Maintenance of King St Brook Diversion Channelr
Submitted to:
Proponent:
Prepared By:
NOTICE OF PROJECT CHANGE
EOEA NO. 12453
MAINTENANCE OF THE KING STREET BROOK
DIVERSION CHANNEL
NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
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SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
Attn: MEPA Unit
251 Causeway Street, 9th Floor
Boston, MA 02114 -2150
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
Department Of Public Works
125 Locus Street
Northampton, MA 01060
BAYSTATE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS, INC.
296 N. Main Street
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
SEPTEMBER 2001
September 7, 2001
Secretary of Environmental Affairs
Attn: MEPA Unit
251 Causeway Street, 9th Floor
Boston, MA 02114 -2150
Re: Notice of Project Change
EOEA No. 12453
Maintenance of the King Street Brook Diversion Channel, Northampton,
Massachusetts.
Dear EOEA:
Enclosed please find a Notice of Project Change for the above referenced
project. An Environmental Notification Form (ENF) was previously reviewed
for this project, and the MEPA Certificate required that an Environmental
Impact Report (EIR) be completed for the proposed full project scope. At this
time, funding necessary to proceed with preparation of the EIR document have
not been secured by the Proponent; however, funding is in place for the
construction of the sedimentation basin, which is a small component of the
previously reviewed overall project. Construction of the sedimentation basin is
a project component that will lead to immediate flooding relief and is not a
significant factor in the thresholds which led to either the need to prepare an
ENF or and EIR. For the sedimentation basin alone, no MEPA threshold is met
or exceeded.
With regards to project segmentation, the change in project scope has not been
proposed to avoid meeting or exceeding ENF Thresholds. The Proponent is
well aware that to accomplish the full project scope, as previously reviewed, the
EIR document must be prepared and reviewed under MEPA. The proposed
sediment basin will not result in below threshold impacts for the remaining
segments of the previously reviewed maintenance program; therefore, the
change in scope does not circumvent the MEPA Regulations, 301 CMR 11.00,
and the thresholds established therein. The Proponent is seeking to appropriate
the necessary funding for the EIR in the near future and will complete MEPA
review of those portions of the project which exceed thresholds, consisting of
the excavation of sediments from 1,630 linear feet of King Street Brook
Diversion Channel and 565 feet of a tributary from the Carlon Drive detention
basin..
As the representative for the Proponent, BEC has submitted the NPC Form to describe the
proposed changes to the previously reviewed project scope. The ENF plan set has been revised
and enclosed as a reference document. If we can be of further assistance, please contact our office
at your earliest convenience.
Very truly yours,
BEC, Inc.
Daniel M. Nitzsche
Enviroiunental Scientist
encl. NPC Form with Support Documents
cc: See Revised Distribution List
Secretary of Environmental Affairs
_Septenzber: 2001
Page 2 of 2
Project Name: Maintenance of the King Street Brook I
Diversion Channel
EOEA 12453
Street: Off State Street and Norwottuck Rail Trail,
Municipality: Northampton
Watershed: Connecticut
Universal Tranverse Mercator Coordinates:
UTM NAD 83 meters
X: 6 94 463 Y: 46 89 044
Latitude: 42° 32' 93" N
Longitude: 72° 62' 77" W
Status of project construction: 0 %complete
Proponent: Department of Public Works
Street: 125 Locus Street
Municipality: Northampton
State: MA
Zip Code: 01060
Name of Contact Person From Whom Copies of this NPC May Be Obtained:
Daniel M. Nitzsche
Firm /Agency: BEC Inc.
Street: 296 North Main Street
Municipality: East Longmeadow
State: MA
Zip Code: 01028
Phone: (413) 525 -3822
Fax: (413) 525 -8348
E -mail: dnitzsche @b e c.com
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NPC
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs MEPA Office
Notice of Project Change
The information requested on this form must be completed to begin MEPA Review of a NPC in
accordance with the provisions of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act and its
implementing regulations (see 301 CMR 11.10(1)).
