Berkshire Index:

Previous 2011 listings:

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Daley Development - Lee
EEA #14764

Issued September 16, 2011
Secretary's Certificate (pdf)
Does not require an Environmental Impact Report

Site Visit - July 20 - 10:30 am - Berkshire Engineering - 157 Columbia Street, Lee

Submitted July 6, 2011
Environmental Notification Form (pdf)
Comments now due September 9, 2011- additional information was submitted. This project is in state-listed species habitat.

For copies: Roger Scheurer (413) 243-4122
MEPA Analyst: Nicholas Zavolas (617) 626-1030

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Ashuwillticook Rail Trail Extension - Adams
EEA #14748

Issued June 22, 2011
Secretary's Certificate (pdf)
Does not require an Environmental Impact Report

Site visit June 7, 2011, 2:30 pm, meet at Berkshire Visitors Bureau, 3 Hoosac St., Adams

An Environmental Notification Form (ENF) has been submitted to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office for this project. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) proposes to extend the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail through the Town of Adam. The project will begin at Hoosac Street and continue northerly, terminating at Lime Street (1.2 miles in length). The purpose of the project is to enhance pedestrian and bicyclist connectivity and to improve connections to public open space. Environmental impacts include the creation of 1.65 acres of new impervious area, and the alteration of 71,785 square feet of Riverfront Area. The project requires an Order of Conditions from the Adams Conservation Commission (and on appeal only, a Superseding Order of Conditions from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), a Construction Access Permit from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, review by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Categorical Exclusion Determination from the Federal Highway Administration, and a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit from the US Environmental Protection Agency. Because the project is being undertaken by a State Agency, MEPA jurisdiction is broad in scope and extends to all aspects of the project that may cause Damage to the Environment, as defined in the MEPA regulations. 

A consultation session will be held to receive advice and comments from agencies, officials, and citizens regarding which environmental issues, if any, are significant for this project. Opinions as to the extent and significance of possible environmental impact will be welcome. 

The meeting is scheduled as follows: 

Date:   Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
Time:   2:30 PM
Location: Berkshires Visitor Center/Berkshire Visitors Bureau - Conference Room, 3 Hoosic Street, Adams 01220. Followed by site visit.              

Comments on the project will be welcome in writing prior to June 13, 2011. A Certificate on the ENF will be issued on June 22, 2011.

Project Contact:  Beth Suedmeyer, MassDOT – Highway Division, 617.973.8245, beth.suedmeyer@state.ma.us

Pursuant to the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act, this Meeting Notice is available in alternative formats upon request. Questions on the meeting may be answered by contacting Purvi Patel, MEPA Analyst at 617.626.1029.

Submitted May 23, 2011
Environmental Notification Form (pdf)
Comments due June 13, 2011

For copies: Beth Suedmeyer (617) 973-8245
MEPA Analyst: Purvi Patel (617) 626-1029

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South Street Corridor Improvements Project - Pittsfield
EEA #14749

Issued June 22, 2011
Secretary's Certificate (pdf)
Does not require an Environmental Impact Report

Site Visit - June 7, 2011

An Environmental Notification Form (ENF) has been submitted to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office for this project. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) proposes roadway, sidewalk, and traffic signal improvements along South Street (Route 20 and 7) in Pittsfield. The project will extend from south of the entrance to the Pittsfield Country Club north to just south of the intersection of South Street and West Housatonic Street. The purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow along South Street, improving access to Interstate 90. Environmental impacts include the creation of 0.45 acres of new impervious area, and the alteration of 65,030 square feet (sf) of Riverfront Area and 18,150 sf of Bordering Land Subject to Flooding. The project requires an Order of Conditions from the Pittsfield Conservation Commission (and on appeal only, a Superseding Order of Conditions from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Categorical Exclusion Determination from the Federal Highway Administration, and a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit from the US Environmental Protection Agency. Because the project is being undertaken by a State Agency, MEPA jurisdiction is broad in scope and extends to all aspects of the project that may cause Damage to the Environment, as defined in the MEPA regulations.

A consultation session will be held to receive advice and comments from agencies, officials, and citizens regarding which environmental issues, if any, are significant for this project. Opinions as to the extent and significance of possible environmental impact will be welcome.

