Environmental Monitor – Statewide – 2009

Mosquito Control Program – 10/26/09
EEA# 5027

2nd EIR Update – comments due 12/7/09
Document 2 – Update to the 1998 Mosquito Control Program Generic Environmental Impact Report (GEIR) EOEEA #5027 dated August 14, 2009 (pdf)

For copies – Mark Buffone (617) 626-1777
MEPA Analyst – Nicholas Zavolas (617) 626-1030

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Notice of Public Comment Period for State Transportation Improvement Program 2010-2013

The DRAFT project listing for the proposed State Transportation Improvement Program for FY 2010-2013 is available. This is the compilation of roadway, bridge, intermodal and transit projects as developed by the Commonwealth’s ten Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and the three non-MPOs. These projects are available for review at www.mass.gov/eot and on the right side of the page Draft STIP Project Listing. The comment period runs 9/1/09 – 9/30/09.

Comments may be sent to the STIP Coordinator by e-mail at STIP@eot.state.ma.us; by fax at 617-973-8035; or by phone at 617-973-7335. Those comments received by 9/30/09 will be included in the final document.

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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy and Protocol Information Resources

The MEPA Office is pleased to provide an on-line resource (BEAT Note: link not working as of 8/26/09) that provides  information on several projects that have been reviewed under the MEPA Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Policy and Protocol.  For each of the projects, the file includes the MEPA Certificates, relevant comment letters and supporting GHG analysis and supplemental materials provided in MEPA filings.  Several of the projects have completed MEPA review while others are at different stages of MEPA review (e.g. only ENF or Draft EIR has been reviewed). The file includes a range of project types (e.g. retail, mixed use, redevelopment, residential) and includes projects that have requested Waivers or Single EIRs.  This file will be updated periodically to include recently reviewed projects.

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Notice of Intent to Amend Wetlands Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR 10.00) and Water Quality Certification Regulations (314 CMR 9.00)

 

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Notice of Intent to Adopt New Hazardous Waste Regulations (310 CMR 30.00)

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Notice of Availability –
MassDEP Waste Site Cleanup Technical Assistance Grants (pdf)

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Notice of Pending Certification Evaluation of State of Massachusetts Forests by the Forest Stewardship Council

Full Notice (pdf)

Scope and Certification Evaluation Process

Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), a FSC-accredited certification body based in Emeryville,
California, will conduct this FSC evaluation. Performance will be evaluated against the FSC Standard
for Northeast Region V.9.0, available online

The Evaluation Process Includes the Following Phases:
Public notification and solicitation of comments on the certification applicant
Audit planning and document review
Field assessment – A representative sample of field sites and operations within the defined
forest area are inspected
Stakeholder consultation
Synthesis of findings – Compliance with the standard is ascertained and the certification
decision is formulated
Draft report – A report describing the evaluation process, findings, and certification decision
is produced

Delivery of final certification report
Public summary of certification report is released, if certification is awarded

Call for Public Participation
SCS welcomes comments on the forest management by the BOF, DWSP, and for DFW or other topics
pertinent to their seeking FSC certification, such as compliance with the legal, social, technical, and environmental requirements of the standard or identification of High Conservation Value Forests within
forests administered by these agencies. Comments can be submitted via email, standard mail, or facsimile to:
Dave Wager
Director of Forest Management Certification
Scientific Certification Systems
145 Park Place, Point Richmond, CA 94801
Tel: 406-25 1-7049, Fax: 5 10-236-8598
e-mail: dwager@,scscertified.com
All comments will be kept in strict confidence at the request of the commenter.

Public Meeting
A public meeting will be held on April 6 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at John Augustus Hall (Cafeteria) in West
Boylston, MA. John Augustus Hall is located at 180 Beaman Street (Route 140), West Boylston.
Directions are available upon request from dwager@scscertified.com or by calling (508) 792-7423

Dates and Deadlines
The field portion of the re-certification assessment is scheduled to commence during the week of April 6,
2009.

Dispute Resolution Procedure
As provided by the FSC Interim Dispute Resolution Protocol (Document 1.4.3) and the SCS Forest
Conservation Program Quality Manual, dispute resolution procedures are in place and available to
interested parties.

