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

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

mhd.state.ma.us
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27.01.2015 Views

process. If the project avoids simultaneous installation of multiple cofferdams, MarineFisheries does not recommend any TOY restrictions on the construction process. Questions regarding this review may be directed to John Logan in our New Bedford office at (508) 990-2860 ext. 141. Sincerely, Paul J. Diodati Director cc: Amesbury Conservation Commission Newburyport Conservation Commission Lou Chiarella, NMFS Ken Chin, Derek Standish, DEP Robert Boeri, CZM Ed Reiner, EPA Tay Evans, Kathryn Ford, Brad Chase, John Sheppard, Vincent Manfredi, Kate Ostrikis, Christian Petitpas, DMF Richard Lehan, DFG References 1. Evans NT, Ford KH, Chase BC, Sheppard J (2011) Recommended Time of Year Restrictions (TOYs) for Coastal Alteration Projects to Protect Marine Fisheries Resources in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Technical Report, TR-47. 2. Boesch DF, Turner RE (1984) Dependence of fishery species on salt marshes: the role of food and refuge Estuaries 7: 460-468. PD/JL/sd

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdmInistration NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE NORTHEAST REGION 55 Great Republic Drive Gloucester. MA 01930-2276 Pamela S. Stephenson Division Administrator Federal Highway Administration Massachusetts District 55 Broadway, lOth Floor Cambridge, MA 02142 - NOV 2 9 011 Re: HDA-MA, replacement of the Whittier Bridge across the Merrimack River, Newburyport and Amesbury, MA Dear Ms. Stephenson: NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has reviewed the essential fish habitat (EFH) assessment, dated November 7, 2011, prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) for the replacement of the Whittier Bridge over the Merrimack River between Newburyport and Amesbury, Massachusetts. A new bridge, with a separate structure for the north and south travel lanes, is proposed to replace the existing structurally deficient, functionally obsolete bridge. The new bridge will be wider to accommodate an additional travel lane in both directions, as well as a pedestrian and bike lane, and is designed with the abutments located further upland on the river bank, minimizing river encroachment and removal of vegetation. The replacement activities include the construction of two parallel bridges, each of which are approximately 1,300 linear feet and are supported by three piers, for a total of six new piers. New permanent impacts total approximately 17,100 square feet (sf), resulting in a net loss of approximately 5,600 sfof river bottom habitat, once the existing four piers are removed. Construction and demolition of the piers are proposed within cofferdams and the temporary impacts from the placement of cofferdams and temporary piers totals approximately 26,960 sf. Compensatory mitigation for unavoidable temporary and permanent impacts is not proposed. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) require federal agencies to consult with one another on projects such as this. Insofar as a project involves EFH, as this project does, this process is guided by the requirements of our EFH regulation at 50 CFR 600.920, which mandates the preparation of EFH assessments and generally outlines each agency's obligations in this consultation procedure. We offer the following comments and recommendations on this project pursuant to the above referenced regulatory process. General Comments The Merrimack River is a productive system that supports numerous important living estuarine and riverine resources such as Atlantic salmon and serves as a migratory corridor for a variety of

process. If the project avoids simultaneous installation of multiple cofferdams,<br />

MarineFisheries does not recommend any TOY restrictions on the construction process.<br />

Questions regarding this review may be directed to John Logan in our New Bedford office at<br />

(508) 990-2860 ext. 141.<br />

Sincerely,<br />

Paul J. Diodati<br />

Director<br />

cc:<br />

Amesbury Conservation Commission<br />

Newburyport Conservation Commission<br />

Lou Chiarella, NMFS<br />

Ken Chin, Derek Standish, DEP<br />

Robert Boeri, CZM<br />

Ed Reiner, EPA<br />

Tay Evans, Kathryn Ford, Brad Chase, John Sheppard, Vincent Manfredi, Kate Ostrikis, Christian Petitpas,<br />

DMF<br />

Richard Lehan, DFG<br />

References<br />

1. Evans NT, Ford KH, Chase BC, Sheppard J (2011) Recommended Time of Year Restrictions (TOYs) for Coastal<br />

Alteration Projects to Protect Marine Fisheries Resources in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Division of<br />

Marine Fisheries Technical <strong>Report</strong>, TR-47.<br />

2. Boesch DF, Turner RE (1984) Dependence of fishery species on salt marshes: the role of food and refuge Estuaries<br />

7: 460-468.<br />

PD/JL/sd

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