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Arcadia NOI 2016 Northamptonwpaform3.doc • rev. 3/10/2016 Page 1 of 9 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 3 – Notice of Intent Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 Provided by MassDEP: MassDEP File Number Document Transaction Number Northampton City/Town Important: When filling out forms on the computer, use only the tab key to move your cursor - do not use the return key. Note: Before completing this form consult your local Conservation Commission regarding any municipal bylaw or ordinance. A. General Information 1. Project Location (Note: electronic filers will click on button to locate project site): Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary a. Street Address Northampton b. City/Town 01060 c. Zip Code Latitude and Longitude: 42.292263 d. Latitude -72.648527 e. Longitude 45 f. Assessors Map/Plat Number 010-001 g. Parcel /Lot Number 2. Applicant: Jonah a. First Name Keane b. Last Name Mass Audubon's Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary c. Organization 127 Combs Rd d. Street Address Easthampton e. City/Town MA f. State 01027 g. Zip Code 413.54.3009 x5811 h. Phone Number 413.584.0250 i. Fax Number jkeane@massaudubon.org j. Email Address 3. Property owner (required if different from applicant): Check if more than one owner a. First Name b. Last Name Massachusetts Audubon Society c. Organization 208 South Great Rd d. Street Address Lincoln e. City/Town MA f. State 01773 g. Zip Code 781.259.9500 h. Phone Number i. Fax Number j. Email address 4. Representative (if any): a. First Name b. Last Name c. Company d. Street Address e. City/Town f. State g. Zip Code h. Phone Number i. Fax Number j. Email address 5. Total WPA Fee Paid (from NOI Wetland Fee Transmittal Form): 110 a. Total Fee Paid 42.50 b. State Fee Paid 67.50 c. City/Town Fee Paid wpaform3.doc • rev. 3/10/2016 Page 2 of 9 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 3 – Notice of Intent Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 Provided by MassDEP: MassDEP File Number Document Transaction Number Northampton City/Town A. General Information (continued) 6. General Project Description: Closure of 305 feet of hiking trail at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary close to the Mill River and creation of a new section of trail on higher ground, including a 25ft pedestrian bridge. 7a. Project Type Checklist: (Limited Project Types see Section A. 7b.) 1. Single Family Home 2. Residential Subdivision 3. Commercial/Industrial 4. Dock/Pier 5. Utilities 6. Coastal engineering Structure 7. Agriculture (e.g., cranberries, forestry) 8. Transportation 9. Other 7b. Is any portion of the proposed activity eligible to be treated as a limited project (including Ecological Restoration Limited Project) subject to 310 CMR 10.24 (coastal) or 310 CMR 10.53 (inland)? 1. Yes No If yes, describe which limited project applies to this project. (See 310 CMR 10.24 and 10.53 for a complete list and description of limited project types) 2. Limited Project Type If the proposed activity is eligible to be treated as an Ecological Restoration Limited Project (310 CMR10.24(8), 310 CMR 10.53(4)), complete and attach Appendix A: Ecological Restoration Limited Project Checklist and Signed Certification. 8. Property recorded at the Registry of Deeds for: Hampshire a. County b. Certificate # (if registered land) 1028 c. Book 453 d. Page Number B. Buffer Zone & Resource Area Impacts (temporary & permanent) 1. Buffer Zone Only – Check if the project is located only in the Buffer Zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland, Inland Bank, or Coastal Resource Area. 2. Inland Resource Areas (see 310 CMR 10.54-10.58; if not applicable, go to Section B.3, Coastal Resource Areas). Check all that apply below. Attach narrative and any supporting documentation describing how the project will meet all performance standards for each of the resource areas altered, including standards requiring consideration of alternative project design or location. wpaform3.doc • rev. 3/10/2016 Page 3 of 9 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 3 – Notice of Intent Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 Provided by MassDEP: MassDEP File Number Document Transaction Number Northampton City/Town B. Buffer Zone & Resource Area Impacts (temporary & permanent) (cont’d) For all projects affecting other Resource Areas, please attach a narrative explaining how the resource area was delineated. Resource Area Size of Proposed Alteration Proposed Replacement (if any) a. Bank 1. linear feet 2. linear feet b. Bordering Vegetated Wetland <50 sf (restoration) 1. square feet 2. square feet c. Land Under Waterbodies and Waterways 1. square feet 2. square feet 3. cubic yards dredged Resource Area Size of Proposed Alteration Proposed Replacement (if any) d. Bordering Land Subject to Flooding 610 1. square feet 558 (restoration) 2. square feet 0 3. cubic feet of flood storage lost 4. cubic feet replaced e. Isolated Land Subject to Flooding 1. square feet 2. cubic feet of flood storage lost 3. cubic feet replaced