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

EEA#14427 DEIR Certificate December 30, 2011
The Preferred Alternative will require construction in the river occurring within
cofferdams, which control sediment disturbance and minimize suspended sediment transport.
Limited pile driving is required and will be performed within cofferdams, thereby minimizing
adverse acoustic effects. The Preferred Alternative would result in a permanent loss of 3,050
square feet of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) in the Merrimack River. The new river crossing
would not impede fish passage or adversely affect fish, including the Shortnose and Atlantic
sturgeon. In-water construction sequencing combined with the use of temporary cofferdams to
facilitate construction ofnew piers or the removal of existing piers will further minimize
disturbance. A qualified observer will be present during cofferdam construction to further ensure
that there will be no adverse effects to sturgeon.
MassDOT is coordinating with NMFS and DMF under the provisions of the Magnuson­
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
regarding potential impacts to EFH, and EFH and non-EFH species in the Merrimack River. The
DEIR includes an updated EFH Assessment, which includes consideration of EFH species and
non-EFH species and is under review by NMFS and DMF.
According to the comments from DMF, a time-of-year (TOY) restriction may not be
necessary to protect diadrodomous fish species within the Merrimack River if cofferdam
installation can be staged to allow only one cofferdam at any time, thereby limiting impacts to
five percent of the river width. If this condition cannot be met, DMF recommends a TOY
restriction from March 1 to November 1 of each year. I note the strong support for the phased
installation ofcofferdams limiting impacts to less than five percent by the U.S. EPA, CZM,
MassDEP, and DMF in order to minimize potential impacts to fisheries resources.
Wildlife
The DEIR identifies habitat improvement activities including the restoration of salt
marsh located at the stormwater outfall on the Newburyport shore of the Merrimack River. The
DEIR claims that there are limited opportunities for habitat improvement with culvert
enlargement, however in areas where 1-95 would be relocated to the east, larger culverts would
enable passage for small- to medium-sized animals. The majority of existing culverts along 1-95
will be retained and extended rather than replaced because culvert replacements under 1-95
would increase impacts to traffic and require additional construction. The Preferred Alternative
w~)Uld widen the existing wildlife passage under the Whittier Bridge by relocating bridge
abutments 50 feet farther back from the Merrimack River shoreline. MassDOT will investigate
feasible methods to enhance wildlife habitat along the Merrimack River corridor, including
installation ofbird nesting boxes, plantings with native species with food value for wildlife, and
other methods that will not interfere with future maintenance of the new Merrimack River
bridges. Proposed stormwater BMPs will be maintained by MassDOT to ensure proper
functioning and to remove accumulated sediments as required. The sediment removal operations
will ensure that invasive species will not become established long-term within the stormwater
BMPs. A detailed landscaping plan, which will include native species, will be developed during
final project design.
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