Welcome to the 
Inland Wetlands Commission 
Town of Barkhamsted, CT 
Welcome to the 
Inland Wetlands Commission 
Town of Barkhamsted, CT 

.. Introduction .. Purpose 

Barkhamsted is a residential community 
located in Litchfield County, 15 miles 
northwest of Hartford. Our population is 
3,620 on over 39 square miles of 
beautiful countryside and reservoir area. 

Office: 

Barkhamsted Town Hall 
67 Ripley Hill Road 
Pleasant Valley, CT 06063-0558 

Telephone: 

860-379-1314 

Bulding and Zoning Hours: 

Building & Zoning Office: 
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9-4 
Wednesday: 10-6 
Friday: 9-12 

The Wetlands Enforcement Officer is 
often in the field doing inspections. It is 
suggested to call before stopping in if 
you want to talk to the Wetlands 
Enforcement Officer. 

Wetlands Enforcement Officer: 

Debbie Brydon

Scheduled Meetings: 

First Tuesday of the month 

These guidelines, designed as questions 
and answers, were developed to assist 
applicants through the application and 
permitting process of the Inland 
Wetlands Commission, Town of 
Barkhamsted. 

This brochure provides a simple 
understanding of the Inland Wetlands 
review process. Please refer to the Town 
of Barkhamsted Inland Wetlands and 
Watercourses Regulations, Revised 
January 1998 for full details, applicability 
and requirements. 

Your understanding and compliance with 
application procedures can streamline 
the process and help you avoid any 
unnecessary delays. Following these 
guidelines does not guarantee the 
approval of an application or the granting 
of a permit. The final resolution of any 
questions or conflicting statements will 
be the Inland Wetlands and 
Watercourses Regulations: Town of 
Barkhamsted, and the Inland Wetlands 
and Watercourses Act of 1974 . 

In this guide, the word “Commission” 
refers to the Barkhamsted Inland 
Wetlands Commission. The acronym 
“WEO” refers to the Wetlands 
Enforcement Officer. The Town has a 
Wetlands and Conservation Inspector 
who inspects property for permitted 
activities, enforces the Inland Wetlands 
and Watercourses Regulations (IWWR) 
of the Town. 

If you have any questions regarding 
these procedures, please call the 
Wetlands Enforcement Officer or the 
Building and Zoning Office 
Administrator at (860) 379-1314. 

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 .. Basic Information 

Commission: 

The Inland Wetlands Commission is the Town's only land use agency that is mandated and 
empowered by the State of Connecticut to enforce the Inland Wetlands Act (sections 22a-36 and 
22a-45 inclusive) of the Connecticut General Statutes as amended. Commission members, 
appointed by the Board of Selectmen, serve terms of two years during which they participate in 
ongoing training and educational programs intended to aid in the understanding and execution 
of their duties. 

Permits and Exemptions: 

Landowners, contractors and land use professionals are advised to familiarize themselves 
with the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations: Town of Barkhamsted regarding 
activity in and around our wetlands and watercourses and to secure the proper permits and 
approvals before commencing any regulated activity. 
Regulated activities include but are not limited to: polluting, clearing, removal of vegetated 
understory or stream cover, grubbing, grading, paving, excavating, filling, constructing, 
installing or repairing septic systems, depositing or removing material, diverting or obstructing 
water flow and discharging storm water within 100 feet of a wetland or watercourse. Also 
subject to review and regulation are activities to be undertaken in upland areas which have a 
potential for affecting a wetland or water-course. 

Permitted as-of-right and non-regulated uses in and around our watercourses and wetlands are 
very limited and narrow in scope. Therefore it is prudent, and often necessary, to obtain a 
declaration of exemption from the commission or its duly authorized agent, prior to 
conducting any such activity. Some permitted as-of-right and non-regulated uses include 
certain farming and agricultural activities, boat mooring or anchorage. Uses incidental to the 
enjoyment and maintenance of residential property are permitted, but shall not include 
removal or deposition of significant amounts of material from or in wetlands or watercourses. 

Permitting Process: 

Permit Applications and Applications for Exemption are available in the Barkhamsted Building 

& Zoning Department and must be submitted to the Commission no later than 3 days before 

the next scheduled meeting. To avoid delay, or possible denial, please be sure to complete 

both the Town Application and the (green) DEP Activity Reporting Form and include the 

appropriate fees. See the Application Fees in the Regulations. 