f. Riverfront Area Mill River (inland) 1. Name of Waterway (if available) - specify coastal or inland 2. Width of Riverfront Area (check one): 25 ft. - Designated Densely Developed Areas only 100 ft. - New agricultural projects only 200 ft. - All other projects 3. Total area of Riverfront Area on the site of the proposed project: 2,956,800 square feet 4. Proposed alteration of the Riverfront Area: 610 a. total square feet restoration only b. square feet within 100 ft. 610 c. square feet between 100 ft. and 200 ft. 5. Has an alternatives analysis been done and is it attached to this NOI? Yes No 6. Was the lot where the activity is proposed created prior to August 1, 1996? Yes No 3. Coastal Resource Areas: (See 310 CMR 10.25-10.35) Note: for coastal riverfront areas, please complete Section B.2.f. above. wpaform3.doc • rev. 3/10/2016 Page 4 of 9 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 3 – Notice of Intent Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 Provided by MassDEP: MassDEP File Number Document Transaction Number Northampton City/Town B. Buffer Zone & Resource Area Impacts (temporary & permanent) (cont’d) Check all that apply below. Attach narrative and supporting documentation describing how the project will meet all performance standards for each of the resource areas altered, including standards requiring consideration of alternative project design or location. Online Users: Include your document transaction number (provided on your receipt page) with all supplementary information you submit to the Department. Resource Area Size of Proposed Alteration Proposed Replacement (if any) a. Designated Port Areas Indicate size under Land Under the Ocean, below b. Land Under the Ocean 1. square feet 2. cubic yards dredged c. Barrier Beach Indicate size under Coastal Beaches and/or Coastal Dunes below d. Coastal Beaches 1. square feet 2. cubic yards beach nourishment e. Coastal Dunes 1. square feet 2. cubic yards dune nourishment Size of Proposed Alteration Proposed Replacement (if any) f. Coastal Banks 1. linear feet g. Rocky Intertidal Shores 1. square feet h. Salt Marshes 1. square feet 2. sq ft restoration, rehab., creation i. Land Under Salt Ponds 1. square feet 2. cubic yards dredged j. Land Containing Shellfish 1. square feet k. Fish Runs Indicate size under Coastal Banks, inland Bank, Land Under the Ocean, and/or inland Land Under Waterbodies and Waterways, above 1. cubic yards dredged l. Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage 1. square feet 4. Restoration/Enhancement If the project is for the purpose of restoring or enhancing a wetland resource area in addition to the square footage that has been entered in Section B.2.b or B.3.h above, please enter the additional amount here. a. square feet of BVW b. square feet of Salt Marsh 5. Project Involves Stream Crossings 1 a. number of new stream crossings 0 b. number of replacement stream crossings wpaform3.doc • rev. 3/10/2016 Page 5 of 9 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 3 – Notice of Intent Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 Provided by MassDEP: MassDEP File Number Document Transaction Number Northampton City/Town C. Other Applicable Standards and Requirements This is a proposal for an Ecological Restoration Limited Project. Skip Section C and complete Appendix A: Ecological Restoration Notice of Intent – Required Actions (310 CMR 10.11). Streamlined Massachusetts Endangered Species Act/Wetlands Protection Act Review 1. Is any portion of the proposed project located in Estimated Habitat of Rare Wildlife as indicated on the most recent Estimated Habitat Map of State-Listed Rare Wetland Wildlife published by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP)? To view habitat maps, see the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Atlas or go to http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/PRI_EST_HAB/viewer.htm. a. Yes No If yes, include proof of mailing or hand delivery of NOI to: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program Division of Fisheries and Wildlife 1 Rabbit Hill Road Westborough, MA 01581 2008 b. Date of map If yes, the project is also subject to Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) review (321 CMR 10.18). To qualify for a streamlined, 30-day, MESA/Wetlands Protection Act review, please complete Section C.1.c, and include requested materials with this Notice of Intent (NOI); OR complete Section C.2.f, if applicable. If MESA supplemental information is not included with the NOI, by completing Section 1 of this form, the NHESP will require a separate MESA filing which may take up to 90 days to review (unless noted exceptions in Section 2 apply, see below). c. Submit Supplemental Information for Endangered Species Review∗ 1. Percentage/acreage of property to be altered: (a) within wetland Resource Area 0.014 Acres percentage/acreage (b) outside Resource Area percentage/acreage 2. Assessor’s Map or right-of-way plan of site 2. Project plans for entire project site, including wetland resource areas and areas outside of wetlands jurisdiction, showing existing and proposed conditions, existing