Wayland Conservation Commission moves to stop crumb rubber runoff at Loker fields

WAYLAND — August 9, 2023 — Wayland Conservation Commission escalates enforcement over crumb rubber escaping Loker synthetic turf field into Sudbury River wetlands. Chair Sean Fair said he has issued an enforcement order and outlined a three-step plan: stop the active discharge, redesign a field that "sheets off every time it rains," and remediate crumb rubber that has accumulated "feet" deep in downstream wetlands. Conservation Administrator Linda Hansen said she is requiring containment at the discharge pipe and that the state Department of Environmental Protection has received a complaint about sediment reaching two ponds. The commission separately approved removal of 11 trees at 5 Juniper Lane under Chapter 193 conditioned on a replacement planting plan, authorized Hansen to issue a stormwater permit for a 4,867-square-foot garage addition at 49 Old Sudbury Road, and granted a certificate of compliance closing a 2008 septic order at 11 Cormans Lane. Five other hearings were continued to Aug. 30.