Final Environmental Impact Report - Whittier Bridge/I-95 ...
Final Environmental Impact Report - Whittier Bridge/I-95 ... Final Environmental Impact Report - Whittier Bridge/I-95 ...
Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project FEIR Chapter 3.0: Mitigation and Commitments provided through the implementation of the SWPPP to be prepared in accordance with the EPA Construction General Permit. The wetland mitigation in Amesbury and Salisbury will be performed in conjunction with the widening of the I-95 corridor, during the initial project stages. The cost associated with the mitigation is expected to be $135,000. Summary of Fisheries Impacts There are two fish species with special status known to use the project area, the shortnose sturgeon and the Atlantic sturgeon. Due to the presence of these species a Section 7 consultation regarding potential impacts and impact avoidance measures with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been conducted. There may be some temporary impacts related to construction noise and activity and MassDOT has coordinated with NMFS and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) in their review of the proposed demolition, construction and dredging activities. Fisheries Mitigation DMF has determined, in a letter dated December 9, 2011, that if the project avoids the simultaneous installation of cofferdams, no time of year restrictions are required. MassDOT has coordinated extensively with NMF Northeast Region to implement conservation recommendations within essential fish habitat and anadromous fish runs within the Merrimack River in the project vicinity. As such, MassDOT has accepted NMFs recommendations as follows: All in water work will take place within cofferdams. Installation of cofferdams will only be conducted one at a time to minimize noise and/or turbidity impacts. From April 1 through June 30 of any year, at least one of the two navigation channels will remain unobstructed at all times to minimize impacts to the Atlantic salmon migration. From April 1 through June 30 of any year, an observer will be present on-site at the time of the installation of cofferdams. If the Atlantic salmon or other anadromous species are observed in the work area, the in-water work (i.e., cofferdam installation) will be delayed until they have passed through. Prior to the commencement of any cofferdam installation, MassDOT will submit an observer plan to NMFS for approval. Schedule and Cost The overall construction duration is expected to be 48 months, including a 42-month in-water work period for demolition and construction. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2013 and end in 2016. It is expected that the removal of all existing bridge components will begin in November 2014 and be completed within 24 months by November 2016. For the new structures, the in-water work will include installing piles, piers, and footings; in-water demolition activities will require removing the existing bridge piers. The removal of the existing Whittier Bridge will occur during the second phase of construction when the new northbound bridge is complete and all I-95 traffic is shifted to the new bridge. The cost of the cofferdams and observer is estimated at $7.5 million. 3-26
Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project FEIR Chapter 3.0: Mitigation and Commitments Responsible Parties MassDOT will be fully responsible for the implementation of the all mitigation commitments associated with the Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project. 3.16.7 Findings/Commitments The Department finds that the foregoing describes the environmental impacts associated with the Chapter 91 License and the Section 401 Water Quality Certification of the Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project and that, with the implementation of the mitigation measures described above, all feasible means and measures will have been taken to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to the environment. The potential environmental impacts of the Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Project have been characterized and quantified in the 2010 Environmental Assessment/Draft Environmental Impact Report and the 2012 Final Environmental Impact Report, which are incorporated by reference into this Section 61 Finding. Throughout the planning and environmental review process, MassDOT has been working to develop measures to mitigate significant impacts of the project. With the mitigation proposed and carried out in cooperation with state agencies, the Department finds that all feasible means and measures have been adopted to minimize and mitigate impacts on the environment. MassDOT is committed to implementing the mitigation measures set forth in conjunction with the Whittier/I-95 Improvement Project. Kenneth L. Kimmell Commissioner Department of Environmental Protection 3-27
- Page 330 and 331: 59 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
- Page 332 and 333: 61 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
- Page 334 and 335: 63 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
- Page 336 and 337: 65 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
- Page 338 and 339: 67 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
- Page 340 and 341: 69 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
- Page 342 and 343: 71 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
- Page 344 and 345: 73 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
- Page 346 and 347: 75 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
- Page 348 and 349: 77 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
- Page 350 and 351: 79 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
- Page 352 and 353: 81 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 would appreciate
- Page 355 and 356: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 357 and 358: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 359 and 360: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 361 and 362: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 363 and 364: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 365 and 366: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 367 and 368: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 369 and 370: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 371 and 372: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 373 and 374: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 375 and 376: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 377 and 378: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 379: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 383 and 384: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 385 and 386: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 387 and 388: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 389 and 390: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 391 and 392: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 393: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 397 and 398: Whittier Bridge/I‐95 Improvement
- Page 399 and 400: Spill Prevention and Response MassD
- Page 401: Appendix: Best Management Practices
- Page 405 and 406: The Commonwealth Of Massachusetts M
- Page 407 and 408: downstream of the existing bridge w
- Page 409 and 410: Appendix 1 - Tables 1, 2, and 3 Tab
- Page 411 and 412: Table 4. Summary of Model Simulatio
- Page 413: Whittier Bridge/I-95 Improvement Pr
- Page 416 and 417: process. If the project avoids simu
- Page 418 and 419: anadromous fish including American
- Page 420 and 421: Conclusions In summary, we recommen
<strong>Whittier</strong> <strong>Bridge</strong>/I-<strong>95</strong> Improvement Project FEIR<br />
Chapter 3.0: Mitigation and Commitments<br />
Responsible Parties<br />
MassDOT will be fully responsible for the implementation of the all mitigation commitments<br />
associated with the <strong>Whittier</strong> <strong>Bridge</strong>/I-<strong>95</strong> Improvement Project.<br />
3.16.7 Findings/Commitments<br />
The Department finds that the foregoing describes the environmental impacts associated with the<br />
Chapter 91 License and the Section 401 Water Quality Certification of the <strong>Whittier</strong> <strong>Bridge</strong>/I-<strong>95</strong><br />
Improvement Project and that, with the implementation of the mitigation measures described above,<br />
all feasible means and measures will have been taken to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to the<br />
environment.<br />
The potential environmental impacts of the <strong>Whittier</strong> <strong>Bridge</strong>/I-<strong>95</strong> Improvement Project have been<br />
characterized and quantified in the 2010 <strong>Environmental</strong> Assessment/Draft <strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Impact</strong><br />
<strong>Report</strong> and the 2012 <strong>Final</strong> <strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Report</strong>, which are incorporated by reference into<br />
this Section 61 Finding. Throughout the planning and environmental review process, MassDOT has<br />
been working to develop measures to mitigate significant impacts of the project. With the mitigation<br />
proposed and carried out in cooperation with state agencies, the Department finds that all feasible<br />
means and measures have been adopted to minimize and mitigate impacts on the environment.<br />
MassDOT is committed to implementing the mitigation measures set forth in conjunction with the<br />
<strong>Whittier</strong>/I-<strong>95</strong> Improvement Project.<br />
Kenneth L. Kimmell<br />
Commissioner<br />
Department of <strong>Environmental</strong> Protection<br />
3-27