NHESP Comment
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Jack Buckley, Director
www.mass.gov/nhesp
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Field Headquarters, One Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581 (508) 389-6300 Fax (508) 389-7890
An Agency of the Department of Fish and Game
September 22, 2015
Northampton Conservation Commission
City Hall
210 Main Street Room 11
Northampton MA 01060
Kim Urban
140 Riverbank Road
Northampton MA 01060
RE: Applicant: Kim Urban
Project Location: 140 Riverbank Road
Project Description: Bank stabilization and removal of fallen trees
DEP Wetlands File No.: 246-0687
NHESP File No.: 15-34028
Dear Commissioners & Applicant:
The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries &
Wildlife (the “Division”) received a Notice of Intent with site plans entitled “SLOPE STABILIZATION 140
RIVERBANK ROAD NORTHAMPTON, MA” (prepared by New England Environmental, Inc. dated 8/13/2015,
revised 8/28/2015) in compliance with the rare wildlife species section of the Massachusetts Wetlands
Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR 10.58(4)(b), 10.59). The Division also received the MESA Review
Checklist and supporting documentation for review pursuant to the MA Endangered Species Act
Regulations (321 CMR 10.18).
WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT (WPA)
Based on a review of the information that was provided and the information that is currently contained in
our database, the Division has determined that this project, as currently proposed, will not adversely
affect the actual Resource Area Habitat of state-protected rare wildlife species. Therefore, it is our
opinion that this project meets the state-listed species performance standard for the issuance of an Order
of Conditions.
Please note that this determination addresses only the matter of rare wildlife habitat and does not pertain
to other wildlife habitat issues that may be pertinent to the proposed project.
MASSACHUSETTS ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (MESA)
Based on a review of the information that was provided and the information that is currently contained in
our database, the Division has determined that this project, as currently proposed, will not result in a
prohibited “take” of state-listed rare species. This determination is a final decision of the Division of
Fisheries and Wildlife pursuant to 321 CMR 10.18. Any changes to the proposed project or any additional
work beyond that shown on the site plans may require an additional filing with the Division pursuant to
NHESP No. 15-34028, page 2 of 2
the MESA. This project may be subject to further review if no physical work is commenced within five
years from the date of issuance of this determination, or if there is a change to the project.
Please note that this determination addresses only the matter of state-listed species and their habitats. If
you have any questions regarding this letter please contact Lauren Glorioso, Endangered Species Review
Assistant, at (508) 389-6361.
Sincerely,
Thomas W. French, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
cc: MA DEP Western Region
Meredith Borenstein, New England Environmental, Inc.