The Environmental Monitor provides information on projects under review by the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office, recent MEPA decisions of the Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs, and public notices from environmental agencies. These are the LARGE, potentially ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING projects. Please, take a look at ones in your town/city.
April 10, 2024
- Environmental Monitor – Berkshires
- Environmental Monitor – CT River Valley
- Environmental Monitor – Statewide
- Environmental Monitor – Archives
- How to submit comments to MEPA
- Environmental Monitor – On MEPA Website
Berkshire Index:
- Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Pittsfield, Sheffield, Stockbridge – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – Housatonic Railroad Company, Inc. to treat rights-of-way with herbicides during 2024 calendar year. – published 4/10/2024
- Monterey – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Ecological Restoration Project – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – Berkshire Regional Planning Commission project to include live staking, bank erosion mitigation and establishing a riparian buffer garden at 10 Riverwood Way. Aiming to enhance water quality and mitigate nonpoint source pollution in the Lake Garfield Watershed. – published 4/10/2024
- Adams, Deerfield, Florida, Holyoke, North Adams, Williamstown – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – Berkshire & Eastern Railroad to treat rights-of-way with herbicides in 2024 – published 4/10/2024
- Florida, North Adams, Monroe, Adams – E131 Asset Condition Refurbishment (ACR) Project – Final Environmental Impact Report – comments due 5/10/2024
- Hancock, Lanesborough, Hinsdale, Cheshire, Dalton – WT-02 Transmission Right-of-Way Reliability Project – Final Environmental Impact Report – comments due 5/10/2024
- Pittsfield – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Ecological Restoration Project – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – The City of Pittsfield’s Department of Community Development is filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) for an Ecological Restoration Limited Project for the application of the Massachusetts Department Agricultural Resources approved product, Earthtec QZ, within a specified treatment zone within Onota Lake. – published 3/22/2024
- Hinsdale – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Aquatic Plant Management Program- (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – The Town of Hinsdale (applicant) is seeking approval to continue an Aquatic Management Program of Plunkett Reservoir. USEPA/State registered herbicides and/or algaecides will be applied to manage non-native and nuisance aquatic vegetation and algae to protect the interests of the Wetlands Protection Act by impeding eutrophication and improving habitat value. – published 3/22/2024
- Dalton, Pittsfield – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan- (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – In accordance with the guidelines set forth in Eversource Energy, Western MA’s VMP and YOP, herbicides will be selectively applied to target vegetation by licensed/certified applicators carrying backpack or handheld application
equipment for the IVM program. – comments due 4/22/2024
Previous projects in 2024
- Lanesborough – Notice of Request for a Site Examination – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – The Lanesborough Fire and Water District (District) has applied to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Projection (MassDEP) for a Request for Site Exam application for siting a new groundwater source well off Bull Hill Road in Lanesborough, Massachusetts. The new public water source will provide redundancy within the District’s water system making it more resilient to failures. – comments due 3/24/2024
- Great Barrington – Notice of Application and Issuance of a Draft Groundwater Discharge Permit – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – Application for an Individual Groundwater Discharge Permit is being processed for Berkshire Hills Regional School District to discharge 35,000 gallons of treated sanitary wastewater per day. – comments due 3/8/2024
- Lanesborough – Notice of Application for a 401 Water Quality Certificate – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – For the replacement of Bridge No. L-03-010 carrying Bridge Street over Town Brook in the Town of Lanesborough by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The project includes bridge replacement including removal of the existing superstructure and abutment walls, approach guardrail, new sidewalk and drainage structures, and streambank restoration. – comments due 2/28/2024
- Williamstown – Notice of Application for a 401 Water Quality Certificate – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – For the replacement of Bridge No. W-37-015 Route 2 (Main Street) in Williamstown. The main objectives of this project are to remove the existing bridge and install a new two-span structure with integral abutments, Northeast Extreme Tee (NEXT) F Beams, and replace the existing center concrete pier. – comments due 2/28/2024
- Otis –Notice of Application for a 401 Water Quality Certificate- (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – For the replacement of Bridge O-05-007 carrying Tannery Road over the West Branch Farmington River. The project involves the complete replacement of the existing bridge structure and realignment of Tannery Road at the bridge approaches. The proposed bridge structure will be constructed on a new alignment approximately 28 feet south of the existing bridge. – comments due 2/28/2024
- Pittsfield –Notice of Application for a 401 Water Quality Certificate –(click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – For the replacement of an existing bridge crossing the Sacket Brook on New East Lenox Road. The design replaces the existing 22.5-ft span bridge with a wider single-span structure providing two traffic lanes, one in each direction, to match the lane configurations of the existing roadway approaches. The project also includes replacement of existing guardrail and resurfacing of approximately 229 feet to the north of the bridge and 126 feet to the south of the bridge on East New Lenox Road. – comments due 2/28/2024
- Pittsfield –Notice of Ecological Restoration Project under 301 CMR 11.01(2)(b)4.– (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – The proposed project is a Dam Removal Project as listed in 310 CMR 10.13(2), and proposes removal of the entire Bel Air Dam structure, restoration of a natural stream channel in the area of the current impoundment, establishment of adjacent floodplain, and installation of native herbaceous and woody species. Bel Air Dam is classified as a HIGH (Class I) Hazard Potential dam. The proposed project will also remove contaminated sediment that has accumulated upstream of the dam and includes elevated levels of chromium, arsenic, lead, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPHs) – comments due 2/27/2024
- Notice of Intent to Initiate an Ecological Restoration Project– (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – The Town of Mt. Washington intends to submit an Ecological Restoration Project Notice of Intent to address the threats that nonnative invasive plants pose to native plant communities, rare species, and wildlife habitats within the Town’s boundaries. Proposed work areas will be on a landscape level and include conserved forest land under DCR, TNC and BNRC management and Town owned roadsides and culverts. Priority will be given to controlling invasive plant populations that threaten rare species habitats and riparian habitats that flow into Priority Habitats and the Schenob Brook and Karner Brook Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. Invasive control work is anticipated to take place beginning in the summer of 2024. – Filed 1/19/2024
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George Schnopp Road Dam Breach Emergency Stabilization – Hinsdale
EEA # 16700
Issued June 23, 2023
Secretary’s Certificate ENF (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Requires an [AMENDED] Environmental Notification Form – we have not seen this before. Sending them back to square one!
