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31D-008 Lyman Pond Dredging Order of ConditionsOctober 11, 2012 File No. 15.0166175.01 Conservation Commission Office of Planning Development City of Northampton 210 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 Re: MassDEP File 246 -0661 Order of Conditions Compliance Letter of Understanding Lyman Pond Restoration Project College Lane Northampton, Massachusetts Dear Commission Members: The undersigned have received, read, understand, and intend to fully comply with all ap- plicable aspects of the Order of Conditions issued for the above referenced project, dated February 29, 2012. Very truly yours, SMITH COLLEGE D Hartwell Applicant /Project Manager 126 West Street Northampton, MA 01063 (413) 585 -2441 SCAPES BUILT 1.16 LANDSCAPING, LLC Douglas Blowers Contractor 851 Roaring Brook Road Conway, MA 01341 (413) 665 -0185 ML`M+S4 LLL GZA GEOENVIRONMENTAL, INC. 1, Steven T. D'Ambrosio, P.E. Consultant to the Applicant 1350 Main Street, Suite 1400 Springfield, MA 01103 (413) 726-2126 April 11, 2012 Gary Hartwell Smith College Facilities Management 126 West Street Northampton MA, 01063 RE: Order of Conditions, DEP #246-661; Lyman Pond Dredging, Parcel ID 31D-008 Dear Gary: Enclosed please find the original signed Order of Conditions for the above referenced project. This Order has been recorded in the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds, and filed with the Department of Environmental Protection as required. The ten business day legal appeal period from the date of issuance has expired, and the project may begin at any time once pre-construction conditions are met. Please read the document carefully, as it contains conditions that must be adhered to before, during, and after work on the project. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you, Sarah LaValley Conservation, Preservation and Land Use Planner Cc via email: Erin Haugh, GZA Environmental Sarah LaValley From:Erin Haugh [erin.haugh@gza.com] Sent:Wednesday, January 25, 2012 4:23 PM To:Sarah LaValley Cc:Steven D'Ambrosio; ghartwel@email.smith.edu; 'Stinson, Mark (DEP)' Subject:RE: Northampton DEP File Number Notification - Smith College Lyman Pond Sarah, We wanted to provide a response to the DEP comments. I have responded to comments 1 and 2 below. Steven D’Ambrosio of our office will provide a response to comment 3 tomorrow. [1] “LUWW is being impacted” My usual thoughts are Table 1: Wetland Impact Summary that without a pond or perennial stream there is no LUWW. Resource Impacts Restoration (in However, DEP is correct in that the height of the standpipe is Area place) actually the limits of LUWW resource area. With that in mind, LUWW 2700 SF 2700 SF the corrected wetland impact areas values for the project Bank 10 LF 10 LF include 2700 SF of LUWW (Table 1 shows new impact values). There is a corresponding decrease in temporary Bank impacts BVW 50 SF (invasive 50 SF restored species removal) in place for the dredging so that only 10 LF will now be impacted for access and for the viewing platform. A regulatory compliance table (Table 2) follows to show that the project still complies with the regulations for LUWW with this new impact. Table 2: LUWW General Performance Standards Compliance Summary Performance Standard 310 CMR 10.56 Statement of Compliance (4)(a)(1) Water Carrying Dredging will increase the volume in the pond and will help to Capacity restore its carrying capacity. (4)(a)(2) Ground and Surface The proposed dredging will not impair surface or ground water Water Quality quality and rather, will remove any existing accumulation of nutrient laden constituents. (4)(a)(3) Provision of breeding Though dredging will temporarily remove the existing seed and habitat, escape cover and food macrophyte bed within the pond, these have been at high levels for fisheries to the point that it may be detrimental to local biodiversity. It is anticipated that returning the pond to its original depths and replanting with similar species will provide for a more sustainable vegetative community that supports a similar variety of aquatic wildlife. (4)(a)(4) Wildlife Habitat The project will alter more than 10% but less than 5,000 S.F. of Functions wildlife habitat. Since the project impacts more than 10%, it must comply with 310 CMR 10.60. The capacity of the pond to provide breeding habitat, escape cover and food for fisheries and important wildlife habitat functions will not be adversely impacted. The LUWW will be improved by restoring the pond to a more viable waterbody and thus increase habitat available to aquatic species. It is expected that within 2 years following work the Wildlife Habitat of the pond will be restored to baseline conditions, in fact it will likely be less than 2 years since the College proposes to replant the pond. Therefore, no impact to this wetland function will result from the proposed project. 1 [2] The wooden box cover is in place to maintain the connection between the LPH pond and Paradise Pond. Without the box cover, plant and other debris would flow un-obstructed into the pipe and eventually clog the pipe. This allow additional plant matter to flow to Paradise Pond and eventually obstruct the pipe causing flow to cease (and WPA jurisdiction to be removed). We will see you tomorrow night at the meeting. Thanks, Erin Erin R Gillen Haugh Project Manager GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. 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