81 Pleasant Valley Road - Notice of Intent
A seasonal floating dock with ramp and landward platforms is proposed at 81 Pleasant Valley Road; the work is the subject of a Notice of Intent and an Order of Conditions from the Amesbury Conservation Commission.
AI summary
The applicant proposes a seasonal floating dock system at 81 Pleasant Valley Road consisting of two landward platforms on six 12‑inch concrete footings, a 3.5 ft × 35 ft articulating ramp, floating walkways, and a 20 ft × 10 ft floating dock. The dock will be removed for winter storage off the riverfront; the Notice of Intent was filed with the Amesbury Conservation Commission and an Order of Conditions and NHESP review are on file.
Gallery
Project details
What is proposed
The applicant proposes a seasonal floating dock system to serve a single‑family residence at 81 Pleasant Valley Road. The system consists of two small landward platforms (3.5 ft × 6 ft and 3.5 ft × 15 ft) supported by six 12‑inch concrete footings on the bank, a 3.5 ft × 35 ft articulating aluminum ramp, several 4 ft × 20 ft floating walkways supported by floats (plans show 6 ft × 10 ft floats), and a 20 ft × 10 ft floating dock at the outer end.
The dock and floats are intended to be removed each winter and stored off the riverfront (outside the 100‑foot buffer zone) on the applicant’s property across River Road.
Where and how big
The site is 81 Pleasant Valley Road (Assessor’s Map 111, Lots 16 & 16A) on the Merrimack River in Amesbury. The work affects the riverbank (Bank of the Merrimack River), the adjacent riverfront area, and a small amount of bordering land subject to flooding as shown on the submitted plans.
Plans on file include an existing conditions sheet and a proposed site/profile sheet prepared by GA Consultants and signed/stamped by John W. Hargreaves, PE/PLS (site plan dated 12/16/2024; a dock plan revision is dated 3/3/2025). The plan sheets show contours, property lines, the proposed dock layout extending into the river, and a profile view of the bank and dock.
Construction methods and environmental protections
All installation activity is planned from the landward (Pleasant Valley Road) side. The two landward platforms will be supported on six 12‑inch cast concrete footings installed into the bank; the ramp and dock sections will be floating components attached to the landward platform.
Erosion control measures described in the filing include installation of straw wattles on the river side of each footing during installation. The applicant’s narrative indicates no trees on the bank will be removed and states the dock will be stored off the riverfront during the off‑season. These measures are intended to limit disturbance to bank stability and nearby water areas.
Permits, resource area findings, and species review
This work was submitted to the Amesbury Conservation Commission as a Notice of Intent under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. An Order of Conditions (the wetlands permit issued by the Commission) is included in the project file. The regulatory review identifies the affected resource areas as the riverbank, riverfront area, and bordering land subject to flooding.
Because the Merrimack River corridor is identified in project materials as habitat for species such as bald eagle and shortnose sturgeon, the applicant provided the Notice of Intent materials to the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) to comply with the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) review requirements. Any NHESP determinations or conditions are part of the permit record and must be followed.
(Technical note: an Order of Conditions is the Conservation Commission’s wetlands permit under M.G.L. c. 131, § 40; Bordering Land Subject to Flooding and Riverfront Area are regulated resource areas that the Commission evaluates for flood storage, habitat, and water quality impacts.)
Status and next steps
The Notice of Intent, project narrative, and plan set prepared by GA Consultants are on file with the Conservation Commission, and an Order of Conditions has been issued and recorded in the project record. Typical next steps under the Order include completing construction in accordance with the approved plans and special conditions, following any NHESP requirements, providing required notifications to the Conservation Commission (for start of work and completion), and maintaining the seasonal removal and storage plan for the dock.
For the exact wording of permit conditions, the schedule for work, or any NHESP determinations, consult the full Notice of Intent, the signed Order of Conditions, and the Conservation Commission staff. Contact the Amesbury Conservation Commission office to view the project file or to ask about enforcement, monitoring, or permit compliance details.
Discussion at meetings
- APPROVEDo I have a motion to approve to issue the COC?
- OTHERa motion to close the hearing in that regard?
- APPROVEA motion was made by B. Manseau to approve the waiver for work in the no-disturb zone.
- APPROVEA motion was made by B. Manseau to approve NOI 002-1345 81 Pleasant Valley Road subject to the Agent receive for approval prior to submission to DEP the revised Form 3, Chapter 91 applied for, and DEP comments be received within 10 days.
- CONTINUEMotion to continue NOI DEP 002-1345 to May 5th.
