FARMINGTON – When Drew Hufnagel woke up one morning this spring to find two trees in his backyard were gone, he knew it was time to once again revisit the erosion issue on the banks of the Sandy River behind his Cushman Drive home.

In an area of the riverbank excavated 40-50 years ago for gravel – an operation since stopped by the Department of Environmental Protection – the river has pushed over toward the bank on the Cushman Drive side.

Hufnagel not only lost two trees but also approximately a 50- by 20-foot section of land due to erosion along the high bank behind his home, he told the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday.

The neighbors along the circular housing development in Fairbanks have been discussing the issue with town Code Enforcement Officer J. Stevens Kaiser since 2004, according to copies of memos Kaiser provided to the board.

Hufnagel came to the board to discuss the issue while looking for assistance, he said. There are five homeowners along the riverbank on Cushman Drive who are in urgent need.

Applying riprap would be the solution to hold the river back in place but if it’s not done soon, the bordering properties are in danger, Town Manager Richard Davis said.

The town’s role can include facilitating to help find a solution but the town can not provide funding for private property, he said.

A predisaster mitigation program application could be filed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency after the town’s Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee ranked the Cushman Drive erosion problem a number two priority in 2006, Kaiser said. It only follows behind an erosion issue near the intersection of Route 156 and the Whittier Road in Farmington Falls.

The drawback, submission of the application requires a costly engineering study. Inquiries made in 2006 were answered with “go do the study and get back to us,” he said. The larger agencies appeared willing to get on board with the project but it would need permits and the expensive engineering study to get the permits, he said.

Memos from Kaiser to Cushman Drive residents affected by erosion dating back to April of 2004 suggested putting in riprap along the section, along with applying for permits to excavate the bar and reopen another channel on the opposite side to lead the flow of water away from Cushman Drive.

The board expressed a willingness for the town to help find funding, perhaps through grants, but suggested the property owners might want to band together to pay for the study.

Hufnagel was looking to the town for assistance but not expecting the town to pay for it, he said.