The Mystic Harbor Management Commission(MHMC) is meeting on Thur, March 4. 

To be clear. Our position is that a dock on 28 Schoolhouse is acceptable, but the applicant must follow the constraints clearly stated by the Mystic Harbor Management Plan and the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection(DEEP) Guidelines for Residential Docks.

What is the role of the MHMC in dock proposals?  They tell the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection(DEEP) if a dock proposal is consistent with the Harbor Management Plan. 

What do they do? MHMC manages Moorings, River Traffic, Water Quality, Structure Appearance, Fishing, and Protection of costal resources. They are supposed to actively work with other commissions to achieve these goals. The Commission bases its actions on the Mystic Harbor Management Plan MHMC PLAN.

Who is on the Commission?

Dave Carreau jcarreay@aol.com Chair

Lou Allyn allynlouis6@gmail.com Vice Chair

Ken Scott k.scott@snet.net

Michael Lague lague.michaelm@gmail.com

Rod Cook kitrod@aol.com

Don Procko mysticharbormaster@gmail.com

Matthew Beaudoin matt@mysticknotwork.com

Fred Allard frederick.allard@snet.net

Mystic Harbor Management Commission mystichmc@gmail.com

Key Points:

1) What is being proposed? An elevated dock, over 100' long, with a 200sq ft float. The railings would be 15' above the sand at low tide. It will have a lift for jet skis and the capacity to berth two large boats; A 40' Sport Fisherman and a 50' houseboat will both fit. 

2) Do people Have a right to build any dock they want? The Chairman of the Commission has repeatedly stated, "Owners of residential waterfront have a right to wharf out." However, what the Plan actually says is, " It is recognized by this Commission that the owners of residential waterfront have a right to wharf out where there is no conflict with the aforementioned standards." p.14. Here are the standards:

1. "The scale should be the minimum necessary to secure a legitimate water-related function" p.14 The dock is big enough for two boats over 40' long!
2. "Excessively long docks might infringe on mooring areas or other reasonable uses of the water by the public p.13
3. "Design features which limit or avoid negative visual and aesthetic impacts should be incorporated" p.13
4. "Visual access to water should be maintained or improved" p.14

3) What other areas does the Plan require the Commission to address?

1. "Conscious of critical habitat species such as eel grass and ascophyllum, the Commission will strive to preserve existing beds" p.22
2. "Areas of the River where recreational fishing is historically intensive shall be preserved from encroachment by structures and boat moorings"  p.21
3 . If the dock, "Could force water activities such as kayaking, dinghies, and paddle-boards closer towards the main channel p.19
4. "Scenic vistas should be preserved" p.22
5. "A Goal of the MHMC is to improve quality in the Mystic River to class SB (support fishing, swimming and direct shellfish consumption) This proposal will contribute to water pollution by destroying underwater vegetation and creating pollution with chemicals and runoff from storing, cleaning, and maintaining boats p.12

4) The Proposed Dock:

1. Clearly Violates the "Minimum Size" Requirement. It is huge, and designed for huge boats. The pile spacing would be nearly impossible to use with a smaller boat.  
2. Large boats in shallow water would damage underwater vegetation.
3. Will block scenic views, and would seriously degrade the aesthetics of the area  
4. Has a float that is 60% larger than recommended by DEEP (100 sq ft)
5. Will block public activities such as fishing, kayaking, exploring, and swimming. Note that property owners only own the land higher than the average high tide mark, everything beyond that is owned by the public.
6. Would be dangerous to those using the site for recreation.  Maneuvering large boats in a small area with shallow water, wind, and boat wake is very difficult. Jet skis are inherently dangerous because of speed and control issues. 

Site Details with Photos

The property has no house and is surrounded by water at very high tides. A widely recognized environment expert identified that gravel had been dumped on the shore and that a driveway had been built over wetlands. Both of these actions constitute violations of CT wetlands law. DEEP has cited the property owner for these infractions.

How big a boat can fit in the proposed slip? This one is way too small. The slips are too big to be practical!

Here is what will easily fit into the smaller slip. 56 ft overall and a little under 16' wide. 

Here is an example of the depth very close to the proposed dock site at low tide. The water stays shallow for a long ways out. Hardly a good location for a large boat.