and proposed tree/vegetation clearing line, and clearly demarcated limits of work ∗∗ (a) Project description (including description of impacts outside of wetland resource area & buffer zone) (b) Photographs representative of the site ∗ Some projects not in Estimated Habitat may be located in Priority Habitat, and require NHESP review (see http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natural-heritage/regulatory-review/). Priority Habitat includes habitat for state-listed plants and strictly upland species not protected by the Wetlands Protection Act. ∗∗ MESA projects may not be segmented (321 CMR 10.16). The applicant must disclose full development plans even if such plans are not required as part of the Notice of Intent process. wpaform3.doc • rev. 3/10/2016 Page 6 of 9 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 3 – Notice of Intent Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 Provided by MassDEP: MassDEP File Number Document Transaction Number Northampton City/Town C. Other Applicable Standards and Requirements (cont’d) (c) MESA filing fee (fee information available at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/regulatory_review/mesa/mesa_fee_schedule.htm). Make check payable to “Commonwealth of Massachusetts - NHESP” and mail to NHESP at above address Projects altering 10 or more acres of land, also submit: (d) Vegetation cover type map of site (e) Project plans showing Priority & Estimated Habitat boundaries (f) OR Check One of the Following 1. Project is exempt from MESA review. Attach applicant letter indicating which MESA exemption applies. (See 321 CMR 10.14, http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/regulatory_review/mesa/mesa_exemptions.htm; the NOI must still be sent to NHESP if the project is within estimated habitat pursuant to 310 CMR 10.37 and 10.59.) 2. Separate MESA review ongoing. a. NHESP Tracking # b. Date submitted to NHESP 3. Separate MESA review completed. Include copy of NHESP “no Take” determination or valid Conservation & Management Permit with approved plan. 3. For coastal projects only, is any portion of the proposed project located below the mean high water line or in a fish run? a. Not applicable – project is in inland resource area only b. Yes No If yes, include proof of mailing, hand delivery, or electronic delivery of NOI to either: South Shore - Cohasset to Rhode Island border, and the Cape & Islands: Division of Marine Fisheries - Southeast Marine Fisheries Station Attn: Environmental Reviewer 1213 Purchase Street – 3rd Floor New Bedford, MA 02740-6694 Email: DMF.EnvReview-South@state.ma.us North Shore - Hull to New Hampshire border: Division of Marine Fisheries - North Shore Office Attn: Environmental Reviewer 30 Emerson Avenue Gloucester, MA 01930 Email: DMF.EnvReview-North@state.ma.us Also if yes, the project may require a Chapter 91 license. For coastal towns in the Northeast Region, please contact MassDEP’s Boston Office. For coastal towns in the Southeast Region, please contact MassDEP’s Southeast Regional Office. wpaform3.doc • rev. 3/10/2016 Page 7 of 9 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 3 – Notice of Intent Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 Provided by MassDEP: MassDEP File Number Document Transaction Number Northampton City/Town C. Other Applicable Standards and Requirements (cont’d) Online Users: Include your document transaction number (provided on your receipt page) with all supplementary information you submit to the Department. 4. Is any portion of the proposed project within an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC)? a. Yes No If yes, provide name of ACEC (see instructions to WPA Form 3 or MassDEP Website for ACEC locations). Note: electronic filers click on Website. b. ACEC 5. Is any portion of the proposed project within an area designated as an Outstanding Resource Water (ORW) as designated in the Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards, 314 CMR 4.00? a. Yes No 6. Is any portion of the site subject to a Wetlands Restriction Order under the Inland Wetlands Restriction Act (M.G.L. c. 131, § 40A) or the Coastal Wetlands Restriction Act (M.G.L. c. 130, § 105)? a. Yes No 7. Is this project subject to provisions of the MassDEP Stormwater Management Standards? a. Yes. Attach a copy of the Stormwater Report as required by the Stormwater Management Standards per 310 CMR 10.05(6)(k)-(q) and check if: 1. Applying for Low Impact Development (LID) site design credits (as described in Stormwater Management Handbook Vol. 2, Chapter 3) 2. A portion of the site constitutes redevelopment 3. Proprietary BMPs are included in the Stormwater Management System. b. No. Check why the project is exempt: 1. Single-family house 2. Emergency road repair 3. Small Residential Subdivision (less than or equal to 4 single-family houses or less than or equal to 4 units in multi-family housing project) with no discharge to Critical Areas. D. Additional Information This is a proposal for an Ecological Restoration Limited Project. Skip Section D and complete Appendix A: Ecological Restoration Notice of Intent – Minimum Required Documents (310 CMR 10.12). Applicants must include the following with this Notice of Intent (NOI). See instructions for details. Online Users: Attach the document transaction number (provided on your receipt page) for any of the following information you submit to the Department. 