Agents representing the landowner must have a letter of authorization from the owner. Note: 
An ink signature is required on the application and on any agent authorization letters. The 
commission must allow a waiting period of 14 days (from the official date of receipt) before 
acting on a Permit Application. Exemptions do not require a waiting period. Generally the 
permitting process is completed within 65 days, however, complex projects, review by 
experts and public hearings, if necessary, may require more time. 

The Inland Wetlands Commission regards all violations of its regulations as serious and has 
several avenues of redress available to it in dealing with such cases. Violators - both the 
landowner and his agent(s) -are subject to enforcement actions and orders. 

Please, help us protect and preserve our Town's and our State's precious water resources by 
understanding and upholding The Inland Wetland and Watercourses Regulations. 

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 Question and Answers 
Q When do I need to make an application for an Inland Wetlands Permit? 

A. When the proposed activity is in, or within 100 feet of a wetland or 
watercourse, or 
B. 
When the proposed activity is outside the 100-foot area, but has the 
potential to adversely affect or impact wetlands or watercourses down 
slope. 
Q What defines a wetland or watercourse? 

A. 
Connecticut’s definition of wetland are based on soil characteristics. 
The soil type of wetlands are poorly drained, very poorly drained, 
alluvial, and floodplain. Wetlands may not always appear wet. For 
example floodplain soils are considered wetlands regardless of drainage 
class. Areas disturbed by human activities and are no longer in their 
natural state, may also be classified as wetlands due to their soil 
characteristics. Identifying wetlands by soils allow us to identify 
wetlands during times of drought when there is no surface water 
present, or during winter when characteristics wetland indicator plants 
may not be obvious, 
B. 
Watercourses mean rivers, streams, brooks, waterways, lakes, ponds, 
marshes, swamps, bogs, and all other bodies of water, natural or 
artificial, vernal or intermittent, public or private, which are contained 
within, flow through, or border the lands of the Barkhamsted township. 
C. The Department of Environmental Protection has a lot of information 
that defines what a wetlands is. Approximately 17% of Connecticut's 
land area is comprised of wetlands. www.ct.gov/dep 
Q How do I determine whether I have regulated wetlands or watercourses on 
or near my property? 

A. 
You should first consult the map entitled Official Inland Wetlands and 
Watercourses Map, Barkhamsted,Connecticut. This map delineates the 
general location and boundaries of inland wetlands and watercourses in 
Barkhamsted, and is available for inspection in the office of the Town 
Clerk. The map is only a guide and may not be accurate in all instances. 
B. 
The surest way to determine the extent of wetlands and watercourses on 
your property is to have a Certified Soil Scientist (CSS) make a field 
inspection and/or take soil samples, and enter his findings clearly on 
your property map. You should forward the findings to the Commission 
on the official letterhead showing the name and address of the CSS, his 
signature, and seal. Since this information is required for most 
applications, you may want to bring it to the Commission's attention as 
part of the pre-application process. 
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C. 
You may contact the WEO, who at your request or the request of the 
Zoning Commission, will make a site visit to ascertain any site 
conditions which could relate to wetlands or watercourses on or off your 
property. The WEO will report her findings to you, the Inland Wetlands 
Commission, and the Zoning Commission. See Note 
Note: The Zoning Commission, to whom all applications for land use or construction 
activities must be referred, may decide to request the opinion and/or approval of the 
Inland Wetlands Commission before considering an application where wetlands and/or 
watercourses are believed to exist. 

Q What is required if I do not have wetlands or watercourses on or near my 
property or if the work I propose to do is of no consequence to the 
wetlands 

A. 
When, through any of the above steps, it has been determined that 
there are no wetlands or watercourses on your property, or that the 
proposed activity will have no, or marginal impact, on existing wetlands 
and/or watercourses, the Commission or the WEO, acting as its Agent, 
may make a decision that no application is necessary. In some 
circumstances, you may be asked to provide the Commission written 
confirmation, from a CSS, that no wetlands or watercourses exist on 
your property or near the proposed activity. Such confirmation should 
include the name and address of the property owner, date of testing, 
name and address of the CSS, his signature, and seal. 
Q What if I do have wetlands or watercourses on my property and need to 
ascertain whether the Commission has jurisdiction over my proposed 
activity? 

