TU Worries About Future Environmental Impact Of Technology Park

By Dottie Evans

At the same time that local Trout Unlimited members like James Belden are working to preserve the natural trout hatchery, they are looking ahead at what future development in Newtown might do to this irreplaceable resource along Deep Brook where it flows through Fairfield Hills.

Specifically, they are concerned about the eventual construction of a technology park that is planned on 35 acres of open space land set aside for that purpose off Commerce Road.

Once a part of Fairfield Hills’ agricultural land, the parcel was given to the town by the state and has been zoned for economic development. It lies directly north of the Deep Brook Class A Trout Hatchery and access would presumably be from Commerce Road.

“There are so many issues with development there –– such as topography and the higher elevation of the technology park that would lie above the stream leading to storm water runoff problems,” Mr Belden said.

“We are also concerned about possible improvement of the existing road [Old Farm Road] and bridge over Deep Brook that is being considered as a new north-south corridor through town connecting Church Hill Road and Commerce Road to Wasserman Way,” he added.

“How these issues are handled is of great concern to us and we will continue monitoring the situation. I know that the Conservation Commission and the Open Space Committee are looking it this as we speak. I also know that some options are better than others. There are ways to achieve a better solution,” he said.

Asked about continual assault on the integrity of the natural trout hatchery, such as the December 2004 oil spill that dumped some 100 gallons of heating oil into Deep Brook below Reed Intermediate School, Mr Belden had this to say: “Thank goodness it was winter. That event was one more example that the potential for environmental harm is always lurking. No one realizes the danger that is there until after something happens. We have to realize most underground tanks and pipes leak to some degree.”

When development does come to parcels of land adjacent to Deep Brook, Mr Belden hopes the minimum riparian buffer of 100 feet will be strictly observed –– and he believes a much wider buffer should be set aside where indicated.

“The natural resources arm of the United States Department of Agriculture specifies the 100-foot buffer so the soil can filter out contaminants before polluted water hits a stream. If there are septic fields or if there is active agriculture taking place, there needs to be a buffer of 1,000 feet in order for the contaminants to leach out.

“We’ve also got a significant aquifer under there that needs protecting,” Mr Belden noted.