1. USGS or other map of the area (along with a narrative description, if necessary) containing sufficient information for the Conservation Commission and the Department to locate the site. (Electronic filers may omit this item.) 2. Plans identifying the location of proposed activities (including activities proposed to serve as a Bordering Vegetated Wetland [BVW] replication area or other mitigating measure) relative to the boundaries of each affected resource area. wpaform3.doc • rev. 3/10/2016 Page 8 of 9 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 3 – Notice of Intent Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 Provided by MassDEP: MassDEP File Number Document Transaction Number Northampton City/Town D. Additional Information (cont’d) 3. Identify the method for BVW and other resource area boundary delineations (MassDEP BVW Field Data Form(s), Determination of Applicability, Order of Resource Area Delineation, etc.), and attach documentation of the methodology. 4. List the titles and dates for all plans and other materials submitted with this NOI. a. Plan Title b. Prepared By c. Signed and Stamped by d. Final Revision Date e. Scale f. Additional Plan or Document Title g. Date 5. If there is more than one property owner, please attach a list of these property owners not listed on this form. 6. Attach proof of mailing for Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, if needed. 7. Attach proof of mailing for Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, if needed. 8. Attach NOI Wetland Fee Transmittal Form 9. Attach Stormwater Report, if needed. E. Fees 1. Fee Exempt: No filing fee shall be assessed for projects of any city, town, county, or district of the Commonwealth, federally recognized Indian tribe housing authority, municipal housing authority, or the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Applicants must submit the following information (in addition to pages 1 and 2 of the NOI Wetland Fee Transmittal Form) to confirm fee payment: 111816 2. Municipal Check Number 7/20/16 3. Check date 111812 4. State Check Number 7/20/16 5. Check date Massachusetts Aububon Society 6. Payor name on check: First Name 7. Payor name on check: Last Name wpaform3.doc • rev. 3/10/2016 Page 9 of 9 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands WPA Form 3 – Notice of Intent Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 Provided by MassDEP: MassDEP File Number Document Transaction Number Northampton City/Town F. Signatures and Submittal Requirements I hereby certify under the penalties of perjury that the foregoing Notice of Intent and accompanying plans, documents, and supporting data are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the Conservation Commission will place notification of this Notice in a local newspaper at the expense of the applicant in accordance with the wetlands regulations, 310 CMR 10.05(5)(a). I further certify under penalties of perjury that all abutters were notified of this application, pursuant to the requirements of M.G.L. c. 131, § 40. Notice must be made by Certificate of Mailing or in writing by hand delivery or certified mail (return receipt requested) to all abutters within 100 feet of the property line of the project location. 1. Signature of Applicant 2. Date 3. Signature of Property Owner (if different) 4. Date 5. Signature of Representative (if any) 6. Date For Conservation Commission: Two copies of the completed Notice of Intent (Form 3), including supporting plans and documents, two copies of the NOI Wetland Fee Transmittal Form, and the city/town fee payment, to the Conservation Commission by certified mail or hand delivery. For MassDEP: One copy of the completed Notice of Intent (Form 3), including supporting plans and documents, one copy of the NOI Wetland Fee Transmittal Form, and a copy of the state fee payment to the MassDEP Regional Office (see Instructions) by certified mail or hand delivery. Other: If the applicant has checked the “yes” box in any part of Section C, Item 3, above, refer to that section and the Instructions for additional submittal requirements. The original and copies must be sent simultaneously. Failure by the applicant to send copies in a timely manner may result in dismissal of the Notice of Intent. noifeetf.doc • Wetland Fee Transmittal Form • rev. 10/11 Page 1 of 2 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands NOI Wetland Fee Transmittal Form Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 Important: When filling out forms on the computer, use only the tab key to move your cursor - do not use the return key. A. Applicant Information 1. Location of Project: Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary a. Street Address Northampton b. City/Town c. Check number 110 d. Fee amount 2. Applicant Mailing Address: Jonah a. First Name Keane b. Last Name Mass