[newguy101]

I live in southeastern CT. There is a stream that runs through our backyard (see pic). A big chunk of our backyard is basically a wetland/marsh. We are thinking about trying to make some of the marshy area usable.

Specifically, I would like to raise the land indicated in the attached marked up picture using clean fill, and possibly also put a patio right next to the water.

I was wondering - is this something that is typically allowed, or is this the kind of thing I will get in trouble for because I am doing it near a body of water?

Note that I will certainly do this legally, or I will not do it at all if it is not possible to do legally. I am planning on contacting whatever local government body I need to contact, and I am not substituting the advice of the internet for whatever approvals I may need to get. But I also wanted to hear what the internet experts have to say as well

 

[Colbyt]

The legality of the action depends on state law and regulations.


The practicality depends on the stream.

How high and fast does it flow in a heavy rain?
Will the overflow damage the patio?

Your yard is at the bottom or top of the picture?
What would retain the dirt while vegetation is grown?

 

[newguy101]

The legality of the action depends on state law and regulations.


The practicality depends on the stream.

How high and fast does it flow in a heavy rain?
Will the overflow damage the patio?

Your yard is at the bottom or top of the picture?
What would retain the dirt while vegetation is grown?

Good questions. The pic shows the stream at about full flow. It does get a little higher during rain, but not much. I would intend to raise the patio high enough that there would be no overflow.

I took the picture from the vantage point of our deck. The shadow you see is the shadow from our house, and the building you see is a shed at the back of our property. I am hoping that if I use sufficiently large rocks/stones as clean fill, and then put some gravel on top of that, that should retain everything?

 

[Nealtw]

https://www.northstoningtonct.gov/inland-wetlands-and-watercourses-commission

 

[newguy101]

https://www.northstoningtonct.gov/inland-wetlands-and-watercourses-commission

Helpful, thanks! I just sent them an email.

 

[Colbyt]

Better to play it by the rules as the chances of getting away with anything these days is practically NIL.


From you image and description it does not sound like you are having any material impact on the wetlands but the powers that be may disagree.



Permeable pavers might be an easier sell than a non-permeable surface; gravel might be even better.

 

[rjniles]

I see your chances of getting this approved anywhere in the US as slim to none. And to even try you will spend thousands in legal and engineering fees. Every tree huger within 500 miles will sue to stop you. And don't even think about trying it on the sly.

 

[Msradell]

I see your chances of getting this approved anywhere in the US as slim to none. And to even try you will spend thousands in legal and engineering fees. Every tree huger within 500 miles will sue to stop you. And don't even think about trying it on the sly.

The determining factor will be whether that area is actually considered a wetland or not. If it is negated should be a wetland you are correct that getting a permit to do that will be next to impossible. However, if it's not officially designated as being a wetland he shouldn't have any problem getting a permit.

 

[carpdad]

I don't see what the problem could be as long as you use clean, draining material. How about raise the area with gravel, contain with some large rocks and sit a floating roofed pergola? Stay well away from the stream and make the pergola little higher so you can see the stream?

 

[rjniles]

I don't see what the problem could be as long as you use clean, draining material. How about raise the area with gravel, contain with some large rocks and sit a floating roofed pergola? Stay well away from the stream and make the pergola little higher so you can see the stream?

If the powers to be say the area is a wetland, you will find out quickly the problem. And spent a lot of $$$ to fix it.

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[7635tools]

If the powers to be say the area is a wetland, you will find out quickly the problem. And spent a lot of $$$ to fix it.

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Depends on how close anyone is to see it. If you’re out in the sticks it’s only illegal if you get caught. Stuff like this is done all the time successfully.


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[ClarenceBauer]

Depends on how close anyone is to see it. If you’re out in the sticks it’s only illegal if you get caught. Stuff like this is done all the time successfully.


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WRONG
I know of a person that dammed up a stream & created a lake on his very large 1,600 acer farm no other property was effected by increased water levels.
After two years & a hurricane the State did a fly over to assess hurricane damage when this large body of water appeared they discovered the cause.
The property was required to drain the lake & restore the land back to it's natural state. Cost was $250,000.00

 

[huesmann]

Dunno if this will be of any use to you.

https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html

 

[carpdad]

Sorry, op, didn't mean to say to go ahead and do whatever you want. Always follow through with building codes and rules. The rules are where it is really good to have the paper trail. Cross ts and dotting the i's. It is not like building a rocket, although that also can fail.

My thought was permit success could depend on your use of material as well. It would be good if you have the property survey and go talk to the zoning first. If the offices are occupied.:smile: