Beaver Brook Greenway-NHESP Comments-bird blind and maintenance-2016
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
July 28, 2016
Northampton Conservation Commission
City Hall
210 Main Street Room 11
Northampton MA 01060
Robert Zimmerman
Broad Brook Coalition
549 North Farms Road
Florence MA 01062
RE: Applicant: Broad Brook Coalition & Leeds Civic Association
Project Location: Beaver Brook/Broad Brook off Route 9
Project Description: Trail Installation, Wildlife Viewing Blind, Gravel Parking,
Invasive Species Control
DEP Wetlands File No.: 246-0695
NHESP Tracking No.: 11-29084
Dear Commissioners & Applicant:
The applicant listed above has submitted a Notice of Intent with project description to the
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries &
Wildlife (the “Division”), in compliance with the rare wildlife species section of the
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR ).
MA 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.
MA ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (MESA)
Based on a review of the information that was provided, the Division has determined that the
proposed activities are approved as a habitat management plan, provided the following
condition is met:
As proposed, all brush hogging/mowing is to occur only between November 1 and April
30, of any year, unless otherwise approved by the Division.
NHESP No. 11-29084, page 2 of 2
Therefore, the proposed activities are exempt from MESA review pursuant to 321 CMR 10.14
which states: “[t]he following Projects and Activities shall be exempt from the requirements of
321 CMR 10.18 through 10.23…”.
(15) The active management of State-listed Species habitat, including but not
limited to mowing, cutting, burning, or pruning of vegetation, or removing
exotic or invasive species, for the purpose of maintaining or enhancing the
habitat for the benefit of rare species, provided that the management is carried
out in accordance with a habitat management plan approved in writing by the
Division”
Any changes to the proposed project or any additional work beyond that provided may require a
filing with the Division pursuant to the MESA regulations.
Please note that this determination addresses only the matter of state-listed species and their
habitats. If you have any questions about this letter, please contact Lauren Glorioso, Endangered
Species Review Biologist, at (508) 389-6361.
Sincerely,
Thomas W. French, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
cc: MA DEP Western Region
Sarah LaValley, Northampton Conservation Commission