In 25 words or less, what is the project change? The project change involves a
reduced project scope that includes the construction ofa sediment basin and no
MEPA threshold is met or exceeded by the proposed project change.
See full project change description beginning on page 3.
Date of ENF filing or publication in the Environmental Monitor:
Was an EIR required? Yes ❑No; if yes,
was a Draft EIR filed? ❑Yes (Date:
was a Final EIR filed? ❑Yes (Date:
was a Single EIR filed? Yes (Date:
Have other NPCs been filed? ❑Yes (Date(s):
No
No
No
®No
For Office Use Only
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
MEPA Analyst:
Phone: 617 -626-
If this is a NPC solely for lapse of time (see 301 CMR 11.10(2)) proceed directly to
May 2001
Summary of Project Size
Environmental Impacts
Previously
reviewed
Net Change
Currently
Proposed
LAND
Total site acreage
4.3
3.8± AC
0.5± AC.
Acres of land altered
N/A
0.06± AC
0.06± AC
Acres of impervious area
0.05± AC
0
0.05± AC
Square feet of bordering vegetated
wetlands alteration
2000± S.F.
310 S.F.
1230 S.F. perm.
460 S.F. temp.
Square feet of other wetland alteration
N/A
N/A
N/A
Acres of non -water dependent use of
tidelands or waterways
N/A
N/A
N/A
STRUCTURES
Gross square footage
N/A
N/A
N/A
Number of housing units
N/A
N/A
N/A
Maximum height (in feet)
N/A
N/A
N/A
TRANSPORTATION
Vehicle trips per day
N/A
N/A
N/A
Parking spaces
N/A
N/A
N/A
WATER/WASTEWATER
Gallons /day (GPD) of water use
N/A
N/A
N/A
GPD water withdrawal
N/A
N/A
N/A
GPD wastewater generation/ treatment
N/A
N/A
N/A
Length of water /sewer mains (in miles)
N/A
N/A
N/A
"ATTACHMENTS SIGNATURES" on page 4. Not Applicable
PERMITS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE LAND TRANSFER
List or describe all new or modified state permits, financial assistance, or and transfers not
previously reviewed: Not Applicable
Are you requesting a finding that this project change is insignificant? (see 301 CMR 11.10(6))
❑Yes ®No; if yes, attach justification.
Are you requesting that a Scope in a previously issued Certificate be rescinded?
fYes El No; if yes, attach the Certificate
Are you requesting a change to a Scope in a previously issued Certificate? ❑Yes ®No; if
yes, attach Certificate and describe the change you are requesting:
2
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Under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (MA WPA) and as regulated under the City of Northampton
Wetland Protection Ordinance the proposed work will impact Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW) and Bank
resource. The proposed resource area impacts are in compliance with the performance standards outlined in 310
CMR 10.55 (BVW) and 310 CMR 10.54 (Bank).
L_)
Does the project change involve any new or modified:
1. conversion of public parkland or other Article 97 public natural resources to any purpose
not in accordance with Article 97? EYes No
2. release of any conservation restriction, preservation restriction, agricultural
preservation restriction, or watershed preservation restriction? Yes No
3. impacts on Estimated Habitat of Rare Species, Vernal Pools, Priority Sites of Rare
Species, or Exemplary Natural Communities? nYes No
4. impact on any structure, site or district listed in the State Register of Historic Place or
the inventory of Historic and Archaeological Assets of the Commonwealth?
❑Yes ®No; if yes, does the project involve any demolition or destruction of any listed or
inventoried historic or archaeological resources? ❑Yes ❑No
5. impact upon an Area of Critical Environmental Concern? ❑Yes No
If you answered 'Yes' to any of these 5 questions, explain below:
PROJECT CHANGE DESCRIPTION (attach additional pages as necessary). The project change
description should include:
(a) a brief description of the project as most recently reviewed
(b) a description of material changes to the project as previously reviewed,
(c) the significance of the proposed changes, with specific reference to the factors listed 301
CMR 11.10(6), and
(d) measures that the project is taking to avoid damage to the environment or to minimize
and mitigate unavoidable environmental impacts. If the change will involve modification of any
previously issued Section 61 Finding, include a proposed modification of the Section 61 Finding (or
it will be required in a Supplemental EIR).
