The Environmental Monitor provides information on projects under review by the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office, recent MEPA decisions of the Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs, and public notices from environmental agencies. In July 2021, the state made their site very difficult to use, but these are the LARGE, potentially ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING projects. Please, take a look at ones in your town/city.
- Environmental Monitor – Berkshires
- Environmental Monitor – CT River Valley
- Environmental Monitor – Statewide
- Environmental Monitor – Archives
- How to submit comments to MEPA
- Environmental Monitor – On MEPA Website
Berkshire Index:
- Multiple towns – National Grid Vegetation Management Plan – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachment) – comments due 1/20/23
Previous projects in 2022
- Sheffield – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Aquatic Plant Management Program (click on attachments) – McCain Residence Pond – posted 11/23/22
- Williamstown – Schow Pond Restoration Project – ENF Certificate – Requires a Single Environmental Impact Report – issued 11/14/22
- North Adams – Notice of Application for a 401 Water Quality Certificate – bridge replacement on Route 2 over the Hoosic River – posted 10/24/2022
- Pittsfield – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Aquatic Plant Management Program – Aquatic management – Carr Residence – Parker Pond, 669 Churchill Street – posted 10/24/2022
- Hancock, Lanesborough, Hinsdale, Cheshire, Dalton – Eversource – WT-02 Transmission Right-of-Way Reliability Project – EENF Certificate – Requires an Environmental Impact Report – issued 7/15/22 – BEAT is watching this one that proposes unnecessary tree cutting.
- Stockbridge – Notice of Application and Issuance of a Draft Groundwater Discharge Permit (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – Camp Mah-Kee-Nac – posted 8/10/22
- Mt Washington – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Ecological Restoration Project – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – posted 6/24/22
- New Ashford – Notice of Application and Issuance of a Draft Groundwater Discharge Permit- (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – Snowy Owl Resort – posted 6/8/22
- Many municipalities – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – CSX Railroad – comments due 6/24/22
- Pittsfield – Notice of Intent for an Ecological Restoration Limited Project (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) to restore the riverbank at Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), 20 Chapel St. – remove invasive species by hand and replant native species – Order of Conditions issued
- Great Barrington, Lenox, Sheffield, Lee, Pittsfield, Stockbridge – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) Housatonic Railroad – comments due 6/8/22
- Sheffield – Kelsey Road over Dry Brook – ENF Certificate – Does not require an Environmental Impact Report – posted 5/9/22
- Otis – Notice of Application for a 401 Water Quality Certificate– (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – repairs to the State Route 8 Culvert (Culvert No. O–05–008) over the West Branch of the Farmington River – submitted 5/11/22
- Sheffield – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Aquatic Plant Management Program (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – propose to use herbicides at Richardson Residence – Fawn Lake – posted 4/25/22
- Sheffield – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Aquatic Plant Management Program (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – propose to use herbicides in Perlmand Residence Pond – posted 4/25/22
- Pittsfield – Notice of Project Change – Pittsfield Wastewater Treatment Plant Nutrient Removal Upgrade – Secretary’s Certificate (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)(we never saw the notice posted!) – NPC is Insignificant – issued 3/18/22
- Lanesborough & Pittsfield – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Aquatic Plant Management Program – Pontoosuc Lake herbicides and algaecides proposed – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
- Lenox – Notice of Intent to Initiate an Ecological Restoration Project (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – habitat restoration at Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary – posted 3/23/22
- Windsor – Notice of Application for a 401 Water Quality Certificate – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – culvert repairs along State Route 8A/9 (Berkshire Trail) over Jenks Brook – posted 3/23/22
- Becket – Notice of Application for a 401 Water Quality Certificate (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – Route 8 bridge over Shaker Mill Brook – posted 2/9/22
- Multiple municipalities – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – Eversource Energy vegetation management – posted 2/9/2022
- Lenox – Lenox Valley Waste Transfer Facility – ENF Certificate – Does Not Require an Environmental Impact Report – issued 1/21/22
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Schow Pond Restoration Project – Williamstown
EEA # 16614
Issued November 14, 2022
Secertary’s Certifcate ENF (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Requires a Single Environmental Impact Report
Site visit – November 2, 2022 – 9:30 am
At the site: near parking lot at 225 South Street
REMOTE MEETING. November 2, 2022 – 10:00 am. Please RSVP to alexander.strysky@mass.gov at least one hour before the meeting for instructions on joining the video conference or calling in by phone.
