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. These are the LARGE, potentially ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING projects. Please, take a look at ones in your town/city.
December 23, 2024
- 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:
- Great Barrington – Berkshire Natural Resources Property Exploration Wells – Expanded Environmental Notification Form – comments due 1/22/2025
- Adams, Cheshire, Egremont, Sheffield – Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – National Grid has submitted a Yearly Operational Plan to MDAR for 2025 and National Grid’s YOP identifies these municipalities as locations where they intend to use herbicides to treat their electric Rights-of-Way in 2025 – Comments due 1/24/2025
Previous projects in 2025
- Adams – Quarry Minerals Management Area– Notice of Project Change – comments due 12/12/2024
- Egremont – Reconstruction and Related Work at Mount Washington Road – Secretary’s Certificate on ENF, does not require an environmental impact report – published 11/8/2024
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Berkshire Natural Resources Property Exploration Wells – Great Barrington
EEA # 16906
Published December 23, 2024
Expanded Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments Due January 22, 2025
For copies contact: Peter Marks, 4135280133, MarksPeter490@gmail.com
MEPA Analyst: Eva Vaughan, (857)408-6381, Eva.Vaughan@mass.gov
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Quarry Minerals Management Area – Adams
EEA # 16040
Published November 22, 2024
Notice of Project Change (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments Due December 12, 2024
Issued October 18, 2019
SEIR Certificate (pdf)
Adequately and Properly Complies with MEPA
Submitted September 11, 2019
Single Environmental Impact Report
Comments due October 11, 2019
Issued August 2, 2019
ENF Secretary’s Certificate (pdf)
Requires Mandatory Environmental Impact Report
MEPA consultation session scheduled for: Friday, June 28 10:00 AM. We will meet at Adams Town Hall, 8 Park Street. A site visit will be conducted after the consultation session. Hard hats and boots may be required for the site walk.
Submitted June 10, 2019
Environmental Notification Form (pdf)
Comments due July 26, 2019
For copies contact: ZIAD KARY, (617) 657-0283, zfk@envpartners.com
MEPA Analyst: Alexander Strysky, (857) 408-6957, alexander.strysky@mass.gov
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Reconstruction and Related Work at Mount Washington Road – Egremont
EEA # 16871
Published November 8, 2024
Secretary’s Certificate on ENF (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Does not require an environmental impact report
Published September 11, 2024
Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due October 1, 2024
For copies contact: Matthew Lundsted, (800) 725-2550, MLundsted@CeiEngineers.com
MEPA Analyst: Matthew Sokop, matthew.j.sokop@mass.gov
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Mount Williams Reservoir Dam and Notch Reservoir Dam Improvements Projects – North Adams
EEA # 16835
Published July 10, 2024
Secretary’s Certificate EENF (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Requires a Single Environmental Impact Report
Published May 22, 2024
Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due June 21, 2024
For copies contact: Val Locker , (781) 995-3040, VLocker@tighebond.com
MEPA Analyst: Amina Miliani, amina.miliani@mass.gov
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George Schnopp Road Dam Breach Emergency Stabilization – Hinsdale
EEA # 16700
Issued June 23, 2023
Secretary’s Certificate ENF (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Requires an [AMENDED] Environmental Notification Form – we have not seen this before. Sending them back to square one!
Submitted May 24, 2023
Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due June 13, 2023
For copies contact: Nathaniel Arai, (413) 335-6477, Nathaniel.arai@gza.com
MEPA Analyst: Jennifer Hughes, (617)455-7063, Jennifer.Hughes@mass.gov
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E131 Asset condition Refurbishment (ACR) Project of New England Power – Adams, North Adams, Florida & Monroe
EEA # 16663
Published June 7, 2024
Secretary’s Certificate FEIR (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Adequately and properly complies with MEPA
Published April 10, 2024
Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)
Comments due May 10, 2024
Filed December 15, 2023
Draft Environmental Impact Report Certificate (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Determined DEIR adequately and properly complies with MEPA
Published November 8, 2023
Draft Environmental Impact Report DEIR (click on link, then at top click on attachments)
Comments due December 8, 2023
Issued March 17, 2023
Secretary’s Certificate EENF (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Requires an Environmental Impact Report
REMOTE Site Visit Monday, February 27, 2023 at 5:30 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.
Submitted February 8, 2023
Expanded Environmental Notification Form (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due March 10, 2023
This is a project to replace poles and build new roads along the powerlines. “This work will involve grading,
tree removal, and gravel placement to safely navigate steep slopes.”
BEAT note: The power distribution companies get paid a guaranteed profit to do all this work. And electric ratepayers pay for this in our electric bills. If the power distribution companies really want to improve resilience for their ratepayers, they should focus on installing battery storage at the substations and making it easy and affordable for ratepayers to install batteries in their buildings.
For copies contact: Katy Wilkins, (413) 875-1305, KLWilkins@tighebond.com
MEPA Analyst: Tori Kim, (857)207-2996, tori.kim@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.
Published June 7, 2024
Secretary’s Certificate FEIR (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Adequately and properly complies with MEPA
Published April 10, 2024
Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)
Comments due May 10, 2024
For copies contact: Travis Ahern, , (508) 429-0608, ahernt@holliston.k12.ma.us
MEPA Analyst: Amina Miliani, , amina.miliani@mass.gov
Filed December 15, 2023
Draft Environmental Impact Report Certificate (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Determined DEIR adequately and properly complies with MEPA
Published November 8, 2023
Draft Environmental Impact Report DEIR (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments)
Comments due December 8, 2023
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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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 of the 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)