Douglas Conservation Commission issues wetland enforcement orders against two property owners

DOUGLAS — October 6, 2025 — Douglas Conservation Commission issues wetland enforcement orders against two properties, approves Perry Street drainage. The commission voted unanimously at its October 6 meeting to issue enforcement orders against Ryan and Morgan Norton of 200 South Street and Jim and Amanda Hampson of 11 Laurel Hill Road, requiring each to hire a qualified wetland scientist, perform a wetland delineation, and produce a wetland restoration plan within 90 days or face fines of $200 per day. Conservation Agent Brandon Dunn presented aerial imagery showing progressive site clearing between 2001 and 2023 at the South Street property and said historic topographic relief at the site had been "completely" flattened, calling fill of bordering vegetated wetland "highly likely." Hampson, who said he purchased an adjacent lot to make room for a house addition and vehicle storage, was told no notice of intent for new work could be filed until physical restoration is complete and inspected. The commission also voted 4-0 to issue a negative determination of applicability for New Sherbourne LLC's Perry Street stormwater redesign, accepting Conservation Agent Dunn's recommendation to position the infiltration basin no closer than 50 feet from the wetland to maximize runoff capture from the road, conditioned on use of a native erosion control seed mix and no topsoil on the basin floor.