SUNDERLAND — Following wetlands violations and erosion that stemmed from tree clearing on 3 acres of land, Falls Farm owner Dr. James Arcoleo is continuing to discuss a restoration and mitigation plan with the Conservation Commission.

Tuesday’s meeting reiterated the commission’s desire to get a formalized plan from the farm that is approved by a third party with specialized knowledge on wetlands. The board will take up the topic again on Thursday, July 25.

The restoration plan was first addressed during a commission meeting in May when an enforcement order was placed on the farm, which has land in both Sunderland and Montague. Sunderland Conservation Committee Chair Jennifer Unkles explained this restoration plan seeks to stabilize the property from erosion and further wetlands disturbance. Another enforcement order was given to Falls Farm in June requiring a mitigation plan, which seeks to establish a longer-term plan for wetlands restoration.

The farm cut the 3 acres of trees to expand its available farmland under a Chapter 61 agreement with the state. According to Arcoleo, the trees were cut down two to three years ago.

Arcoleo said ongoing efforts to address the violations include working with an engineer to plant grass and new trees, as well as adding erosion control matting and silt fencing to help stem erosion of sand into the wetlands and waterways.

Water guns, a device that’s used to filter water away from areas that are prone to erosion, on the 202 Old Sunderland Road property were among the concerns referenced by the Conservation Commission. Unkles noted a recent site visit discovered the area around a water gun on the land was causing “a river of sand” down a slope.

Arcoleo told Unkles that the erosion occurring underneath the water gun that led to sand build-up at the base of the slope was addressed earlier that day following intense rainfall that washed out parts of the slope. However, Unkles said site visits have yielded concern over the effectiveness of the control measures.

“I’ve seen the new [erosion] that comes even after layers of erosion control,” she said, adding that a formalized restoration and mitigation plan would prove to be the most effective way to find a long-term solution.

Gary Briere, whose home is located downstream from Falls Farm on the Connecticut River, expressed his frustration with the lack of a restoration and mitigation plan.

“We need not a bunch of assurances. We want something on paper that shows ‘Here’s what we’re going to do,’” Briere said.

He asked members of the commission to look at any methods they have available to get a plan secured.

“I highly encourage the commission to be as forceful as you can in getting that enforcement,” Briere said.

Unkles responded, highlighting the ongoing conversations and Arcoleo’s efforts to address the wetlands issues.

In an interview on Wednesday, Arcoleo affirmed his commitment to working with both the Sunderland and Montague conservation commissions to create a plan for stabilizing the land and eventual wetlands restoration.

“We’re trying to be very cooperative with both towns and both conservation commissions, and working alongside them to resolve the issues,” Arcoleo said.

Unkles also expressed her appreciation for the effort, but noted a wetlands specialist should be involved.

“We’re happy that there’s been attempts at stabilizing, and the point for last night was to drive home that [Arcoleo] needs to have someone who really specializes in erosion control, because all the work that’s been done still has very critical gaps,” Unkles said in an interview on Wednesday.

The Montague Conservation Commission also has worked with Falls Farm to address the wetlands violations on the parcels located in its jurisdiction. The Sunderland Conservation Commission is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, July 25, to review the restoration and mitigation plan that Falls Farm is asked to provide with input from a wetlands specialist.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.