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

Patel, Purvi ~ ...... _
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Gary Peters [gpoptical@hotmail.com]
Thursday, December 22, 2011 4:26 PM
Patel, Purvi (EEA)
#14427 Whittier Bridge/l-95 Improvement Project Comments to DEIR
Hello Purvi,
It was nice speaking with today. Here are a few comments regarding the Whittier Bridge Replacement Program.
The EA/DEIR identifies two fish species that enjoy special status, the short nose sturgeon and the Atlantic Sturgeon. Also,
anadromous fish migrate up the river to spawn. Blueback Herring have shown a steady decline. When they were counted
at the Essex Dam, they found 51 in1996, 24,576 in 2000 and 517 in 2010. This species is being proposed as endangered.
Shad and Rainbow Smelt spawn in the Merrimack and are sensitive to silting, noise and vibration.
I would ask you to require the recommended TOY restrictions be utilized, as detailed by species in the Mass Division of
Fisheries Technical Report TR-47. This document does a good job of showing the appropriate environmental Windows.
There are fish restoration programs underway and we want to eliminate ANY potential threats to them and the TOY
restrictions will help.
Noise from construction needs to be addressed early in your process. This is a joint filing (MEPA/NEPA) and the two have
distinctly different methods of dealing with this issue.
MassDEP relies on L90 numbers, while the Federal- Agencies rely on Leq numbers. This will lead to very confusing
comparisons. DEP uses a 10 db L90 maximum over baseline to establish enforcement actions. MassDOT claims they are,
not subject to this or any oversight and will control noise through a noise policy through the contractors.
My feeling is that this approach does not work and puts an unfair burden and potential health hazards on the sensitive
receptors adjacent to the project. -
MEPA can and should use hard upper limit numbers to protect the Public Health of the affected neighbors in the
FEIR. MEPA should also clarify any juristictional disputes regarding enforcement on nuisance noise between DEP,FHWA,
and MassDOT. When all is said and done a clear concise enforcement policy regarding nuisance nose should be in the
FEIR.
Did you receive any DRAFT DOCUMENTS to support the positions of MassDOT regarding this bridge replacement as it
relates to environmental impacts If, so may I get copies on disk.
Regards,
Gary Peters BS, RS, REHS
34 Bluff Road
Weymouth, MA 02191
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