Introduction
The City of Northampton through its Department of Public Works (NDPW) is proposing to control sediment
loading into the King Street Brook Diversion Channel (KSBDC) by constructing an accessible sedimentation basin
in line with the KSBDC, thus augmenting current sediment trapping efforts within the watershed. The proposed
work will consist of an excavated pool immediately downstream of the Northampton Bikeway embankment and
cross culvert. The quiescent area to be excavated below the flowline of the diversion channel will provide for
trapping of suspended sediments and will significantly reduce flooding and drainage impacts to abutting properties.
The sediment basin will be accessed from a new ramp to be constructed from the bikeway. The access ramp will
assist in preventing the flow of waters from the KSBDC into the Stop Shop detention basin. Regular
maintenance of the proposed basin, by removal of the accumulated sediments, will help to preserve the hydraulic
capacity of the 4'x4' box culvert by keeping it unobstructed and free of debris.
Proposed Work
The NDPW is proposing to create an accessible sedimentation basin in line with the KSBDC. This will consist of
excavating a pool immediately downstream of the bikeway embankment and cross culvert. The excavated basin
will be lined with riprap and provide slope protection at a 2:1 slope to a gabion retaining wall.
A ten -foot wide bituminous concrete access ramp will be constructed from the bikeway to the basin at a 12% grade.
This ramp will provide access to the basin so that collected sediments can be periodically removed. The ramp will
also serve to prevent the flow of waters from the KSBDC into the Stop Shop detention basin. The sediments
3
collected within the basin will be dewatered in place, removed by excavator, and transported to the Northampton
Sanitary Landfill by truck to be beneficially reused as daily cover
Construction access will be from the bikeway, entering at the end of State Street. Construction of access ramp,
I gabion retaining wall, and riprap areas will require the filling of 1230 S.F. of BVW. Impacts are being compensated
for by greater than 1:1 wetland replacement.
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A temporary cofferdam with a pump system will be used to dewater the work area when flows are at a minimum.
All work shall be conducted during low flow conditions: The contractor shall discontinue construction in the event
of a significant storm event where flows exceed the capacity of the pump system. The adjacent land will be graded
as specified; all disturbed soils shall receive a minimum of 4" of loam and shall be seeded and mulched to stabilize
disturbed soils.
Mitigation
A 1400 S.F. replacement wetland is being proposed to mitigate the loss of BVW associated with the proposed
project. An upland "island" area, to the west of the proposed work, has been selected as the area to replace the lost
wetlands. This forested area will be cleared of vegetation and the grade lowered to be consistent with the adjacent
wetland. This area will be planted with wetland shrubs, that will provide food and cover for local wildlife
populations. The remaining exposed soils will be covered will a New England wetland seed mix.
A temporary wetland crossing will be necessary to construct the replacement wetland. A fifteen -foot wide access
corridor will be established from the bikeway down to an eight -foot wide strip of BVW, where the temporary
crossing will be constructed. The existing vegetation at the crossing area will be cut flush with the ground surface
and overlain with two protective layers of geotextile filter fabric. A minimum of eight inches of crushed stone will
be place around the 12 -inch temporary culvert.
(b) The changed project scope is a significant reduction in the total impact proposed
under the ENF application.
(c) With regards to 301 CMR 11.10(6): a. The project scope has been reduced and not
expanded. No MEPA threshold is met or exceeded by the project change; b. No increase in
impact, only a decrease; c. The commencement date would be revised late September
2001; d. The proposed sediment basin is limited to limited to the first 80 linear feet of the
King Street Brook, north of the culvert crossing at the bike trail; e. N /A; f. The proposed
changes will increase protection of the wetland resource area by reducing sedimentation;
and, g. N /A.
