Central Massachusetts MPO
Environmental Consultation for the Regional Transportation Plan Update
As emphasized in early SAFETEA-LU guidance, MPOs developing transportation policy and projects need to proactively engage the environmental community, seeking participation and input as part of the public outreach process. MPOs are required to consult with applicable federal & state wildlife, land management, and regulatory agencies as well as state & local agencies responsible for land use management, natural resources, environmental protection, conservation, and historic preservation.
Accordingly, efforts were made during the development of the 2007 RTP document to involve various stakeholders from the greater region's environmental community. Seeking to engage the environmental community, the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) staff, on behalf of the Central Massachusetts MPO (CMMPO), hosted an Environmental Consultation Session on January 11, 2007. The purpose of the session was two-fold: 1) inform the environmental community about the compilation of the RTP document, and 2) encourage feedback regarding their ongoing involvement in the overall transportation planning process. A listing of the various environmental agencies invited to attend the consultation session is shown in the table below.
The Environmental Consultation Session provided a forum for interactive conversation between agency staff and the central Massachusetts environmental community. Major topics of discussion included an introduction to the CMMPO, an overview of the development of the 2007 RTP document and, in particular, potential major transportation infrastructure projects under consideration. During the meeting, around-the-table consensus indicated the value of holding occasional consultation sessions to engage in early discussion about areas of environmental concern and potential mitigation strategies. This continuing relationship will help to ensure that future RTP documents and other CMMPO planning efforts remain consistent with regional environmental goals. It was further agreed that the next consultation session would be held specifically to discuss the annual development of the Transportation Improvement Program.
Environmental Consultation
Initial Contact Listing
Federal
Army Corps of Engineers
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission
(JHCBRVNHCC)
Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor, Inc
State
Central Massachusetts Center for Healthy Communities
Department of Agricultural Resources
Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)
Office of Watershed Management
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Department of Fish & Game
Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement (DFWELE)
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Division of Marine Fisheries
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA)
Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC)
Massachusetts Watershed Coalition
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA)
MassGIS
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Office for Commonwealth Development
Regional Environment Council of Central Massachusetts (REC)
UMass Extension
Local
Devens Enterprise Commission
French River Connection, Inc.
Worcester Department of Public Works
Private
Massachusetts Audubon Society
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Smart Growth Alliance
Another product of the initial Environmental Consultation Session was the general agreement on the ability for the participating agencies to share various GIS data layers. At the consultation session, CMRPC staff presented the CMMPO Environmental Areas map, a compilation of selected environmental data for use in project planning. The data layers, maintained and distributed by MassGIS, included:
Permanently protected open space: These are defined as lands protected in perpetuity.
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC): These are places recognized for the quality, uniqueness and significance of their natural and cultural resources. They are nominated at the community level and designated by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs.
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP): Defined and maintained by NHESP scientists, core habitats and supporting natural landscapes are the most viable habitats for rare species and natural communities in Massachusetts. NHESP-supported natural landscapes are typically large, naturally vegetated blocks of land that are relatively free from the impact of roads and other development. Upon review of the CMMPO Environmental Areas map, the environmental community representatives in attendance indicated that the current inventory shown on the map was essentially incomplete. More protected lands exist than shown on the current map. Through the ensuing discussion, they encouraged the CMRPC staff to increase its environmental data inventory. Further, it was suggested that the scope of future RTPs should be expanded in order to consider the potential impact of transportation improvements on water quality in the greater region.
The members of the environmental community attending the consultation session indicated their interest in the potential major infrastructure improvement projects selected by the CMMPO for inclusion in the 2007 RTP document. They also shared various past experiences in working with MassHighway on highway improvement projects where well-planned mitigation measures, implemented early in the process, were known to have prevented adverse environmental impact at the project sites. Those attending the Environmental Consultation Session did not express any significant issues with the major infrastructure improvement projects. They did, however, generally agree to take the provided information back to their respective agencies and, if appropriate, submit comment at a later date.
Environmental Consultation Input
The representatives from the environmental community indicated that the CMMPO should take into account a wide range of environmental considerations. The following summarizes the useful input provided to the CMMPO from the environmental community pertaining to the development of the 2007 RTP.
A representative from the Massachusetts Watershed Coalition (MWC) mentioned the availability of a "green print" of nine communities in both the CMRPC and Montachusett regions. Further, a related "String of Pearls" analysis conducted by the MWC is applicable to transportation planning. It was also pointed out that there exists more environmentally protected land than depicted in the CMMPO Environmental Areas map. It was additionally suggested that the RTP should perhaps address water quality in some manner as it relates to the established transportation infrastructure, particularly the highway network.
Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) representatives suggested that wellhead protection zones should be considered as they are directly related to public drinking water supplies. Stream corridors and wetland areas should also be included in the planning process. Subsequent to the consultation session, the CMRPC staff received six data layers from the local office of the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR).
DCR officials also noted their concern about existing rail freight service on the railroad line adjacent to the Wachusett Reservoir. A derailed freight train represents a potential pollution source within the sensitive ecosystem. Future increases in freight rail activity are considered to increase the associated risks. Another consultation session participant suggested improved maintenance procedures along rail lines that traverse environmentally sensitive areas. For instance, old railroad ties should be removed from railroad right-of-way within reservoir and other public water supply sources, eliminating a potential source of contamination. On a related note, the DCR representatives attending the session also suggested considering Brownfield sites when compiling future improvement plans in order to provide for "one-time" remedial actions.
Echoing the above listed suggestions, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) representatives indicated the availability of various data layers to the CMRPC staff, including 21E sites (contaminated soils), riverfronts, wetlands, and Zone 2s. When transportation improvement projects are in the early planning stages, staff should consider water quality and storm water management, particularly where point source highway and bridge drainage enters adjacent water bodies.
The Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) official present at the consultation session agreed with the necessity to clearly define the entire project scope and the limits of work at the project initiation stage. This approach appears to significantly reduce the potential for unanticipated cost overruns.
It should also be noted that, beyond the consultation session, the CMRPC staff is working with the French River Connection, a group with a mission to preserve and improve the environmental aspects of the French River as well as develop recreational opportunities, including a multi-use trail and portage areas. The CMRPC intends to continue assisting the French River Connection with such planning tasks as mapping and the identification of potential trail alignment options.
Future Compilation of "Environmental Profiles"
As a result of the regional Environmental Consultation Session outreach venue for the 2007 RTP document, a future "Plan Refinement" work activity is envisioned. In order to provide a preliminary assessment of the likely impacts of potential major infrastructure improvement projects being considered by the CMMPO within the timeframe of the RTP document, staff plans on compiling a series of Environmental Profiles. Using various GIS data layers, the Environmental Profiles are envisioned to provide preliminary, "broad-brush" levels of impact to various habitats and resources. Such a GIS analysis, considered a "Plan Refinement" effort, would provide the CMMPO with key environmental data to be considered in the decision-making process.
This summary was prepared by the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission. For more information, please contact Mary Ellen Blunt at (508) 756-7717 or blunt@cmrpc.org.
To provide Feedback, Suggestions or Comments for this page contact Egan Smith at egan.smith@dot.gov .
