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NHESP No-Take Northampton_17-36318 April 13, 2020 Northampton Conservation Commission City Hall 210 Main Street Room 11 Northampton MA 01060 Jonah Keane Mass Audubon 127 Combs Road Easthampton MA 01027 RE: Applicant: Jonah Keane, Mass Audubon Project Location: Old Springfield Road Project Description: Arcadia Sanctuary Manhan Meadows Floodplain Restoration DEP Wetlands File No.: 246-0744 NHESP Tracking No.: 17-36318 Dear Commissioners & Applicant: The applicant listed above has submitted a Notice of Intent with site plans (dated June 2019) 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 10.59). 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) The Division hereby approves the submitted management plan. 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…”. NHESP No. 17-36318, Page 2 (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. If you have any questions about this letter, please contact Melany Cheeseman, Endangered Species Review Assistant, at (508) 389-6357. Sincerely, Everose Schlüter, Ph.D. Assistant Director cc: MA DEP Western Region Wayne Feiden, City of Northampton Craig Wood, ESS Group, Inc.