(d) N/A
(a) ATTACHMENTS SIGNATURES
Attachments:
1. Secretary's most recent Certificate on this project
2. Plan showing most recent previously- reviewed proposed build condition
3. Plan showing currently proposed build condition
4. Original U.S.G.S. map or good quality color copy (8 -1/2 x 11 inches or larger) indicating the
project location and boundaries
5. List of all agencies and persons to whom the proponent circulated the NPC, in accordance with
301 CMR 11.10(7)
Signatures:
Signa ure
or Proponent
Guilford Mooring
Name (print or type)
Northampton DPW
Firm /Agency
(413) 586 -6950
Phone Phone
7/10 d/ 444 7 4 1, 7
Officer Date Signature o person p ep g
NPC (if different from above)
Daniel M. Nizsche
Name (print or type)
Baystate Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Firm /Agency
125 Locus Street 296 N. Main Street
Street Street
Northampton, MA 01060 East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Municipality /State /Zip Municipality /State /Zip
(413) 525 -3822
5
ATTACHMENTS
for
NOTICE OF PROJECT CHANGE
Maintenance of the King Street Brook Diversion Channel
Northampton, Massachusetts
MAINTENANCE OF THE
KING STREET BROOK
DIVERSION CHANNEL
NORTHAMPTON, MA
Baystate Environmental Consultants, Inc.
East Longmeadow, MA
0.2
0
0.2 Miles
LEGEND
Q Project Location
FIGURE 1- LOCUS MAP
USGS Quad Imager, MrSID Forman Scanned by MarsGIS at 250 dots per Inc!: 256 colors.
Converted from tiff to .sid format Source dates 1979 EASTHAMPTON MT HOLYOKE QUADRANGLES.
fl
I,
L _J
L
WETLAND
BOUNDARY
EXISTING 7A
VVALL
4 X 4' BOX
CULVERT
"11
nre
Civil Engineers
298 North Nob, Street
BAYSTATE ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSULTANTS INC.
Environmental Scientists
Easi Longmeadow, IAA 01028
KING STREET BROOK
DIVERSIONCHANNEL
.(TO BE EXCAVATED)
WETLAND
BOUNDARY--/
STOP SHOP
DETENTION
POND
PROP. RAMP TO
ACCESS BASIN FOR'
MAINTENANCE
PROPOSED
SEDIMENTATION BASIN
Scale: 1" 40'±
.1
AL PI
Figure 2
King
%or
Existing Stop Shop
Deterition osin
■IMENTAL
INC.
al Scientists
dow, 88 01028
rook—
Existing
4x4'Bo)(
Location of
Proposed
s yd t
e imen ation Basin
10
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11,
1;
11T
PROPOSED PLAN FOR <ING STREET BROOK S
Scale: 1" 200'±
Previously Submitted
ENF Narrative Description
for
King Street Brook Diversion Channel
Northampton, MA
The City of Northampton through its Department of Public Works (NDPW) is proposing to
maintain 1,630± LF of the King Street Brook Diversion Channel (KSBDC) and 565± LF of
additional ditch/swale by excavating accumulated sediments to restore hydraulic capacity. The
project will also include construction of a sedimentation basin to collect future stormwater sediments
and help maintain the function of the KSBDC. Project description plans are included in Appendix
C. Currently, sediment and debris constrict the channel downstream of the culvert under the
Norwottuck Bike Trail, and King Street Brook and divert flow away from the KSBDC and onto
private, developed property. Impacted areas also include the Stop Shop and Carlon Drive
detention basins. The proposed action is consistent with historical maintenance of the KSBDC, as
described in Appendix D.
Project Component 1 involves excavation of the accumulated sediment and debris from the
KSBDC. The material to be excavated is composed of fine sands and silt, with a high organic
content. Analytical results for two sediment samples showed that the sediments contain elevated
levels of PAHs (see Appendix E). The channel will be excavated by approximately 2 feet to attain
the approximate elevations that existed on the effective date of the Massachusetts Inland Wetland
Protection Regulations, 310 CMR 10.51 -10.60 (April 1, 1983).