Submitted May 24, 2023
Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due June 13, 2023
For copies contact: Nathaniel Arai, (413) 335-6477, Nathaniel.arai@gza.com
MEPA Analyst: Jennifer Hughes, (617)455-7063, Jennifer.Hughes@mass.gov
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E131 Asset condition Refurbishment (ACR) Project of New England Power – Adams, North Adams, Florida & Monroe
EEA # 16663
Published April 10, 2024
Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)
Comments due May 10, 2024
Filed December 15, 2023
Draft Environmental Impact Report Certificate (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Determined DEIR adequately and properly complies with MEPA
Published November 8, 2023
Draft Environmental Impact Report DEIR (click on link, then at top click on attachments)
Comments due December 8, 2023
Issued March 17, 2023
Secretary’s Certificate EENF (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Requires an Environmental Impact Report
REMOTE Site Visit Monday, February 27, 2023 at 5:30 pm
Please RSVP to purvi.patel@mass.gov at least one hour before the meeting for instructions on joining the video conference or calling in by phone.
Submitted February 8, 2023
Expanded Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due March 10, 2023
This is a project to replace poles and build new roads along the powerlines. “This work will involve grading,
tree removal, and gravel placement to safely navigate steep slopes.”
BEAT note: The power distribution companies get paid a guaranteed profit to do all this work. And electric ratepayers pay for this in our electric bills. If the power distribution companies really want to improve resilience for their ratepayers, they should focus on installing battery storage at the substations and making it easy and affordable for ratepayers to install batteries in their buildings.
For copies contact: Katy Wilkins, (413) 875-1305, KLWilkins@tighebond.com
MEPA Analyst: Tori Kim, (857)207-2996, tori.kim@mass.gov
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WT-02 Transmission Right-of-Way Reliability Project – Hancock, Lanesborough, Hinsdale, Cheshire, Dalton
EEA # 16567
Eversource planning on cutting about 137 acres of trees along their right-of-way including rare species habitat, historical/archeological resources, near vernal pools, and crossing outstanding resource waters.
Published April 10, 2024
Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)
Comments due May 10, 2024
For copies contact: Travis Ahern, , (508) 429-0608, ahernt@holliston.k12.ma.us
MEPA Analyst: Amina Miliani, , amina.miliani@mass.gov
Filed December 15, 2023
Draft Environmental Impact Report Certificate (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Determined DEIR adequately and properly complies with MEPA
Published November 8, 2023
Draft Environmental Impact Report DEIR (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due December 8, 2023
Issued July 15, 2022
Secretary’s Certificate EENF (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Requires an Environmental Impact Report
An online/remote consultation session site visit 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. PLEASE NOTE THAT AN IN-PERSON SITE VISIT MAY BE HELD BASED ON AGENCY AND STAKEHOLDER RVSPS.
Remote consultation – Wednesday, June 22 at 6:00 pm Please RSVP to purvi.patel@mass.gov at least one hour before the meeting for instructions on joining the video conference or calling in by phone.
POTENTIAL IN-PERSON SITE VISIT – Friday, June 24 at noon ( If this is held – Meet at the site: Parking lot of Lanesborough Town Hall/Public Library, 83 N Main St, Lanesborough, MA 01237 – YOU MUST RSVP TO purvi.patel@mass.gov TO INDICATE YOUR INTEREST IN THIS IN-PERSON SITE VISIT BY WED, JUNE 22ND AT 6PM – Please check the Environmental Monitor prior to attending the in-person site visit to determine if this meeting has been canceled.
Submitted June 8, 2022
Expanded Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due July 8, 2022
For copies contact: Rebecca Weissman, (508) 233-8769, Rebecca.Weissman@SWCA.com
MEPA Analyst: Purvi Patel, (617)874-0668, purvi.patel@mass.gov
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Comments to MEPA:
The Secretary of Environmental Affairs accepts written comments on projects currently under MEPA review.
Please note that comments submitted on MEPA documents are public records.
Be sure to include the EOEA number on all comments!
MEPA Public Comment Portal
The most efficient way to submit comments on MEPA projects is through the Public Comment Portal. You may register and create an account or submit comments anonymously.
Submit Comments by e-mail
All comments received by the deadline will be provided to the Secretary for review and included in the public record for the project. Comments can be e-mailed directly to the Environmental Analyst reviewing the project. Please reference the project name and EEA# in the subject line of the e-mail. The EEA# and Environmental Analyst assigned to the project can be found in the Environmental Monitor.
MEPA Staff Contact Information
Submit Comments by Mail or Hand Delivery
Electronic comments are preferred; however, written comments may be mailed or hand-delivered to the MEPA office. Office hours are 9 AM – 5 PM.
The mailing address for comments is:
Secretary of the Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Attn: MEPA Office [Analyst Name], EEA No. _____
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900 Boston MA 02114
Be sure to include the EOEA number on all comments!
How to Submit Comments to MEPA (this link takes you to the MEPA Site)