Niantic shellfish farmer now seeks approval for two proposed river spots
A shellfish farmer who hopes to raise oysters and scallops in the Niantic River plans to submit a new proposal while the commission that would review his plan revamps its approval process.
The effort to find an appropriate location in the Niantic River for Tim Londregan's proposed shellfish nursery restarted earlier this month after scrutiny from Waterford and East Lyme residents caused the Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission to rescind an agreement they made with Londregan in 2016.
Londregan, who has experience growing shellfish in the Niantic Bay and selling them to restaurants, has a plan to use several acres in the river to grow juvenile shellfish to a larger size before moving them into the bay.
The shellfish commission last year nixed six designated shellfishing areas that it temporarily can lease to prospective commercial shellfish farmers, instead creating a new, seventh parcel to give Londregan access to.
But the location's proximity to a state boat launch and local residents' concerns about safety and tourism implications made the agreement unpopular, and Waterford's town attorney told the commission it had to start over last month and follow a more transparent and regulated process for giving Londregan access to the river.
The commission rescinded its agreement with Londregan at a meeting in November, after Mago Point and Niantic residents and business owners complained that Londregan's proposal could be unsafe for boaters and have adverse effects on the river, tourism to Mago Point and Niantic, and the "character" of the river.
Londregan said Tuesday that he plans to submit a new application to the commission that would allow him to use part of a designated shellfishing area just north of the Niantic River bridge, known as Parcel 2, and an area off the Waterford shore near Niantic River Road and 10th Avenue, known as Parcel 5.
"I think those are the most convenient for me," he said. "They're the most removed from other uses."
The water in the parcel on the Waterford side of the river is deeper than the one that hugs the bridge in East Lyme, giving Londregan multiple options to move the shellfish to ideal environments as they grow and the weather changes, he said.
Avena is working with the shellfish commission and officials from both towns to revamp the process for leasing parts of the river to commercial shellfish farmers, and Londregan said he plans to submit his new proposal while the commission members develop plans to publish a public notice about any upcoming vote, hold public hearings and seek the input of other town commissions.
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