Project Component 2 will create an accessible sedimentation basin in line with the KSBDC,
located immediately downstream of the bike trail embankment and cross culvert. The quiescent area
to be excavated below the flowline of the diversion channel will provide for trapping of suspended
sediments. The sediments to be excavated are medium to coarse sand. Analytical results for one
sediment sample showed that there are elevated levels of PAHs (see Appendix E). A new access
ramp to the basin will be constructed that will also prevent the flow of waters from the KSBDC into
the Stop Shop detention basin.
Project Component 3 is the proposed excavation of a trapezoidal channel from the cleared
KSBDC to the outlet of the Carlon Drive detention basin in order to improve drainage in this area.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS
No Action The No Action alternative will lead to increased occurrences of significant and
damaging flooding of the KSBDC upstream of the bike trail and adjacent private land.
Diversion of King Street Brook This alternative involves a below grade diversion of King
Street Brook away from the Barrett Street marsh and towards the Connecticut River. This option
would be extremely costly, requiring significant easements across private land and extensive
excavation and construction within highly developed areas.
Excavation of the Diversion Channel This alternative is a viable option for restoring the
hydraulic capacity of the KSBDC. A concrete weir was constructed in 1997 at Barrett Street to
control water levels within the diversion channel. The accumulated sediments and debris have
caused the water elevations to be much higher than the weir (see Appendix C). It is proposed to
initially excavate the diversion channel starting at an elevation 6" lower than the weir and proceeding
upstream at a 0.03% slope. This will provide for nominal channel capacity with the water level at the
height of the weir. As indicated in Appendix E, the sediments and organic debris to be removed
from the channel are of very low density (77 pcf) and high water content (65% by weight).
Immediately downstream of the bike trail culvert, the sediments were found to be more dense and
granular in nature, consisting primarily of medium to coarse sands.
Excavation of the downstream portions of the channel presents technical challenges due limited
access and the character of the low-density materials to be removed. The following excavation
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techniques have been considered:
Conventional excavation by dragline or excavator: Under this akemative, the materials would be
excavated and deposited in a windrow adjacent to the channel. This option was discarded due to the
negative environmental effects associated with allowing the sediments to remain in a large mass
adjacent to the channel.
Conventional excavation by dragline or excavator, with removal of excavated materials: This
alternative involves excavation by dragline or excavator, followed by sediment transport to a landfill
or other disposal akematives. This alternative requires construction of an access road and was
discarded due to the high cost of constructing the access road, impacts to wetlands, and the
anticipated difficulty in handling the sediments of high water content.
Hydraulic excavation: This methodology utilizes the water within the channel to transport the
sediments in a slurry (typically 10 solids) to a dewatering area (belt filter presses or centrifuges).
The dewatered sediments would be disposed of and the excess water returned to the channel.
Hydraulic excavation requires the waterbody to supply sufficient water to create a slurry for sediment
transport. As King Street Brook is intermittent, the technical challenges of this approach render this
alternative impractical.
Excavation by rotary ditcher: Rotary ditching involves the use of mechanical equipment that
simultaneously excavates the sediments and sprays them across the adjacent land surface. The rotary
ditcher throws the finely tilled earth 50 feet or more, thus eliminating the need for spoils leveling or
removal. The ditcher can be mounted on the arm of a hydraulic excavator, and the channel
excavation can proceed with the excavator travelling alongside the channel. This is the preferred
methodology for the excavation of the main body of the KSBDC and for the creation of the
drainage channel leading to the C'nrlon Drive detention basin.
Sedimentation Basin: A sedimentation basin will be constructed under the proposed
excavation alternative. Upstream of the bike trail culvert, King Street Brook and its tributary
network are relatively steep in gradient and capable of carrying a significant sediment load. Once the
flow enters the flat gradient of the diversion channel, the heavier sediments are deposited in the area
immediately downstream of the bike trail culvert. This area has been selected as appropriate for an
inline sedimentation basin. By providing a basin for the sediments to accumulate below the normal
Bowline of the diversion channel, the hydraulic capacity of the bike trail culvert and the brook can be
preserved. It is assumed that the granular sediments in this area will be dewatered in place, removed
by excavator, and transported to the Northampton Sanitary Landfill for beneficial reuse as daily
cover.
