604597 NOI - Cover Letter for NHESP_with Encl.pdf TranSystems
101 Arch Street
Suite 301
Boston, MA 02110
Tel 857 453 5483
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[1]
March 21, 2018
Sarah LaValley
Conservation, Preservation, and Land Use Planner
Planning & Sustainability
210 Main St., Room 11
City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
RE: Notice of Intent – NHESP No Take Letter
Improvements on I-91 Interchange 19 at Route 9 and Damon Road
MassDOT # 604597
Northampton, MA
TranSystems Project Number: P701070053
Dear Conservation Commission members,
As a supplement to the Notice of Intent for the subject project, enclosed please find a letter
dated March 1, 2018 from Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife to the MassDOT –
Highway Division. The letter states the project will not result in a prohibited Take of state-
listed rare species. This letter was received after the Notice of Intent was printed, and not
initially included. As a place holder for this letter, an email from MassDOT to NHESP for filing
the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) Review Checklist was included.
Also, per the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, M.G.L. Chapter 131, Section 40, abutter
notification is not required for projects proposed by MassDOT pursuant to St. 1993, c. 472 as
approved on January 13, 1994.
Please contact me for any questions.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Rieger, PE
Civil Engineer
Encl: Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Letter to MassDOT dated March 1, 2018.
Cc: Mark Stinson, MassDEP Western Regional Office (electronic only);
Susan McArthur, MassDOT – Highway Division (electronic only);
Robert Natario, MassDOT – Highway Division, Environmental (electronic only)
March 01, 2018
Adam Shoukimas
MassDOT- Highway Division
10 Park Plaza- Room 4260
Boston MA 02116
RE: Project Location: I-91, Route 9, Damon Rd.
Project Description: DOT- I-91 on/off ramps and roundabout
NHESP File No.: 18-37544
Dear Applicant:
Thank you for submitting the MESA Project Review Checklist, site plans (dated Feb. 2 2018) and other
required materials to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program of the MA Division of
Fisheries & Wildlife (the “Division”) for review pursuant to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act
(MESA) (MGL c.131A) and its implementing regulations (321 CMR 10.00).
Based on a review of the information that was provided and the information that is currently contained
in our database, the Division has determined that this project, as currently proposed, will not result in a
prohibited Take of state-listed rare species. This determination is a final decision of the Division of
Fisheries & Wildlife pursuant to 321 CMR 10.18. Any changes to the proposed project or any additional
work beyond that shown on the site plans may require an additional filing with the Division pursuant to
the MESA. This project may be subject to further review if no physical work is commenced within five
years from the date of issuance of this determination, or if there is a change to the project.
Please note that this determination addresses only the matter of state-listed species and their habitats.
If you have any questions regarding this letter please contact Melany Cheeseman, Endangered Species
Review Assistant, at (508) 389-6357.
Sincerely,
Thomas W. French, Ph.D.
Assistant Director