ATHOL – The Department of Fish & Game is hoping to create a kayak and canoe launch on the Millers River near the dead-end portion of Crescent Street off of Chestnut Hill Avenue.

The Notice of Intent, submitted by the department’s Office of Fishing & Boating Access, received unanimous backing from the Athol Conservation Commission at its meeting on Tuesday, June 25.

In addition to the launch, the project also calls for the creation of an access road and a designated parking area next to the river. Any development would have to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A contractor for the launch hasn’t been chosen and the state will cover the costs.

This section of Crescent Street, located near the Minnie French Conservation Area, has some residences, though none where the launch is proposed.

Project consultant Matt Lundsted with Comprehensive Environmental of Bolton represented the state at the recent meeting. Before going into to details of the project, he submitted documentation that it had received certification from MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. He added that abutters of the property have been notified of the project.

“There’s currently an access road down there,” said Lundsted. “There’s no formal parking or access to the river if you haven’t been there. There are power lines that go across (the river) and the power company built some big mounds for their poles. There’s also, as you go under the power lines, various degrees of four-wheeler, motorcycle and other trail use.”

The access road referred to by Lundsted is currently blocked by a locked gate at the end of Crescent Street. The plan calls for users of the facility to park in the lot and carry their kayaks or canoes to the riverside.

Lundsted was asked if the gate at the end of Crescent Street will be replaced.

“Most public access is not gated unless the community requires it,” he said. “I know we’ve spoken to emergency personnel about a formalized access that leads to some point nearer the river. That existing driveway…gets pretty washed out. So, that’s another reason we want to formalize that access – to control the stormwater once it gets down into that area.”

Lundsted said the access road and parking lot would be paved, while the paths leading to the riverfront will be covered with crushed stone.

“We can make it smooth enough to be ADA compliant without paving it,” he added.

One option for the launch involves the creation of a switchback pathway, which Lundsted said would have a significant impact to nearby wetlands. Instead, the intention is to create two handicap-accessible parking spaces on the riverfront.

Asked about the need to discourage activity by four-wheelers, Lundsted said, “The parking area will be kind of controlled. I’d have to ask about fencing beyond the guardrail and curbing that’s associated with the parking lot and kind of closing off that area. I do know the power company will want to maintain access, so we wouldn’t be able to put in a fence that they couldn’t get through.

“You may want to talk to (National Grid) about isolating an area and providing for their needs,” he told the commission.

Completion of the project, said the consultant, all depends on securing the funding.

“It can sometimes take up to a year,” he said, while adding that a similar project completed in Methuen took about two years to complete once all of the permitting had been obtained.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@aol.com.