7.1 Prior to the submission of a final application, any person may submit a preliminary proposal, in writing to the Commission for discussion only. The submission of a preliminary application will adhere to the same fee schedule as a final application. However, the amount of information and detail may be waived depending upon the activity. The submission of a preliminary application is only for the purpose of seeking the Commission's advice and guidance with respect to the general feasibility of the proposed activity.
7.2 Any person wishing to undertake a regulated activity shall apply for a permit on a form entitled "City of Shelton Inland Wetlands Watercourses Agency - Application for Permit". An application shall include an application form and such information as prescribed by Section 7.4 and, in -11- the case of a significant activity, by Section 7.5 of these regulations. Application forms may be obtained in the office of the Inland Wetlands Agency.
7.3 All applications shall contain such information that is necessary for a fair and informed determination of the issues.
7.4 The Agency and the applicant may hold a pre-application meeting to determine whether or not the proposed application involves a significant activity. Whenever possible the determination relative to significant activities should be made at the pre-application meeting. The Agency should state the reasons why the activity was deemed significant in writing.
7.5 All applications shall include the following information in writing:
a. The applicants name, home and business address, and telephone numbers;
b. The owner's name, address and telephone number and written consent if the applicant is not the owner of the property involved in the application;
c. Applicants interest in the land;
d. The geographical location of the property which is to be affected by the proposed activity, including but not limited to a description of the land in sufficient detail to allow identification of the inland wetlands and watercourses, a computation of the area(s) (in acres) of wetland or watercourse disturbance, soil type(s) and vegetation:
e. The purpose and a description of the proposed activity
f. Alternatives considered by the applicant and why the proposal to alter wetlands set forth in the application was chosen;
g. A site plan showing existing and proposed conditions in relation to wetlands and watercourses;
h. Names and addresses of adjacent property owners;
1. Certification that the applicant is familiar with all the information provided in the application and is aware of the penalties for obtaining a permit through deception or through inaccurate or misleading information;
j. Authorization for the commissioners, specialists used by the Commission to evaluate permit applications, and agents of the Agency to inspect the property, at reasonable times, both before and after a final decision has been issued;
k. Any other information the Agency deems necessary to the understanding of what the applicant is proposing;
l. Submission of the appropriate filing fee based on the fee schedule established in Section 18 of these regulations.
7.6 If the proposed activity involves a significant activity as determined by the Agency and defined in Section 2.2bb of these regulations, additional information, based on the nature and anticipated effects of the activity, including but not limited to the following is required:
a. Site plans for the proposed use or operation and the property which will be affected, which show existing and proposed conditions, wetland and watercourse boundaries, and contours, boundaries of land ownership, proposed alterations and uses of wetlands and watercourses, and other pertinent features of the development drawn by a licensed surveyor, professional engineer or landscape architect registered in the State of Connecticut or by such other qualified person. The site plan should include the following:
1. Boundary lines, dimensions and area of the property;
2. Locations of all wetlands and watercourses on the property and within 200 feet thereof,
3. Locations and descriptions of proposed activities;
4. Locations and descriptions of all existing and proposed drainage features (e.g., culverts, catch basins, etc.):
5. Elevations at two foot contour intervals in all areas of the property within 100 feet of a wetland or watercourses and at five foot contour intervals throughout the remainder of of the property,
6. Proposed grading by two-foot contours of any moved material;
7. Final topography after the removal or deposition of substantial materials;
8. Locations of all boring and soil samples data obtained by a soil scientist.
9. Areas where material will be deposited or removed;
10. Boundaries of the applicants land with names and addresses of all adjoining landowners;
11. All construction within a watercourse;
12. Significant vegetation which has one or more of the following functions; erosion control, wildlife habitat or recreational significance:
13. The requirements for contour information under Section 7.6.a.5 and 7.6.a.6 may be waived or modified by the commission if it determines such information is not necessary to properly evaluate the impact of the proposed activity.
b. Engineering reports and analyses and additional drawings to fully describe the proposed project and any filling, excavation, drainage or hydraulic modifications to watercourses.
c. Soil sample report prepared and certified by a soil scientist which thoroughly describes the soil types and is keyed to the soil sample locations shown on any map prepared in accordance with 7.6.a.
d. Mapping of soil types consistent with the categories established by the National Cooperative Soil Survey of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. The Agency may require to have the wetlands delineated in the field by a soil scientist and that the field delineation be incorporated onto the site plans and that the delineation label the numbered soil scientists boundary flags.
e. Description of the ecological communities and functions of the wetlands or watercourses involved with the application and the effects of the proposed regulated activities on these communities and wetland functions. The applicant should include a discussion of vegetation, habitat value of the area for wildlife species, and depth of water table or level of water if inundated.
f. Description of how the applicant will change, diminish, or enhance the ecological communities and functions of the wetlands or watercourses involved in the application, and with each alternative, and a description of why each alternative considered was deemed neither feasible nor prudent.
g. Analysis of chemical or physical characteristics of any fill material in terms of.
1. volume, in cubic yards;
2. nature of materials (e.g., sand, gravel, loam, building materials, etc.):
3. precise chemical composition of any toxic materials;
4. explanation of how materials will be protected from erosion or leaching.
h. Measures which mitigate the impact of the proposed activity. Such measures include, but are not limited to, plans or actions which avoid destruction or diminution of wetland or watercourse functions, recreational uses and natural habitats which prevent flooding, degradation of water quality, erosion and sedimentation and obstruction of drainage, or which otherwise safeguard water resources.
7.7 The applicant shall certify whether any portion of the property on which the regulated activity is proposed is located within 500 feet of the boundary of an adjoining municipality.
7.8 Ten (10) copies of all application materials shall be submitted to comprise a complete application of as is otherwise directed, in writing, by the Inland Wetlands Agency.
7.9 Any application to extend the expiration date of a previously issued permit or amend an existing permit shall be filed with the agency at least sixty-five (65) days prior to the expiration date of the permit in accordance with subsections 7.5 through 7.9 of these Regulations. Any application for amendment renewal, or extension shall be made in accordance with this Section provided:
a. The Application may incorporate by reference the documentation and record of the original application.
b. The application shall state the reason why the authorized activities were not initiated or completed within the time specified in the permit.
c. The application shall describe any changes in facts or circumstances involved with or affecting wetlands or watercourses or the property for which the permit was issued.
d. The Agency may accept an untimely application to the extend the expiration date of a permit if the authorized activity is ongoing and allow the continuation of work beyond the expiration date if in its judgment, the permit is likely to be extended and the public interest or environment will be best served by not interrupting the activity. The application shall describe the extent of work completed at the time of filing and the schedule for completing the activities authorized in the permit.
e. The Agency shall evaluate the application pursuant to Section 10 of these Regulations and grant the application as filed, grant it with any terms or limitations, or deny it.
