Your recent story, (“East Haven’s Victoria Beach Rebuilds After Sandy,” Jan. 24, 2013), does not accurately portray efforts to build a seawall for the Victoria Beach condominiums.

Contrary to opinions offered in this story, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) did not delay or hold up permit applications for work at this site. In fact, we have been taking steps to better serve the public by streamlining and speeding our decision making process.

In the case of the Victoria Beach condos, the seawall now being built – as well as the originally proposed dune – is entirely within the jurisdiction of the Town of East Haven. DEEP’s role was limited to reviewing the town decision and consulting on the best way to manage shoreline erosion at the site.

As we pointed out to the East Haven Planning and Zoning Commission, seawalls raise complex issues because they can often cause changes in erosion and wave patterns. As a result, we encouraged the commission to make certain this project would not adversely impact neighboring properties and coastal resources, such as the adjacent Town beach.  

A longer look back at the history of the Victoria Beach condos actually points to valuable lessons as our state grapples with issues related to the resiliency of our coastline in the face of what appear to be more frequent and intense storms.

When the Victoria Beach units were built in the mid-1980s, DEEP advised that the buildings should have been set back much further from the water since the site was eroding and subject to storm hazards. Unfortunately, even with the recently approved protection, the Victoria Beach residents will continue to risk further damage from rising sea levels and increased coastal storms as a consequence of local land use decisions made several decades ago.

Macky McCleary

Deputy Commissioner

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection