Commission presses developer on Brice Estates erosion

Conservation · Meeting of August 18, 2026

RUTLAND — The Rutland Conservation Commission reviewed erosion problems at two active subdivisions without taking formal action on either. Member David Klinch, reporting on an August 8 site walk joined by Allan Rantala of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, described "substantial amounts of sedimentation" at Brice Estates following back-to-back heavy rainstorms, including damaged erosion barriers and catch basins without silt sacks. Developer Clea Blair Jr. disputed an inspection report from Lucas Environmental documenting sediment reaching wetlands, telling the board silt sacks "don't work" on steep sites and that he has told the state Department of Environmental Protection the same.

At Brintnal Drive's Hilltop Estates site, Klinch said sediment traveled roughly 250 to 350 feet downhill but found only trace amounts in the wetland itself, concluding no remediation was needed. The board also reviewed unpermitted wetland-buffer yard work at 7 Prospect St. and a hazardous tree removal request at 11 Richards Ave., both pending site walks August 22, and voted unanimously to cancel its September 1 meeting, which falls on primary election day, moving to September 15 instead.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,428 words

Source: the Conservation meeting of August 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.