WETLAND IMPACT AND MITIGATION
Soil and Sediment Deposition: Excavation of accumulated sediments within the existing
KSBDC ditch and side channel/swale by rotary ditcher will be conducted such that the channel
deposits will be evenly broadcast along both sides of the channels. The proposed excavation will re-
establish the pre-existing KSBDC drainage channel with a typical cross section of twelve feet wide
and two feet deep, with 1:1 side slopes and an average cross-sectional area of 20 square feet. The
total in-situ sediment volume to be excavated from the KSBDC is approximately 1,200 cubic yards,
and would result in a dry thickness of 0.8 to 0.9 inches if spread evenly across the land surface for 50
feet each side of the channel. The proposed channel to the C'nrlon Drive detention basin has a cross-
sectional area of 8 square feet (excavation of 170 cubic yards), yet will result in a depositional area an
average of 1" in thickness, due to the higher density of the sediments. The discharge of these
sediments is not anticipated to have long-term negative impacts on the vegetation or soil morphology
within the depositional areas. Rotary ditching is the methodology preferred by the U.S. Anny Corps
of Engineers when ditching is necessary within wetland areas, as the sediments are distributed in a
thin layer in surrounding wetlands and low-pressure equipment can be used.
Lowering of Water Levels: Excavation of the KSBDC and the side channel/swale to the
C Drive detention basin will restore pre-existing hydrology within portions of the marsh area.
Due to the low permeability of the soils and limited depth of excavation, broader scale hydrologic
effects are anticipated to be minimal. The current water surface level within the diversion channel is
approximately at the ground surface, and the proposed excavation will lower water levels by an
average of 2 feet. The ellipse equation (Natural Resources and Conservation Service, SCS Field
Engineering Manual, 1969), used to gauge this action's zone of influence, is an accepted design
methodology for subsurface drains to be used in dewatering of agricultural areas. Calculations
performed by BEC indicated that the lateral effects of lowering the water levels will extend for
several feet to each side of the channels (See Appendix F). Given the groundwater wicking
properties of existing marsh soils and the maximum depression of water levels within the KSBDC,
there is not anticipated to be any loss of hydrology that would result in a change from wetland to
upland conditions. However, the area adjacent to the ditch may be able to support woody wetland
vegetation, which ultimately would provide greater shading to the water flow in the ditch and
improve wetland wildlife habitat diversity in the marsh.
Wetland Fill: Construction of the sedimentation basin at the culvert outfall will require a
wetland fill of approximately 2,000 square feet associated with the construction of the access ramp,
gabion retaining wall, and riprap areas. As part of the project, a wetland replacement plan will be
developed in consultation with the Northampton Conservation Commission during the project
permitting phase.
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ARGEO PAUL CELLUCCI
GOVERNOR
JANE SWIFT
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
BOB DURAND
SECRETARY
PROJECT NAME
PROJECT MUNICIPALITY
PROJECT WATERSHED
EOEA NUMBER
PROJECT PROPONENT
DATE NOTICED IN MONITOR
SzectWve elice o
Jai& 900
t/ga02114 -2119
<9 Printed on Recycled Stock 20% Post Consumer Waste
Tel. (617) 626 -1000
April i l 6 2 0 01 Fax (617) 626 -1181
p http /www.magnet.state.ma.us /envir
CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
ON THE
ENVIRONMENTAL NOTIFICATION FORM
Maintenance of the King Street Brook
Diversion Channel
Northampton
Connecticut River
12453
Northampton Department of Public Works
March 7, 2001
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act
(G. L. c. 30, ss. 61 -62H) and Sections 11.03 and 11.06 of the
MEPA regulations (301 CMR 11.00), I hereby determine that this
project requires the preparation of an Environmental Impact
Report (EIR)
According to the Environmental Notification Form (ENF), the
project involves excavation of sediments from 1,630 linear feet
of King Street Brook and 565 feet of a tributary from the Carlon
Drive detention basin. Both channels are in the Barrett Street
Marsh Conservation Area. A rotary ditcher, that throws the
material up to 50 feet to the side of the channel, is proposed.
