4.  Site Review and Monitoring

Site Plan Review/Inspection and Monitoring

The Watershed Division monitors and comments on almost every construction project occurring in the watershed. Site monitoring incorporates community outreach, partnership development, and proactive site review. Visits to the sites are made regularly, progress is tracked with field sheets, and entered into a database, regular field meetings with developers occur, and relationships with large companies who develop in the watershed are built. It is crucial that the CWD's interests are incorporated into the planning of major construction projects throughout the watershed in order to insure the following:

• All parties involved are aware that they are working near a water supply;
• No impacts on source-water tributaries and reservoirs will occur as a result of these projects;
• Any improvements to existing conditions will be implemented as a result of these projects. A good example is the Exxon Tank Farm Site where a major cleanup of hazardous waste has occurred, ecological improvements to Stony Brook are occurring, and stormwater from on-site as well as off-site will be treated.

Getting Involved

CWD is notified of new construction in our resource area primarily through the regulatory process. Developers are required to file with the local Conservation Commissions when working in our resource area. Through this process our involvement entails the following:

• Reviewing permits and plans;
• Attending public hearings;
• Attending pre-construction field meetings;
• Regular monitoring of construction progress.

Long-Term Tracking

CWD keeps detailed records of construction-related activities in a database that provides a comprehensive overview of watershed activities. Progress is regularly updated for each project noting any necessary input that the Department must act on in the interests of protecting water quality during, and following construction.

Reservoir Caretakers

Two full time reservoir caretakers cover a seven-day-a-week shift for surveillance, security, facilities maintenance, and assistance with implementing the watershed protection plan. Activities that the CWD has not been notified of through the regulatory process are usually discovered by the reservoir caretakers, thus insuring that the CWD is involved with various projects.