Additional Information
More information about FSC and SCS can be obtained from www.fscus.org and www.scscertified.com.
Information about State of Massachusetts forestlands can be found on the EOEA Web site.

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Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy and Protocol – Information Resources

The MEPA Office is pleased to provide an on-line resource that provides  information on several projects that have been reviewed under the MEPA Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Policy and Protocol.  For each of the projects, the file includes the MEPA Certificates, relevant comment letters and supporting GHG analysis and supplemental materials provided in MEPA filings.  Several of the projects have completed MEPA review while others are at different stages of MEPA review (e.g. only ENF or Draft EIR has been reviewed). The file includes a range of project types (e.g. retail, mixed use, redevelopment, residential) and includes projects that have requested Waivers or Single EIRs.  This file will be updated periodically to include recently reviewed projects.

Reminder: EEA has revised its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Policy & Protocol, with changes to take effect on February 3, 2009. A Summary of the Revisions to the GHG Policy is alao available. The Policy will apply to ENFs and EENFs submitted after the January 31, 2009 submission deadline if the Project is subject to the Policy.

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Stormwater Management Regulations – 1/21/09

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) gives notice of its extension of the public comment period for its proposed Stormwater Management Regulations, 314 CMR 21.00 and the Draft Regulated Impervious Area General Stormwater Permit with accompanying Fact Sheet. MassDEP takes this action pursuant to the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act, M.G.L. c.21, SS26 through 53.

The proposed regulations and draft general permit are available on the Department’s website: Summary of Proposed Regulation and General Permit Program (pdf), and Proposed Regulation (pdf).

Public notice of hearings and the initial comment period on the proposed regulations and draft general permit, which was to close on February 9,2009, was published in the Environmental Monitor of December 24,2008 and January 7,2009. The Department now extends the comment period and will accept written comments on the proposed revisions until 5.00 p.m. on March 11, 2009.

Written comments shall be submitted by regular mail at the following address, Mass Department of Environmental Protection, One Winter Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02108, attn Glenn Haas.

Written comments may also be send by email at
DEP.Waterpermitting@state.ma.us.

MassDEP held informational meetings on the proposed regulations and draft general permit during the week of January 51h 2009. MassDEP is considering holding additional informational sessions. Please check the MassDEP website for dates, times and locations.

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Massachusetts Best Management Practices and Guidance for Freshwater Mosquito Control GEIR Update
EEA# 5027

Issued January 16, 2009
Secretary’s Certificate (pdf) – Adequately and properly complies with MEPA

BEAT Note: According to someone following this issue carefully, the Secretary’s Certificate requires further review, a well defined monitoring program, and a process for ongoing annual public review.

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General Announcements

NEW Regulations for Public Benefit Determinations and Amendments to the MEPA Regulations

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has promulgated new regulations at 301 CMR 13.00 (Public Benefit Determination Regulations) to implement changes made in St. 2007, c. 168 (Chapter 168), which was enacted in November, 2007. EEA has also amended the MEPA regulations at 301 CMR 11.00 to incorporate changes made in Chapter 168, as well as changes addressing the Rare Species thresholds and the distribution of MEPA documents.

In accordance with the amended requirements for the distribution of MEPA documents, the MEPA Office should now receive two copies of each Environmental Impact Report (rather than three as previously required) and two copies of each Notice of Project Change (rather than one as previously required). For other changes to the distribution requirements, please refer to the newly amended MEPA regulations.

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Notice of Public Comment Period for Revisions to Guidelines for the Certification of Vernal Pool Habitat

Submitted January 7, 2009
Notice of Public Comment Period for Revisions to Guidelines for the Certification of Vernal Pool Habitat

BEAT’s comments (pdf) on these proposed revisions

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How to Submit Comments to MEPA:

The Secretary of Environmental Affairs accepts written comments on projects currently under MEPA review. Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, via FAX, or by hand delivery. Please note that comments submitted on MEPA documents are public records.

Be sure to include the EOEA number on all comments!

The mailing address for comments is:
Ian A. Bowles, Secretary of Environment and Energy
Attn: MEPA Office
[Analyst Name], EOEA No. ____
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston MA 02114

Be sure to include the EOEA number on all comments!

state email addresses are usually: first name.last name @state.ma.us
for example: Aisling.Eglington@state.ma.us

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