Notice of MEPA Scoping Session
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Sudbury-Hudson Transmission Reliability Project – Sudbury, Marlborough, Stow, Hudson
EEA#: 15703
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UPDATE 6/13/17:
On behalf of Secretary Matthew Beaton, the MEPA Office has granted the Proponent’s request for a two-week extension of the comment period for the Sudbury-Hudson Transmission Reliability Project (EEA# 15703). Comments on the project will be welcome in writing on or before July 4, 2017. A Certificate on the Environmental Notification Form (ENF), which will include a Scope for a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) will be issued on July 14, 2017.
As requested, attached please find a copy of the powerpoint presentation from the MEPA Scoping Session held yesterday.
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UPDATE 6/12/17:
Attached (below) please find supplemental information submitted today by the Proponent. The supplemental information corrects the wetland impact numbers presented in the Environmental Notification Form (ENF). As a result of these corrections, the project no longer meets/exceeds a mandatory Environmental Impact Report (EIR) threshold, as originally identified in the ENF.
The Proponent has committed to proceed through the EIR process to provide another opportunity for public disclosure of the project’s environmental impacts and the proposed measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate said impacts.
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An Environmental Notification Form (ENF) has been submitted to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office<http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/mepa/about-mepa/> for this project. The project requires the preparation of a mandatory Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The project includes construction of a 9-mile, 115-kilovolt (“kV”) underground transmission line extending from Eversource’s Sudbury Substation on Boston Post Road (Route 20) in Sudbury to Hudson Light & Power Department’s substation at Forest Avenue in Hudson and upgrades to these substations. The project will be installed primarily along an inactive railroad right-of-way owned by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
The project will require a Section 401 Water Quality Certification (401 WQC) from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), a Highway Access Permit from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and a Petition to Construct and Zoning Exemptions from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB). The project may require a Conservation and Management Permit (CMP) from Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP). It also requires Orders of Conditions from the Hudson, Stow, and Sudbury Conservation Commissions and approvals from the Hudson and Sudbury Boards of Selectmen.
A scoping 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 MEPA Scoping Session is scheduled as follows:
Date: Monday, June 12th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (Auditorium) – 390 Lincoln Rd, Sudbury.
Project Contact: Marc Bergeron, VHB, Inc., (508) 513-2703, mbergeron@vhb.com<mailto:mbergeron@vhb.com>
The comment period for this project has been extended. Comments on the project will be welcome in writing on or before June 20, 2017. Information on how to submit comments may be found on this webpage<http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/mepa/submitting-comments.html>. A Certificate on the ENF, which will include a Scope for a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) will be issued on June 30, 2017.
The purpose of the MEPA Scoping session is for the MEPA Environmental Analyst, State Agency Officials, and the public to learn about the project, and inform the Scope of the EIR. It will include identification of existing conditions, proposed project, potential impacts, and measures that have been taken to avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential impacts. There will be time allocated for questions and clarifications from members of the public. Based on attendance, time may be limited per speaker. Please note, formal public participation in MEPA requires submission of a written comment letter.
A MEPA site visit will occur prior to the meeting at 3:00 pm on Monday, June 12th. The site visit will meet at 3:00 pm at the Assabet River Rail Trail parking lot located at 14 Wilkins Street in Hudson and will stop at 2 additional locations along the route. See attached figure for more information. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. There will be no substantive discussion regarding the proposed project at the site visit; this will occur at the subsequent MEPA Scoping Session.
MEPA Site Visit 6.12.17 Meeting Location
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 Page Czepiga, MEPA Analyst at (617) 626-1021.
Event Details
| Event Start: | Monday, June 12, 2017 (6:00 pm) |
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| Event End: | Monday, June 12, 2017 (9:00 pm) (Expected) |
| Location: | Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School - Auditorium |
| Committee: | Select Board |
| Notes: | UPDATE RECEIVED 6/13/17. Message from MEPA regarding Eversource Sudbury-Hudson Transmission Reliability Project. |
| Download: | Download this event to add to calendar (.ics) |
