Final Environmental Impact Report - Whittier Bridge/I-95 ...

Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project FEIR
Chapter 2.0: Response to Comments on the Environmental Assessment/Draft Environmental Impact Report
The stormwater management system for the project consists of the following components: deep
sump catch basins; water quality swales; sediment forebays; infiltration basins; wet basins; and
infiltration trenches. Maintenance of these components will be conducted in accordance with
MassDOT standard maintenance practices and inspected on an annual basis.
If inspection indicates the need for major repairs of structural surfaces, the inspector will contact the
MassDOT District 4 maintenance supervisor to initiate procedures to effect repairs in accordance
with MassDOT standard construction practices.
DEP-25: Standard 10 – Illicit Discharges: MassDOT committed to a construction phase evaluation of illicit discharges
during one of the meetings with MassDEP. There appears to be potential for illicit discharge to MassDOT land in
Salisbury, from the septic system of industrial building located east of I-95 North Bound that drains through swale to
Wetland I. This needs to be addressed as well as any other potential illicit discharges through permitting process with
the commissions.
Response: MassDOT has submitted information to the conservation commissions to address any
potential illicit discharges to the I-95 stormwater management system.
There are no known or proposed illicit discharges within the project limits. MassDOT District 4 staff
investigated the referenced potential illicit discharge location in Salisbury and confirmed that no such
illicit discharge exists. Should any illicit discharges be identified during the course of construction
they shall be reported to the Resident Engineer or MassDOT District 4 Environmental Engineer to
determine the source and potential for resolution through MassDOT‘s Illicit Discharge Detection and
Elimination (IDDE) program. Additionally, in areas of the project where there are off-site or existing
municipal local drainage connections to the existing highway system, investigations shall be
conducted to determine if potential illicit discharges exist. These investigations shall include, but are
not limited to, the observation of outfalls for dry weather flows or evidence of surface water
contamination by non-stormwater discharges.
DEP-26: MassDOT submitted Water Quality Certification applications for dredging (BRP WW 07) of the Merrimack
River and filling (BRP WW 10). Because the project is a design-build, most of the issues related to 314 CMR 9.00 will
be addressed as "contractor submittal subject to review and approval of the Department" during the permitting
process. Adherence to DMF requirements in lieu of TOY restrictions is imperative to avoid dredging impacts to
fisheries.
Response: The comment is noted. MassDOT has committed to the requirements of Mass DMF
December 9, 2011 letter. The letter is included in Appendix C.
DEP-27: Pursuant to the Waterways Regulations at 310 CMR 9.12(2)(d), when an EIR is submitted, MassDEP shall
find an infrastructure crossing facility to be water-dependent only if the Secretary has made that determination.
MassDEP recommends that the project be classified as a "water-dependent" use project, based on its review of the
project alternatives and due to the fact that the structure cannot be reasonably relocated or operated away from tidal
waters of the Merrimack River.
Response: The comment is noted.
DEP-28: The project will span two navigation channels, the Main, or Federal, Navigation Channel and the Steamboat
Channel. As described on p 1-13, and as further corroborated by the review of the plans and sections provided
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