Future of Historic Branford Farm In Jeopardy

The fifth generation of Medlyn farmers may need to choose another career path other than farming, as their family's 133-year old farm may not be around to survive another season. 

According to Medlyn's Farm owner Jay Medlyn, the removal last summer of a large berm, a historic breakwater barrier, has caused his farm and neighboring properties to flood, resulting in a host of issues including lost crops, ruined soil and ruined properties. 

His farm, a 30-acre parcel located at 710 Leetes Island Road (Route 146) in Branford, transforms into a large pond of salt water after a heavy rain or storm. 

"The saltwater kills my crops and contaminates everyone's wells thus ruining pipes and furnaces," said Medlyn. "In addition, the road floods, cars stall and the flooding prevents emergency vehicles from getting through." 

Medlyn explains that for many years, the historic breakwater berm had been eroding. After Hurricane Irene, it got worse. 

Last summer, the Branford Land Trust removed the berm, with permission from the DEEP, and had a foot bridge installed.

"I have nothing against the Branford Land Trust, but no study was done on the effects of removing this berm," said Medlyn. "We need to address the problem and fix it."

His message to the land trust: help us stop the flooding issue which has become worse since they removed the berm.

Patch spoke to Bill Horne, past president and past director of the Branford Land Trust, who said the berm had been decaying and eroding naturally for years and was not intact when it was removed.

He said the land trust worked through the DEEP permitting process to build what they refer to as a boardwalk to keep the trail, a recreational asset to the town he said, passable. 

"We want to move forward on this as well," said Horne. 

Horne said the reality is the sea level and ground water is rising, which will eventually impact wells and septic systems for homeowners who live near the water. 

Medlyn and a neighbor Gregory Wilkins have asked Senator Ed Meyer for help. 

There is a meeting with Sen. Meyer and a representative from the DEEP scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 1:30pm at Medlyn's Farm.  

Wilkins confirmed Medlyn's description of the water problems that have affected the farm, founded in 1880, and his own property. 

"We don't have much of a problem with the amount of water that goes in and out on a daily basis, but if we have any type of event, a low-pressure system for example, and with less vegetation in the winter, we get an enormous amount of water into this marsh," said Wilkins. "It stays there and saturates wells and homes." 

In correspondence to the DEEP, Sen. Meyer called the flooding situation "an emerging problem of great significance."

Sen. Meyer wrote that "the farm has been gravely damaged by the removal of the berm in question. DEEP has been charged with authorizing the removal of this protective berm but has not taken any remedial action."

He asked for the DEEP's assistance in "bringing about a resolution of this large loss of farmland."

This is a copy of the letter Greg Wilkins sent to Sen. Meyer's office which further explains the issues: 

Dear Senator Meyer, 

I would like to bring to your attention the far-reaching implications of the removal of the historic berm along our marsh on Route 146 in Branford Connecticut, shortly before Hurricane Sandy last year. The Branford Land Trust removed approximately a 150 foot section of historic berm as to facilitate construction of their new walkway. Everyone was well aware that there was some small breaches in the existing structure some that were made a bit bigger during Hurricane Irene. Now that it has been removed it has allowed an unacceptable amount of water that floods into the marsh during any kind of very high tide, Parigee tide, tidal event, small storms, seasonal and fall tides, let alone a hurricane even a category one or less. There has been a tremendous amount of damage that has occurred in this whole area such as neighbor's wells suddenly having salt in them. Loss of native trees in these areas. Some structural damage to buildings. One home in particular has been abandoned due to the failure of a septic system. Flooding of outbuildings and peoples homes, loss of farmland and tremendous erosion. Please note that these homes have been here for many years and never have had these kind of problems before. This particular marsh is a pristine marsh with a fabulous watershed of Jarvis Creek that has been impacted by this tremendous amount of water influx that occurs in the mostly winter months. Closure of shellfish beds from erosion and high nitrate levels due to erosion along Mr. Medlyn's farm fields and an unacceptable amount of flooding along Route 146 where up to 100 cars a day are forced to drive through saltwater often getting stuck and damaged. All of our affected neighbors are well aware of sea level rise measuring only in mere inches, however this action taken by the land trust to facilitate their structure has set us back in my estimation as a layman10 years, as far as predicted sea level rise. The two historic berms of which now there is only one, along with the tidal gate structure has been this area's only defense against the water since the late 1800s and we have become very reliant on its simple features to protect all of the neighbors, structures, the marsh itself, and roads in the area. This is been a serious setback for our future. On a brighter side, simply putting back the berm that was there could be a relatively simple fix. I believe that if the berm was replaced and maintained it could save the DOT many thousands of dollars of road reconstruction. It would be prudent also to maintain the three existing structures in the future. No adjacent landowners were ever notified prior to what was to be done on the berm. And these are people that actually own property adjacent to this area. It does seem like there was some process in order to get a permit from DEEP for the work performed however there was never a hydrologist report issued to my knowledge. If you could please look into this matter, myself and all of our neighbors in this immediate affected area would be very grateful. I and my neighbors have been in touch with the DEEP and the Branford Land Trust numerous times regarding these issues and not heard back as of late.  Thank you very much for your assistance.  Also I have some imagery (videos and pictures) if you would like them I can also suggest taking a walk on the affected areas at a moments notice,

Greg Wilkins