Joseph Young of 180 Berkshire Ave. appeared before the Southwick Conservation Commission last night because of changes he made to riprap on his property on Congamond Lakes’ Middle Pond. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – A resident of Berkshire Avenue met with the Conservation Commission last night to discuss an enforcement order he received earlier that day.
Conservation Coordinator Dennis Clark first apologized to Joseph Young of 180 Berkshire Ave. for the lateness in which he received the notice. He said the dates of enforcement would be adjusted accordingly.
Young was given the order because of changes he made to riprap on his property on Congamond Lakes’ Middle Pond.
Riprap, also known as rip rap, rip-rap, shot rock, rock armour or rubble, is rock or other material used to armor shorelines, streambeds, bridge abutments, pilings and other shoreline structures against scour, water or ice erosion.
It is made from a variety of rock types, commonly granite or limestone, and occasionally concrete rubble from building and paving demolition. It can be used on any waterway or water containment where there is potential for water erosion.
Young said he experienced erosion at the shoreline and showed commissioners photos of his home taken when he first moved in and again today that show the changes. Young said there was riprap in the water when he bought the house and property.
“I had guys come in and stack it up,” said Young. “Before that, the beach was going into the water from all the boats.”
Young said he did not apply for a permit for the work because when he had work done to his path for similar erosion reasons, he was told he didn’t need a permit to repair something already existing.
Clark said this was different because it wasn’t just a repair.
“You changed a lot,” he said.
Clark said Young’s neighbor had an erosion problem and riprap in the water and went through proper channels to fix the problem.
“It’s not fair that one person can do it,” Clark said of Young. “Pictures don’t lie,” Young replied. “I pay $9,000 in taxes, dock fees, boat fees . . . I don’t have any environmental concerns.”
“You do,” said Clark. “The bank was not like that before – there’s new material there.”
Young said he was “not trying to be argumentative,” only that he believed the changes he made solved the erosion problem and did not require a permit.
Clark disagreed.
“You’ll have to get an environmental consultant out there and come in with a plan,” Clark said.
Conservation Commission Chairman Christopher Pratt told Young the commission had to “be accountable.”
“We’ll work with you,” said Clark. “We’re not unreasonable.”
