serves as a liaison to the CACIWC Board of Directors.

Kate Woodruff, UConn CLEAR

Ms. Woodruff joined the NEMO team in 2007. As a geospatial and land use specialist, she contributes to the GIS remote sensing information and support of various NEMO projects. Her work supports various Low Impact Development (LID), land use management and web endeavors.

Ms. Woodruff is a graduate of UCLA with a B.A. in Political Science, International Relations, focused on transboundary water management with minors in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. Ms. Woodruff was granted a M.E.M. in Water Management, Law and Policy from Yale’s School of Forestry and environmental Studies

David Wrinn, CT Attorney General’s Office

Mr. Wrinn is an Assistant Attorney General in the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office.

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