Introduction
Nobody wants to experience this when you open your mailbox and see a letter from the Trumbull Inland Wetlands Commission. All you wanted to do was trim the weeds in the backwoods, but now, you have to pay fines and pass an expensive legal maze. This panic is familiar among homeowners along Old Sawmill Road and Pinewood Lake. The harsh 100-foot Upland Review Area rules may seem daunting, yet they do not need to halt your dream yard plans. All you should do is have someone familiar with the rules. At TG’s Landscaping, we offer award-winning backyard designs that are beautiful and in line with town requirements and your tastes and preferences.
What is the Trumbull “100-Foot Upland Review Area”?
In case you have ever lived beside the streams or wetlands in Trumbull, you may have heard about it, but not everyone understands it.
No worries, because we’ll explain it. The 100-Foot Upland Review Area is a secured zone that extends in the outer way from the edge of a watercourse or wetland. Every single activity in this area is carefully monitored because even a minor change can impact the quality of water, wildlife habitat, and flooding.
Defining “Regulated Activities” (It’s More Than Just Building)
A lot of people think that rules relevant to wetlands only apply to high-level construction projects. But it’s not true because regulated activities aren’t just limited to a simple addition or building one home.
In Trumbull, regulated activities include:
- Regarding the soil.
- Clearing brush.
- Installation of patios or walkways.
- Addition of retaining walls.
- Widening driveways.
- Changing the patterns of drainage.
Why is the Pequonnock River Watershed Protected?
Do you know that most of Trumbull drains into the Pequonnock River Watershed? It’s a natural system that helps control the stormwater and save the environment. Wetlands behave like natural filters, which slow down the flow of water and also help prevent pollutants from entering lakes or rivers.
Removal of the vegetation or disturbance of the soil surrounding the wetlands can contribute to the washing of the water system with the help of chemicals and sediments. That’s why Trumbull has stricter rules than other surrounding towns.
Local Regulation Alert: The 100-Foot Rule
Did you know? When your land falls within 100 feet of a wetland like the tributaries that serve the Pequonnock River, streams that wind around the Tashua neighborhoods, etc. You are in the Upland Review Area. You will likely have to seek the approval of the Trumbull Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) before you can have a patio, brush clearing, or even a culvert for your driveway. There is no need to panic about paperwork. We are experts in the navigation of Trumbull regulations. We are fully aware of what native plants the commission is ready to sanction to develop conforming mitigation buffers so that you can get the green light without the nightmare.
The Permit Process: Going Through the IWWC
This process can be confusing, especially for beginners. But if you understand it correctly, it’ll become easy for you to deal with it.
“Agent Approval” vs. Full Commission Hearing: Which Do You Need?
Some smaller or low-impact projects can easily qualify for the agent approval. It’s then reviewed by the wetlands agents in the town instead of the full commission. This level of approval is often quick and involves less paperwork.
For the bigger projects or ones that are closely located to wetlands, they need to be monitored by the full commission, where the plans are checked in a public meeting. Don’t worry, as this doesn’t mean your project will get denied, it simply shows the need for a higher-level review.
You have to be sure about what will be taken by your project because this is where a lot of homeowners make mistakes.
How TG’s Landscaping Handles Your Site Plan & Maps
We don’t make guesses to handle everything. Our team prepares the detailed site plans, finds out about the wetland boundaries, and designs landscapes that are well aligned with IWWC expectations. Also, our experts have the knowledge to handle it gracefully.
Most people overlook the importance of detailed and well-planned preparation to make the right difference.
Native Plants That Trumbull Wetlands Love (And Allow)
The easiest thing that helps you stay compliant, but without doing anything special, is to pick the plants that are right and best to enhance the beauty of your space. Always keep in mind, native plants are invaluable for the local environment, causing the stabilization of soil. The IWWC supports these plants.
Best Shrubs for Wet Soil: Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra) and Winterberry
Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra) is best which will grow fully in moist soil. It has a fragrant summer bloom, which is best for pollination.
On the other hand, Winterberry is best for the whole year with the bright red berries. These can also bear the cold temperatures.
Trees to Plant: Red Maples and River Birch
Both red maple and river birch are ideal for the wet conditions. They also avoid erosion with strong roots. Also, they help in offering the shade, structure, and long-lasting stability around the wetlands.
Compliant Perennials: Joe Pye Weed and Ferns
Perennials like the Joe Pye Weed and the ferns are best for filling in the buffer areas without needing much maintenance. Also, they make the soil healthy and support the beneficial insects.
Common Mistakes: What NOT to Plant Near Water
Always remember that some mistakes around the wetlands can cost you both environmentally and financially. Most of the time, homeowners make mistakes and then don’t realize that they did something wrong. Some of the mistakes are changing the drainage, planting the wrong species, forceful restoration, clearing of vegetation, or permit violations. These can impact the environment in evil ways, like erosion, pollution in the watercourses, and damage to wildlife in the water.
The “Invasive” List: Why Burning Bush & Barberry Are Banned
Most people aren’t aware that burning bush and barberries are invasive. They spread aggressively and can even crowd out the other native species. If you somehow plant them around the wetlands, you may face removals or violations.
The Dangers of Chemical Fertilizers Near Streams
Pesticides and chemical fertilizers can easily enter the nearby water bodies. Smaller amounts are enough to harm aquatic life. It’s why organic practices and less use of chemical materials are recommended in these areas
Designing a Compliant Mitigation Buffer
An area that is to be left undisturbed, overgrown, or messy is a common misconception of a mitigation buffer. As a matter of fact, a well-planned buffer can improve your property as much as other aspects of your landscape. It is essential to work with the natural conditions rather than struggle against them. The objective of the mitigation buffer in Trumbull is to save the wetland by decelerating water run-off, filtering soils, and filtering pollutants before they reach watercourses in the region. With proper design, the buffer can be a practical and beautiful buffer strip that separates the established lawn and wetlands that are under protection.
Instead of a sharp edge where the lawn abruptly ends, a compliance buffer forms a natural appearance flow. By this means, this strategy will not only satisfy the Trumbull Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, but will also minimize the long-term maintenance problems like erosion, standing water, and plant failures.
Transforming a “Wild” Edge into a Manicured Native Garden
When you layer the already approved trees, shrubs, and perennials, we make sure to create the buffers that are well-maintained and look natural. It helps to soften the edges of the property, improve the privacy, and then blend smoothly in the surroundings while meeting all the required approvals in Trumbull.
FAQs About Trumbull Wetland Landscaping
Does every project near the wetland in Trumbull need a permit?
It’s not the same for all projects. The majority of the occurring activities within the 100-foot Upland Review Area deal with it. Regrading soil, installation of patios, clearing vegetation, or changing the drainage can oftentimes need review by the Trumbull Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission.
How much time will it take to complete the IWWC approval process?
The timelines may vary according to the size of the project or the type of review. Usually, agent approvals are faster, but the full commission hearings can be done in a couple of weeks.
What are the consequences if the work is finished without getting a wetlands permit?
Illegal work practices may attract fines, stop work orders, and compulsory replenishment with the use of approved plants. In other situations, customers have to reverse work done at their cost.