Audubon's Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary c. Organization 127 Combs Rd d. Mailing Address Easthampton e. City/Town MA f. State 01027 g. Zip Code 413.584.3009 h. Phone Number 413.584.0250 i. Fax Number jkeane@massaudubon.org j. Email Address 3. Property Owner (if different): a. First Name b. Last Name Massachusetts Audubon Society c. Organization 208 South Great Rd d. Mailing Address Lincoln e. City/Town MA f. State 01773 g. Zip Code 781.259.9500 h. Phone Number i. Fax Number j. Email Address To calculate filing fees, refer to the category fee list and examples in the instructions for filling out WPA Form 3 (Notice of Intent). B. Fees Fee should be calculated using the following process & worksheet. Please see Instructions before filling out worksheet. Step 1/Type of Activity: Describe each type of activity that will occur in wetland resource area and buffer zone. Step 2/Number of Activities: Identify the number of each type of activity. Step 3/Individual Activity Fee: Identify each activity fee from the six project categories listed in the instructions. Step 4/Subtotal Activity Fee: Multiply the number of activities (identified in Step 2) times the fee per category (identified in Step 3) to reach a subtotal fee amount. Note: If any of these activities are in a Riverfront Area in addition to another Resource Area or the Buffer Zone, the fee per activity should be multiplied by 1.5 and then added to the subtotal amount. Step 5/Total Project Fee: Determine the total project fee by adding the subtotal amounts from Step 4. Step 6/Fee Payments: To calculate the state share of the fee, divide the total fee in half and subtract $12.50. To calculate the city/town share of the fee, divide the total fee in half and add $12.50. noifeetf.doc • Wetland Fee Transmittal Form • rev. 10/11 Page 2 of 2 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands NOI Wetland Fee Transmittal Form Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 B. Fees (continued) Step 1/Type of Activity Step 2/Number of Activities Step 3/Individual Activity Fee Step 4/Subtotal Activity Fee New trail 1 110 110 Step 5/Total Project Fee: Step 6/Fee Payments: Total Project Fee: 110 a. Total Fee from Step 5 State share of filing Fee: 42.50 b. 1/2 Total Fee less $12.50 City/Town share of filling Fee: 67.50 c. 1/2 Total Fee plus $12.50 C. Submittal Requirements a.) Complete pages 1 and 2 and send with a check or money order for the state share of the fee, payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Department of Environmental Protection Box 4062 Boston, MA 02211 b.) To the Conservation Commission: Send the Notice of Intent or Abbreviated Notice of Intent; a copy of this form; and the city/town fee payment. To MassDEP Regional Office (see Instructions): Send a copy of the Notice of Intent or Abbreviated Notice of Intent; a copy of this form; and a copy of the state fee payment. (E-filers of Notices of Intent may submit these electronically.) Notice of Intent Narrative River Trail Re-Route Project Mass Audubon’s Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, Northampton, MA Mass Audubon, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Recreational Trails Program, proposes the re-routing of a portion of the River Trail at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. The project will move approximately 300 feet of pedestrian trail away from the Mill River to higher ground. Background Mass Audubon received a Recreation Trails Education Grant to conduct a trail building and stewardship training series consisting of three workshops: Trail Building and Stewardship Skills, Working with Stone, and Chainsaw Use and Safety. The primary goal of the trainings is to teach conservation professionals, friends groups, and volunteers best practices in trail maintenance and construction, including high- quality and ecologically minded trail stewardship. The Trail Building and Stewardship Skills training is a three-day workshop that would include the proposed River Trail Re-Route. The goal of this workshop is to use a real-life project to teach new trail survey, design, and construction, bridge construction, and trail closures. The River Trail Re-Route is a priority project for Mass Audubon staff looking to move the trail out of a wet area and meets the needs of the workshop. The Site The River Trail parallels the Mill River on its west bank from the Old Trolley Line Trail to Old Coach Trail, approximately one third of a mile. The start of the current River Trail from the Old Trolley Line headed north quickly descends to a low terrace in the first 40 feet, and 100 feet further north crosses through a small drainage, including an intermittent stream and bordering vegetated wetland. While the first 280 feet of the trail is low enough to flood each year in the spring, only the section near the intermittent stream remains saturated for most of the year. Dominant vegetation in this wet area includes jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), and cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea). The adjacent forest includes sugar maple (Acer saccharum), white ash (Fraxinus americana), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), black birch (Betula lenta), red oak (Quercus rubra), basswood (Tilia americana), and bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis). Shrubs and saplings are sparsely scattered through the area and include witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) and musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana). The herbaceous layer is dense, and dominated by New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis), with hay-scented fern (Dennstadtia punctilobula), sensitive fern, lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), and other species occurring. The proposed trail relocation would veer northwest prior to the decent to the floodplain (Point A on River Trail Re-Route Project Map) and continue on higher ground for 176 feet before reaching the slope above the intermittent stream (Point B). This would be the site of a 25-foot dimensional lumber pedestrian bridge. The new trail would continue for another 103 feet north of the far side of the bridge and connect to a high point on the current trail (Point C). Scope of Work Two professional trail builders and a team of land management professionals and volunteers will complete the work over the course of two consecutive days in September 2016. The trail builders will oversee all of the work completed. Mass Audubon staff will be on site to provide additional oversight. Trail closure – 305 feet of the current River Trail will be closed and the intermittent stream will be cleared of any larger debris (mostly branches) that have been placed there by hikers to cross the wet area. Forest floor debris will be placed in the trail and hardy, abundant, native plants (e.g. New York and hay-scented ferns) will be transplanted to the trail so users will not be able to recognize the area as a former trail. Trail construction – Using only hand tools, 279 feet of new trail will be made by clearing organic material from the surface. A trail corridor will be cleared using loppers for trimming branches. No trees or shrubs larger than an inch in diameter will be removed. Bridge construction – A 25-foot bridge will be constructed spanning the bank over the intermittent stream and bordering wetland. The deck of the bridge will be approximately three feet above the channel bed, and will not interfere with the stream or wetland; no vegetation clearing or soil disturbance will be needed within the wetland or bank either to install or maintain the bridge. The bridge has not yet been designed but attached is a design of a similar, though shorter, dimensional lumber bridge. The River Trail bridge will have railings which the attached design does not show. Resource Areas The work site is within two wetland resource areas: - Riverfront Area, associated with the Mill River. - Bordering Land Subject to Flooding, associated with the Mill River There will also be restoration work resulting in improved resource areas in and around: - Bank, associated with an intermittent stream tributary to the Mill River - Bordering Vegetated Wetland, along the intermittent stream The intent of the project is to reduce the impact of the pedestrian trail to this important and sensitive area. By moving the trail to higher ground, hikers will be directed away from Riverfront Area and avoid walking through one of the wettest portions of the Arcadia trail network. The new trail route will bridge over Bank and is entirely outside of Bordering Vegetated Wetland. No part of the proposed work would affect the flood storage capacity of the Bordering Land Subject to Flooding. Priority Habitat The project site is in priority habitat for several rare species including plants, insects, and reptiles. Rare insects and reptiles and their habitat will not be disturbed by this project. No rare plants were found on the site of the proposed project. Prior to starting work on the project, Mass Audubon’s regional scientist will survey the project site again for rare plants. If encountered, the plant location will be flagged and a 25-foot buffer will be flagged around the plant. No work will occur within a rare plant buffer zone. New trail location Current trail through drainage area Current trail descending toward Mill River Site of 25-foot bridge River Trail Re-Route Project –Context Map Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary Northampton, MA Proposed Project Site Arcadia Boundary A C B River Trail Re-Route Project Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary Northampton, MA Current Trail Proposed Trail A C B River Trail Re-Route Project –LiDAR Map Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary Northampton, MA Current Trail Proposed Trail LiDAR Map Color Key Purple, blue, green and yellow colors on the basemap indicate the elevation gradient with purple lowest and yellow highest. A C B River Trail Re-Route Project –Priority Habitat Map Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary Northampton, MA Current Trail Proposed Trail Priority Habitat for Rare Species Example Bridge Design. The River Trail bridge will be longer and have railings.