A. Consult the WEO who can be reached by calling 860-370-1314 and 
make an appointment. The WEO can advise you as to whether your 
activity is regulated and requires a permit, or in some cases can make a 
declaratory ruling that a permit is not required. 
B. 
In some cases the WEO may recommend that you come to the 
Commission for pre-application advice. If so, stop in the Planning & 
Zoning Office and fill out a request form. You will be placed on the 
agenda of the Commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting, or given 
an alternative date if additional time is required. In either case, bring a 
map of the property, indicating the location of wetlands and / or 
watercourses, and a description of the proposed property activity. 
There is no charge for pre-application advice, and it often helps delays 
in the application process. 
5 

 .. Question and Answers (continued) 

Q How do I become better acquainted with the Inland Wetlands 

Regulations? 

A. A copy of the Barkhamsted Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Regulations, 
Town of Barkhamsted is available for examination in the Planning & 
Zoning Office. Copies are available at a cost of $10.00. 
Q How do I apply for an Inland Wetlands Permit? 

A. Obtain and complete the following application forms from the 
Barkhamsted Planning & Zoning Office 
1. Town of Barkhamsted Inland Wetlands Application for a 
Permit. Note: The application form MUST be signed by the property 
owner of record, in ink, regardless of whether or not someone else 
is acting as an agent for the owner. 
2. Statewide (DEP) Inland Wetlands Activity Reporting Form. If you 
need assistance contact the Land Use Office prior to the scheduled 
meeting. 
Note: The Commission will not consider incomplete applications. 

B. 
Present the completed applications and all attachments to the Land Use 
Secretary (or leave in the office) along with: 
1. 
One check payable to the Town of Barkhamsted and including: 
a) The basic application fee of $50.00. 
b) Plus an additional fee of $60.00 required by the DEP, State 
of Connecticut. 

c) 
Plus any additional fees as indicated on the fee schedule. See 
Section 19.5 of the Barkhamsted Inland Wetlands And 
Watercourses Regulations. 

2. 
Agent Authorization - Anyone acting as an agent for the property 
owner MUST have a written letter of authorization, signed and dated 
by the property owner. 
Q How is my application processed? 

A. Once you bring your completed application and all supporting materials 
to the Planning & Zoning Office, the Land Use Secretary will: 
1. 
Date stamp each item received, noting 14*days and 65*days from 
“date of receipt” of your application. 
* State statutes require that the Commission wait 14 days after an 
application is received before acting on it, and that the Commission 
must act on the application within 65 days after it is received unless 
an extension is requested by the applicant and approved by the 
Commission. 
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2. 
Create a folder labeled with your name, street and application 
number, and containing all of the forms, maps, and other data 
received. 
B. 
The WEO will then: 
1. 
Review the application and supporting materials, in the folder, for 
completeness and note any omissions. 
2. 
If time and conditions permit, the WEO will review the site, 
discuss the project with the applicant and/or applicant's agent, 
and request any additional information the WEO deems necessary 
for the Commission's review. 
3. 
The WEO will summarize the findings and recommendations, 
including notices of omissions, in a report to the Commission. 
C. The secretary adds completed applications to the agenda of the next 
regularly scheduled meeting, following the day the application is received, 
for its initial review or pre-application 
review. 
D. 
You and/or your designated agent should appear before the Commission on 
the date your application is to be reviewed. You should be ready to answer 
any questions that might arise regarding your application. If additional 
information or data is required, the Commission will inform you or your 
designated agent, and request that it be submitted prior to or at the next 
regularly scheduled meeting. 
E. 
If the Commission feels that a Public Hearing, on your application, is 
warranted, you will be informed and a date for the hearing will be set. 
F. 
The Commission may schedule a site visit to visually inspect the property 
and wetlands/watercourses involved. You and/or your designated agent are 
encouraged to attend the site visit to answer any questions that may arise. 
Note: Site visits are "noticed" and are open to the public under the Freedom 
of Information Act. A Site Inspection Report will be written, formally 
accepted at the next Commission meeting and become part of the 
application file. 
G. 
Once all the questions have been answered satisfactorily at a Public Hearing, 
and the required data and maps presented, the Commission will discuss the 
proposed application at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Following the 
discussion, a motion will be made to approve or deny the permit application. 
The motion may carry with it certain conditions for approval. A vote is taken 
and may be carried by a simple majority of the members seated. 
H. You will be notified at the meeting, and formally by letter, of the decision of 
the Commission. 
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Town of Barkhamsted, CT 
Inland Wetlands Commission Guide 

February, 2009