246-0723DATE:September 10, 2018 Municipality NORTHAMPTON
(city/town)
RE: NOTIFICATION OF WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT FILE NUMBER
The Department of Environmental Protection has received a Notice of Intent filed in accordance with the
Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 131, §40):
Applicant:
Address:
LOCUS:
SYNCARPHA SOLAR LLC
250 WEST 57TH STREET SUITRE 701
PARK HILL ROAD
Owner:JKB FARMS
Address:41 SCHOOL STREET
HATFIELD, MA, 02116
This project has been assigned the following file # :WE 246-0723
Although a file # is being issued, please note the following:
Commissioner
MARTIN SUUBERG
Secretary
MATTHEW A. BEATON
Lieutenant Governor
KARYN E. POLITO
Governor
CHARLES D. BAKER
A FILE NUMBER ONLY INDICATES THAT THE APPLICATION CONTAINS THE MINIMAL
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS AND IS ADMINISTRATIVELY COMPLETE - NOT THAT
THE INFORMATION IN THE APPLICATION IS ADEQUATE FOR ISSUANCE OF AN ORDER
OF CONDITIONS.
436 DWIGHT STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01103 413-784-1100
WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
NEW YORK, NY 10107
[1] Several locations in the NOI narrative speak of 200 Riverfront buffer. It should be noted the entirely of the 200
foot is a resource area.
[2] As submitted, the work does not appear to comply with the Riverfront regulations at 310 CMR 10.58(4). An
alternatives analysis must be submitted for any work submitted under the new development section of the
regulations for work in Riverfront. The scope of alternatives for a commercial project such as this is any other land
which can reasonably be obtained within the municipality.
[3] Information on cost, existing technology (including using higher efficiency panels), the proposed use and
logistics is required. See 310 CMR 10.58(4)(c)1.
[4] If this is the only piece of land in Northampton that can be reasonably obtained, then the Commission still has
the ability to remove all work from the Riverfront. The purpose of evaluating project alternatives is to locate
activities so that impacts to the riverfront area are avoided to the extent practicable. Projects within the scope of
alternatives must be evaluated to determine whether any are practicable. As much of a project as feasible shall be
sited outside the riverfront area. If siting of a project entirely outside the riverfront area is not practicable, the
This information is available in alternate format. Call Donald M. Gomes, ADA Coordinator at 617-556-1057. TDD# 1-866-539-7622 or 1-617-574-6868.
http://www.mass.gov/dep
Printed on Recycled Paper
SYNCARPHA SOLAR LLC
250 WEST 57TH STREET SUITRE 701
NEW YORK, NY 10107
alternatives shall be evaluated to locate the project as far as possible from the river. If there is a practicable and
substantially equivalent economic alternative with less adverse effects, the proposed work shall be denied and the
applicant may either withdraw the Notice of Intent or receive an Order of Conditions for the alternative, provided the
applicant submitted sufficient information on the alternative in the Notice of Intent.
[5] The Stormwater report cannot be used unless actual soil analysis is conducted onsite. One cannot model
stormwater without confirming actual soil type. Per Volume 3 Chapter 1 of the stormwater handbook, a Competent
Soils Professional conducts a site visit to verify soil conditions on the site. Please see Table 2.3.1.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact: MARK STINSON @ (413)-755-2257
Cc: Northampton Conservation Commission, CITY HALL, 210 MAIN STREEET RM 11, Northampton, MA, 01060
Owner: JKB Farms, 41 School Street, HATFIELD, MA, 02116
Representative: Beals Associates, Inc., 2 Park Plaza, BOSTON, MA, 02116
This information is available in alternate format. Call Donald M. Gomes, ADA Coordinator at 617-556-1057. TDD# 1-866-539-7622 or 1-617-574-6868.
http://www.mass.gov/dep
Printed on Recycled Paper