2021.06.24 Staff Report.pdf
Conservation Commission Staff Report 1 June 24, 2021
To: Conservation Commission From: Sarah LaValley RE: Staff Report, June 24, 2021 Commission Meeting
5:30 PM Request for Determination of Applicability to determine if roadway and
pedestrian improvements are subject to the Wetlands Protection Act or Northampton
Wetlands Ordinance. Northampton Office of Planning & Sustainability, Pleasant St
right-of-way
Application Overview: Work proposed includes continuation of multi-modal transportation improvements completed on
Pleasant Street. The project includes plantings, sidewalks, bike lanes, and other improvements, and will take place partly within riverfront area of the historic Mill River, which begins where it exits a pipe east of
Pleasant Street near Hockanum Road, before being piped under the railroad.
Consistency with the Wetlands Protection Act and Northampton Wetlands Ordinance, Staff Recommendation:
Staff-assisted application, no specific recommendation. If the Commission agrees that the work will not impact the historic Mill River once it exits the pipe to the east of the work area, a negative determination
can be issued by checking the boxes indicated in the application.
5:40 PM Request for Determination of Applicability to determine if installation of an
irrigation pump in the Mill River is subject to the Wetlands Protection
Act/Northampton Wetlands Ordinance, and if it will alter an area subject to protection. Grow Food Northampton, 145 Meadow St, Parcel 22B-067. Application Overview:
The application proposes installation of a 125 cc gas-powered water pump to draw water from the Mill
River. Water will be used for field irrigation in summer, and drawn from the river with a two-inch suction
hose. The pump is proposed to be placed on a movable trailer that will be moved away from the river
when not in use. The proposed withdrawal does not meet thresholds for DEP Water Management Act
review (10,0000 gpd, or 9,000,000 gallons in 3 months). Agricultural uses are not subject to the City’s
water restriction policy. The project is located within estimated and priority habitat, but is an exempt
activity.
Consistency with the WPA and Northampton Wetlands Ordinance: The pump is proposed as a new agricultural use, so cannot be considered as an exemption for
maintenance of an existing use. The Commission issued a similar negative determination in 2013, but the
pump may not have been utilized within the past five years as part of farm operations. In addition to direct disturbances, alterations also include ‘the lowering of the water level or water table.’ The project
proposes to draw no more than 10,000 gallons per day. The lowest monthly average Mill River discharge
in summer months during the past ten years was 10.0, or 6,451,200 gallons per day. At this low-flow condition, the irrigation pump will draw 0.1% of the River’s daily flow. At 225 gallons per minute, the
pump’s maximum output, the withdrawal would be five percent of the River’s discharge. At more typical conditions, the pump would withdraw .01% of daily flow, and one percent of discharge at any point. Real-world operating conditions of the system will reduce the pumps efficiency and lower these numbers.
Staff Recommendations:
The amount of water proposed to be seasonally withdrawn seems unlikely to impact water levels in the
Mill River. A negative determination can be issued by checking box 2 to indicate that the work is within
Conservation Commission Staff Report 2
April 8, 2021
an area subject to protection under the Act, but will not remove, fill, dredge, or alter that area. Conditions suggested: 1. A sieve to must remain on the hose at all times. 2. Irrigation pumping shall not exceed 10,000 gallons per day. A monitoring meter must be installed on the pump. 3. If the applicant observes that pumping is affecting water or turbidity levels in the river, pumping shall be discontinued immediately and the Commission notified. 4. No pumping shall occur if the USGS Mill River streamgage 01171500 indicates a discharge of 5cfs or below. (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ma/nwis/uv?site_no=01171500) 5. The applicant shall notify the Commission if pumping occurs during any Department of Recreation-declared drought advisory or drought level status in the Connecticut River Region. (http://www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply/rainfall/drought.htm)