Submitted October 7, 2022
Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due November 7, 2022
For copies contact: Nathaniel Russell, (413) 234-0468, Nathaniel.Russell@gza.com
MEPA Analyst: Alexander Strysky 617-626-1025 alexander.strysky@mass.gov
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WT-02 Transmission Right-of-Way Reliability Project – Hancock, Lanesborough, Hinsdale, Cheshire, Dalton
EEA # 16567
Eversource planning on cutting about 137 acres of trees along their right-of-way including rare species habitat, historical/archeological resources, near vernal pools, and crossing outstanding resource waters.
Issued July 15, 2022
Secretary’s Certificate EENF (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Requires an Environmental Impact Report
An online/remote consultation session site visit will be held to receive advice and comments from agencies, officials, and citizens regarding which environmental issues, if any, are significant for this project. Opinions as to the extent and significance of possible environmental impact will be welcome. PLEASE NOTE THAT AN IN-PERSON SITE VISIT MAY BE HELD BASED ON AGENCY AND STAKEHOLDER RVSPS.
Remote consultation – Wednesday, June 22 at 6:00 pm Please RSVP to purvi.patel@mass.gov at least one hour before the meeting for instructions on joining the video conference or calling in by phone.
POTENTIAL IN-PERSON SITE VISIT – Friday, June 24 at noon ( If this is held – Meet at the site: Parking lot of Lanesborough Town Hall/Public Library, 83 N Main St, Lanesborough, MA 01237 – YOU MUST RSVP TO purvi.patel@mass.gov TO INDICATE YOUR INTEREST IN THIS IN-PERSON SITE VISIT BY WED, JUNE 22ND AT 6PM – Please check the Environmental Monitor prior to attending the in-person site visit to determine if this meeting has been canceled.
Submitted June 8, 2022
Expanded Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due July 8, 2022
For copies contact: Rebecca Weissman, (508) 233-8769, Rebecca.Weissman@SWCA.com
MEPA Analyst: Purvi Patel, (617)874-0668, purvi.patel@mass.gov
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Kelsey Road over Dry Brook – Sheffield
EEA # 16544
Issued May 9, 2022
Secretary’s Certificate (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Does not require an Environmental Impact Report
Submitted April 8, 2022
Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due April 28, 2022
For copies contact: Sara Kreisel, (617) 896-4579, skreisel@bscgroup.com
MEPA Analyst: Christina Lyons, Christina.Lyons@mass.gov
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Lenox Valley Waste Transfer Station – Lenox
EEA # 16498
Issued January 21, 2022
ENF Certificate (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Does Not Require an Environmental Impact Report
Submitted December 22, 2021
Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due January 11, 2022
For copies contact: Brett Kamienski, (413) 443-3537, bkamienski@sk-dg.com
MEPA Analyst: Alexander Strysky 617-626-1025 alexander.strysky@mass.gov
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Harnett Pond – New Marlborough
EEA # 16444
Issued October 29, 2021
Secretary’s Certificate (pdf) (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Requires a Single Environmental Impact Report
Site visit: October 12, 2021 at 2:00 pm
REMOTE MEETING. Please RSVP to purvi.patel@mass.gov at least one hour before the meeting for instructions on joining the video conference or calling in by phone
Submitted September 22, 2021
Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Proposal to hydraulically dredge the pond
Comments due October 22, 2021
For copies contact: Shannon Boomsma (413) 443-8011 sboomsma@whiteeng.com
MEPA Analyst: Purvi Patel 617-626-1029 purvi.patel@mass.gov
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Comments to MEPA:
The Secretary of Environmental Affairs accepts written comments on projects currently under MEPA review.
Please note that comments submitted on MEPA documents are public records.
Be sure to include the EOEA number on all comments!
MEPA Public Comment Portal
The most efficient way to submit comments on MEPA projects is through the Public Comment Portal. You may register and create an account or submit comments anonymously.
Submit Comments by e-mail
All comments received by the deadline will be provided to the Secretary for review and included in the public record for the project. Comments can be e-mailed directly to the Environmental Analyst reviewing the project. Please reference the project name and EEA# in the subject line of the e-mail. The EEA# and Environmental Analyst assigned to the project can be found in the Environmental Monitor.
MEPA Staff Contact Information
Submit Comments by Mail or Hand Delivery
Electronic comments are preferred; however, written comments may be mailed or hand-delivered to the MEPA office. Office hours are 9 AM – 5 PM.
The mailing address for comments is:
Secretary Kathleen A. Theoharides
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Attn: MEPA Office [Analyst Name], EEA No. _____
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900 Boston MA 02114
Be sure to include the EOEA number on all comments!
How to Submit Comments to MEPA (this link takes you to the MEPA Site)