The meeting is scheduled as follows:

Date:   Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
Time:   11:00 AM  
Location: Pittsfield City Hall (Room 203) - 70 Allen Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201               

Comments on the project will be welcome in writing prior to June 13, 2011. A Certificate on the ENF will be issued on June 22, 2011.

Project Contact:  Michael Trepanier, MassDOT – Highway Division, 617.973.8250, michael.trepanier@state.ma.us

Pursuant to the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act, this Meeting Notice is available in alternative formats upon request. Questions on the meeting may be answered by contacting Purvi Patel, MEPA Analyst at 617.626.1029.

________________________________________

Purvi P. Patel, EIT

Submitted May 23, 2011
Environmental Notification Form (pdf)
Comments due June 13, 2011

For copies: Michael Trepanier (617) 973-8250
MEPA Analyst: Purvi Patel (617) 626-1029

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Center Pond Dam Rehabilitation - Becket
EEA# 14741

Issued June 8, 2011
Secretary's Certificate (pdf)
Does not require an Environmental Impact Report

Site visit May 24, 2011 @ 10:00 am
A meeting will be held at Becket Town Hall (557 Main Street) and will be followed by the site visit.

Project Description:  The project consists of the reconstruction of the Center Pond Dam in response to a dam safety order issued by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The project will correct structural and hydraulic deficiencies including seepage through the dam embankment, deterioration of the upstream and downstream walls of the dam as well as the spillways, and deterioration of the gatehouse structure. The ENF indicates that potential environmental impacts are associated with alteration of approximately .45 acres of land, including 4,625 square feet of bordering vegetated wetlands (BVW), 5,460 sf of land under water (LUW) and 18,140 sf of riverfront area.

The project is undergoing MEPA review and requires preparation of an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) pursuant to 301 CMR 11.03 (3)(b)(6) because the project requires a state Permit and it consists of the construction, reconstruction or expansion of an existing solid fill structure of 1,000 or more sf base area. The project requires a 401 Water Quality Certification and a Chapter 91 License from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and a Chapter 253 Permit from the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Also, it requires an Order of Conditions from the Becket Conservation Commission (and a Superseding Order of Conditions (SOC) from MassDEP in the event the local Order is appealed).

The first four pages of the ENF are available through this link:
http://www.env.state.ma.us/mepa/mepadocs/2011/050911em/nps/enf/14741.pdf

Pursuant to the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act, this Meeting Notice is available in alternative formats upon request.

Submitted May 9, 2011
Environmental Notification Form (pdf)
Comments due May 31, 2011

For copies: Allen Orsi, PARE Corp. (508) 543-1775
MEPA Analyst: Deirdre Buckley (617) 626-1044

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Issued February 11, 2011
Secretary’s Certificate (pdf)
Does not require an Environmental Impact Report

Submitted January 5, 2011
Environmental Notification Form (pdf)
Comments due January 25, 2011

For copies: Skip Medford (978) 681-1900
MEPA Analyst: Purvi Patel (617) 626-1029

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Proposed Retail Store – North Adams
EEA# 13578

Issued January 14, 2011
Secretary’s Certificate (pdf)
Adequately and properly complies with MEPA
– Secretary pushes for Walmart to live up to its hype about being 100% supplied by renewable energy and actually agree to put photovoltaics on its roof. Walmart has said that the 7 year payback would take too long. Also an interesting section on ways to increase employees’ use of mass transit.

Submitted December 8, 2010
Final Environmental Impact Report (BEAT has a copy if you would like to look at it – team@thebeatnews.org)
Comments due January 7, 2011

Issued October 1, 2010
Secretary’s Certificate (pdf)
Adequately and properly complies with MEPA – next step if for the proponent to file an Final EIR

Submitted August 24, 2010
Notice of Project Change(pdf)/Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Comments due September 24, 2010

For copies: Kathleen Drea (781) 535-6954
MEPA Analyst: Deirdre Buckley (617) 626-1044

BEAT Note: We have copies of the NPC/ENF and EIR at the BEAT office. Please give us a call if you would like to view them. (413-230-7321)

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