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01/15/2019 11:00 PMThe renovation of Kirtland Landing boat launch is now is sight. After the town signed a memorandum of understanding with the parties involved in the project—primarily the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but also the Department of Transportation—the town released a request for qualifications in mid- December for engineering firms to complete the design. Proposals are due by Jan. 14 (after press time).
The small craft boat launch off Route 145 is owned by the town and provides the only public access to the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge via the Menunketesuck River. The wildlife refuge begins a mere 2,000 feet downstream from the boat launch.
Storm water runoff, heavy use, and lack of maintenance have taken their toll on the launch, and the surrounding area is in need of renovation, as well: The parking area is small and poorly organized, creating a safety hazard on Route 145, and the stream bank is severely eroded.
The town applied for renovation funds for the landing through the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP), established to improve and provide access to federal lands. Kayakers and boaters use the launch to explore the Menunketesuck River as well as the refuge, which includes eight islands and a variety of habitats from grassy upland to tidal salt marsh. The federal entities together are providing a total of roughly $170,000 for the project.
While the town will put up around $36,000 for the engineering design, it will be reimbursed for its costs, according to John Rie, head of the ad hoc committee established by the Board of Selectmen (BOS) upon the resignation of the town planner late last year.
“The hope was to get [the renovation] done this summer, but it’s probably going to happen by fall,” Rie said. “What we’re asking quotes for is the engineering, which includes things like the survey, a neighborhood meeting to make sure we meet all requirements of the neighborhood, and get the permits set up. If we’re lucky, we’ll be doing the construction this fall.”
Once the design work is completed, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will be responsible for management and funding of the renovation. The town is working with Richard Potvin, a northeast state coordinator for the agency who, at press time, was on furlough due to the government shutdown and unavailable to comment.
The project will expand and resurface the parking area using pervious (porous) pavement, replace and modernize the boat ramp, stabilize roughly 2,000 square feet of river bank to address erosion and safety issues, and remove overgrown shrubs and invasive plant species. It will also create approximately 8,000 feet of riparian buffer—vegetation extending out from the edge of a river, shielding it from pollutants and other damage in an effort to prevent further erosion, improve the quality of storm water, and improve safety for those using the launch.