OMYA's wetlands plans questioned
by Anita Pomerance

Used by Permission
Manchester Journal
August 24, 2001

DANBY -- OMYA's plans to study groundwater on sensitive wetlands next to a proposed quarry in Danby Four Corners is being termed "only a beginning" by state officials.

Vermont ANR hydrogeologist Michael Smith said he was not sure the proposed studies, involving approximately six wells on two properties, would be sufficient.

"[OMYA] needs a whole hydrogeology study," he said. "We need to understand the flow from the quarry site to the fens."

A wetlands report released by Vermont Agency of Natural Resources officials and a hydrogeologist retained by OMYA has led to OMYA asking two adjoining landowners for access to conduct the year-long groundwater studies.

According to OMYA consulting hydrogeologist Eric Hansen, one landowner has granted access, the other has denied it.

Eric Sorenson, ecologist in the ANR Fish and Wildlife Division, characterized the wetland "fens" as of "high state significance" because their alkaline water, unusual in Vermont, provided a natural community for rare and uncommon species of plants and animals.

ANR hydrologist Smith explained that among other things, they would need to dig into bedrock, and study aerial photos, looking for fractures and studying their predominant trends.

As hydrogeologist, he declined to comment on the project's possible effect on wildlife because his role was limited to seeing its effect on groundwater. However, he commented, "There definitely are fens, and they're very pretty."

OMYA geologist Don Burns said that Hansen's pipe study on the property of two adjacent landowners would test for the character, quality and quantity of water in relation to the project.

"We'd look at the connection between the quarry and the fen," he said, adding that he believed that the project would not impact the area, but if it did, "We'd try to mitigate it."

He said he hoped to get an agreement with the state in a month. The study could take a year, and he was not sure if they would wait for studies to be complete before applying for an Act 250 permit.

Hansen has said previously that he might sample water from the surface of the fen, but he was not planning to contact any more of the eight adjoining landowners for studies on their land. He said that if the landowners contacted refused access, he would confine the studies to OMYA property.

As one direct result of the ANR study, one adjoining landowner and his neighbor have decided to take measure to protect the fens.

Landowner Steven Burzon said he noticed in the study that his fen areas were described as "disturbed by grazing."

Burzon mentioned this to the owner of the grazing cows, his neighbor, Douglas White, who offered to fix the fence. Burzon said that White had enough work to do, he would fix it, and also enlist the assistance of the Conservation Riparian Program.