Lindell’s fuel tank move approved locally, but waiting for state’s nod

NORTH CANAAN — A plan by C.A. Lindell & Sons to relocate fuel and propane storage tanks has received local approval. The North Canaan Inland Wetlands Commission signed off on the project at its April 24 meeting. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has given tentative approval.

Lindell’s plan is to move heating oil, kerosene, gasoline and propane tanks to a remote portion of the Church Street property. In their current location, the tanks are just behind the hardware store and very close to Station Place, a 37-unit housing complex.

However, the move would put the proposed storage and truck fueling in a flood plain and as close as 205 feet to the Blackberry River, which converges with the Housatonic soon after that point. A stream channel encroachment permit is required from the DEP.

The plan is to build a 2,520-square-foot facility that takes into account the potential for flooding or fuel spills. All tanks would be situated inside a concrete retaining wall, in a covered facility behind the drive-through  warehouse.

Planned are two 30,000-gallon bulk propane tanks; one 153,000-gallon fuel oil tank; three 10,000-gallon tanks for kerosene and gasoline; and one 20,000-gallon diesel tank.

In its notice of tentative determination, the DEP noted that the proposed encroachment will “not have an adverse impact on flood heights, flood storage capacity or hazards to life and property with due consideration to similar encroachments already constructed along the Blackberry River floodplain.�

A public comment period is open until May 5. Written comments should be submitted to Jeffrey Caiola, Bureau of WaterProtection and Land Reuse’s Inland Water Resources Division, 79 Elm St., Hartford CT 06106-5127. Questions may be sent to Carol Ladue at 860-424-3828.

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