Hudson Property Owners Must Repair Lake Boon Wetland Damage
After Violating Wetlands Protection Act

Property owners of two different sites on Lake Boon in Hudson entered into a consent order with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to resolve violations of the Wetlands Protection Act.

In June of 2008, at the request of the Hudson Conservation Commission, MassDEP inspected property owned by H. Patrick Thornton and Erica Bigelow, and property owned by William and Linda Parker. MassDEP inspectors determined that clear-cutting of trees and site-grading activities had occurred within a wetland buffer zone that exceeded the scope of work allowed under a determination issued by the local Conservation Commission.

Placement of dredge material from the hydro-raking of Lake Boon had also caused alteration along the bank of the lake and adjacent wetlands buffer zone. This activity was conducted in violation of an order of conditions issued to the property owners. Inadequate and ineffective erosion controls at the site allowed erosion of unstable soils into Lake Boon.

Following the inspections, MassDEP ordered that all violations of the Wetlands Protection Act stop. Under the negotiated settlements, the property owners must establish a schedule to complete restoration of altered wetland areas under a plan approved by MassDEP. The property owners were also assessed penalties totaling $5,000.

"Restrictions on work in or near wetlands that are issued in local conservation commission permits are designed to assure protection of our wetland resources," said Paul Anderson, deputy director of MassDEP's Central Regional Office in Worcester. "Property owners need to be sure that they understand the permit requirements before proceeding with work in these areas."

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