A sedimentation basin with an access roadway is proposed at the
bicycle path on the upper end of the marsh.
The project is subject to review pursuant to Section 11.03 (3)(a)
la of the MEPA regulations because it involves alteration of more
than one acre of bordering vegetated wetland. It requires a
Chapter 91 Waterways permit and Water Quality Certification from
the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), an individual
401 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), and an
Order of Conditions from the local conservation commission. The
project is funded from the Massachusetts Emergency Management
EOEA #12453
ENF Certificate April 6, 2001
Agency (MEMA). Because the proponent is seeking financial
assistance from the Commonwealth, MEPA jurisdiction extends to
all aspects of the project that might have significant
environmental impact.
The Brook is to'be•opened to a channel 12 feet wide by 2 feet
deep, and the tributary from the detention basin channel, to
approximately 4 feet wide by 2 feet deep. The channels are
heavily vegetated in sections. In addition to clearing the
channels, the project will alter a further 188,000 square feet of
bordering vegetated wetland (BVW). Approximately 2,000 square
feet of BVW will be permanently filled for access to the
sedimentation basin. The remaining 186,000 square feet would
receive up to one inch of sediment material from the rotary
digging process. No wetlands replacement plans have been
identified at this time. The proponent should consult with both
the DEP and COE as the EIR is prepared. The April, 2000
Functional Analysis of the Hydrology and Hydraulics of Barrett
Street Marsh and A Natural History of the Barrett Street Marsh
contain useful information for the preparation of the EIR.
SCOPE
I. Project Description The EIR should fully describe the
proposed project and any alternatives developed during the
preparation of the EIR, including any alternatives that reduce
wetlands impacts. The no -build must be considered for
comparative purposes.
II. Wetlands Resources The EIR should identify and describe
all wetlands resource areas in the project area, including those
in the detention basin area and those upstream from the bicycle
path. Each resource area should be evaluated for its,
significance and each alteration proposed to a resource area
should be quantified and evaluated for significance under the
Act. All identified environmental impacts should be quantified
and available strategies to avoid, or if not able to avoid,
mitigate impacts, should be evaluated for effectiveness and
feasibility.
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V. Maintenance Access The EIR should consider if access is
needed to the sedimentation basin at ground level, or if
maintenance activities could be'performed from the bicycle path.
VI. Wetlands Replication If wetlands replication is required
for the project, the EIR should identify an acceptable site and
include plans for development of the mitigation.
VII. Variance If DEP concludes that a variance will be
required for the project, the EIR should justify the issuance of
the variance.
IX. Mitigation The EIR should contain a proposed Section 61
Finding which identifies all mitigation measures,. parties
it responsible for their implementation and an implementation
schedule.
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EOEA #12453
III. Invasive Species The EIR should identify areas of
invasive species in the current marsh and evaluate their
potential change due to the project.
IV. Wetlands Vegetation Changes The EIR should evaluate the
potential long -term change in wetland characteristics due to the
change in water elevation in the wetlands, and due to the deposit
of the layer of sediment alone, and with some elevated PAHs, on
the marsh.
ENF Certificate April 6, 2001
The EIR should follow MEPA regulation 11.07 as modified by this
scope and must address the issues raised in the enclosed comment
letters. It must be circulated to the following for the MEPA
review periods:
DEP /Boston
DEP /WERO
COE
MEMA
F &WL
Connecticut River Basin Team
EPA /Ed Reiner
NMFS
PVRPC
Mass Audubon
Alexandra Dawson
CRWA
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EOEA #12453
Northampton City Council
Northampton Conservation Commission
Northampton Public Library
Ten additional copies must be available on request.
April 6, 2001
DATE
Comments received DEP 3/29/2001
COE 3/26/2001
EPA 3/19/2001
NHESP 2/27/2001
MHC 2/26/2001
BD /DES /ds
ENF Certificate April 6, 2001
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