Sandisfield Property Owner Penalized $12,000 for Work in Wetlands
Sandisfield - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) assessed a $12,000 penalty to Jason E. Pisani, owner of property at 40 Viets Road, Sandisfield for undertaking work within protected wetland and stream areas without obtaining prior approval from the Sandisfield Conservation Commission.MassDEP, while responding to a request for assistance from the Sandisfield Conservation Commission concerning turbid waters in the West Branch of the Farmington River, observed a large and recent forestry clearing at the site on August 3, 2007. An inspection of the site revealed an extensive 25-acre forestry clear-cut along with site grading.
The observed work had taken place without a prior filing of a Notice of Intent as required and prior issuance of an Order of Conditions by the Town of Sandisfield Conservation Commission as required under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act.
“The permitting process is in place to prevent detrimental impacts to important resources such as wetlands from occurring,” said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield. “Unfortunately, protective measures were not implemented in this case, resulting in destabilization of the site, which led to erosion of sediment, and direct alteration of a wetland and stream banks.”
As part of a settlement agreement with MassDEP, Mr. Pisani has agreed to stabilize the site and restore impacted wetland and stream areas and to pay $6,000 of the penalty. MassDEP will suspend the remaining $6,000 of the penalty contingent upon full compliance with the requirement to stabilize the site and restore all impacted wetland and stream areas.
MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.
