Yale Farm public hearing could be in May

NORTH CANAAN — Permitting for water use for the proposed Yale Farm Golf Club is moving through the final stages of the process, including a public hearing that will begin here in May.  However, a proposed bill working its way through the state Legislature could halt the project (see story, Page A1).

The developers — a group of investors led by part-time North Canaan resident Roland Betts — need a water diversion permit and a water quality certificate, both issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). They plan to build an 18-hole golf course and country club on a portion of the 780-acre Yale Farm in North Canaan and Norfolk.

Water use there would be significant. Neighbors and environmental organizations have mounted a protest, saying the club will have a profound effect on water sources throughout the area, as well as fish and wildlife habitats.

A meeting with all the interested parties took place in Hartford on Feb. 18. At the meeting, a schedule was created to include a public hearing on tentative decisions to approve the permits.

At the local level, the Yale Farm Golf Club proposal has three of four needed permits from planning and zoning and inland wetlands commissions. A prior approval from North Canaan Inland Wetlands was thrown out on appeal.

A new application is expected there at some point. Extensions were sought and received that would keep all previously issued permits valid.

A public hearing will begin at North Canaan Town Hall Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. It will continue on May 13, if needed.

The water quality certificate, which regulates discharged water, is processed according to federal law (even though it is a state-issued document) so it does not allow for a public hearing. A public comment period on that matter is closed and the decision is now in the hands of the DEP commissioner.