1. Precedent. The project will allow large docks with lifts to be built on small pieces of land without a house. Owners of these docks won't have to even live on the island, and the size of the boats hoisted in the air is not regulated. Hoists are easily capable of lifting a 50 ft boat. The boats have to be high enough to clear extreme high tides and storm waves. These are large structures that block light required for eelgrass, and they obliterate views that Masons Island is blessed with. Once built there is no control by local or state authorities over what boat can be berthed at the dock. A 35 ft Sport fisherman with a height of 25ft, or an even bigger boat, is a real possibility!  

2. Tidal Wetlands. The location of this proposed dock is mostly Tidal Wetland. The protections built into the zoning regulations for properties zoned as Tidal Wetlands (RC-120) don't apply to this property because of a Zoning Loophole. The property is zoned RA-15 "Residential," so digging, filling and other potentially harmful activities can be conducted within inches of Tidal Wetlands.  State and local authorities are aware of the issue, but correcting it may take time; The state may need to pass a law requiring townships to protect tidal wetlands with non-infringement zones. I alerted the  CT Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and they are looking at ways to more quickly resolve the issue. In the meantime, property owners are taking advantage of the loophole and damaging tidal wetlands. In the picture below you can see this doesn't look like residential property. The area in blue(below) shows the extent of high tides that are seen several times a month. The property is an Island surrounded by Tidal Wetland as defined by CT law. 

3. Environment. The location is very shallow and has beds of eelgrass. This fragile ecosystem will be severely damage by the construction and use of the proposed dock. The massive floating 160 sq ft dock will be very close to the bottom and will completely shade vegetation below it. Wake from boats in the channel, can reach heights of 3 ft., which would create extreme motion of the floating dock that could crush a kayak or person.  The prop wash will gouge troughs in the bottom and spread sediment that can cover and kill underwater vegetation. The site is also a popular nesting area for a large variety of migratory birds. 

4. View. The dock is very long and will have lifts that hold the boats high in the air. The 54 foot long, elevated walkway, will have railings as high as 15ft above the beach during low tide! This part leads to a 34 ft ramp and an 8 x 20 ft floating dock. This will effectively destroy many of the views that residents enjoy as they walk down Schoolhouse Rd. It will look absurd from the water, and will inconsistent with any other docks in the area. Imagine what the island would like with these monstrosities along the coast!

5. Violations of CT wetland law were identified on the site. Gravel was dumped to create a "Beach" and a driveway was built that covers tidal wetlands as defined by CT law. The property owner was forced to remove the gravel and repair the site. This a serious offense that carries serious financial penalties. The picture below shows remediation in progress.