38A-092 Grove street wetland inspectionFrom:
R LEVESQUE ASSOCIATES, INC
0986 (F)
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
Date: November 10, 2008
A Land
nfficen.rlevecnneassociates.cnm
75 Broad
To
Planning Services Company
Street, Suite C, Westfield, MA 01085 413 568 0985 (0)
Northampton Conservation Commission
Project No: 070802
Project Name: Grove Street, Northampton
RE: Wetland Replication Field Inspection -Logs r, K 1
1 'ti
210 Main Street, Rm. 11, City Hall
Northampton, MA 01060
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Attention:
Mr. Bruce Young
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We Are Transmitting
Plans
Specifications
Report
Form
g to You:
Under Separate
I I C
Cover VIA D1;�1 A`ttac�ed.; _r
Approval
Order
Original
of Subcontractor
on Contract
Drawings
Field
Copy of Letter
Photographs
Proposal
Inspection Logs
►1 Other
Number
of Copies
DWG./Revision
Date
Drawing
Number
Description
1
Field Inspection and photos dated 7/5/08
1
Field Inspection and photos dated 10/23/08
These are
For Approval
For Information
For Action
As Requested
Remarks:
Attached
Transmitted as Noted Below:
Approved as Submitted
Approved as Noted
For Corrections
For Review and Comments
Resubmit Copies for Approval
Resubmit Copies for Distribution
Return Corrected Prints
are the Field Inspection Logs with photographs for the Wetland Replication Area
at Lots 3 -5, Grove Street Northampton, MA. RLA is submitting the logs on behalf of the client,
Mr. William Gruber, for your review.
Robert M. Leves ue ASLA
Copies To
Mass DEP Wetlands Program —WERO
Mr. William Gruber
Note: If Enclosures
are not
By:
as noted, please notify us at once.
White: Addressee
Yellow: Project Notebook Pink: Main File
OBSERVATIONS:
The wetland replication area has been graded. The earthwork has been
conducted as designed, except for the creation of the rear berm. This field
change was conducted to ensure the replication area would maintain hydric
conditions.
Per discussions with the Northampton Conservation Commission, an
impervious liner was installed to provide an aquiclude in an effort to
maintain hydric conditions due to sandy conditions encountered in the
subsoil on -site.
The lowering of the berm was discussed with Mr. Young in order to
decrease the amount of standing water contained in the replication area.
Some wetland vegetation has been observed, including Sensitive Fern, as
shown in photos 2 and 4 attached herewith.
COMMENTS OR
ISSUES:
The photographs of the replication area attached herewith were taken on
7/5/08, in the middle of the first growing season.
The replication area was created using translocated wetland soils from a
Massachusetts Highway Department site on Route 66. The wetland soils
were anticipated to have a good seed bed, and it was RLA's
recommendation to wait to see what vegetation was established.
As mentioned above, the lowering of the rear berm was discussed due to
concern with mosquitoes and safety concerns associated with a higher
water level. This change was not made.
RLA noticed that due to soil settling, the liner at the front (south) of the
replication area was exposed. RLA instructed Mr. Gruber to provide
additional fill at this location. This was repaired to our satisfaction.
PHOTOS TAKEN
YES X NO DESCRIBE PicturAs 1 -5
CONCLUSIONS:
At the time of this inspection, the earthwork was consistent with the intent of
the replication design, however further inspection will monitor the
establishment of vegetation within the wetland and the level of standing
water.
NOTES:
Further monitoring will be conducted at the end of the growing season to
determine vegetation development.
COPY LOG TO:
MassDEP, Mr. William Gruber
SITE: Replication Area for Lots 3 -5 Grove Street
DATE: 07/05/08
ADDRESS: Grove St, Northampton, MA
JOB 070802
SITE CONTACT: William Gruber
PHONE: (413) 527 -2609
INSPECTOR: Robert M. Levesque, RLA, ASLA
of R Levesque Associates, Inc (RLA)
REASON FOR INSPECTION: Observe
vegetation development
FIELD INSPECTION
REPORT FOR REPLICATION STATUS
Loa #1
Inspection #1
View of replication area looking northeast 7/5/08
View of vegetation .resent including sensitive fern 7/5/08
75 Broad Street Suite C, P.O. Box 640, Westfield, MA 01085
Phone: 413-568-0985; Fax: 413-568-0986
robl@rlaland.com
Field Inspection Photos
Lots 3-5, Grove Street, Northampton, MA
RLA Project 070802
Field Inspection Photos
Lots 3 -5, Grove Street, Northampton, MA
RLA Pro'ect 070802
View of standing water and vegetation .resent 7/5/08
75 Broad Street Suite C, P.O. Box 640, Westfield, MA 01085
Phone: 413 -568 -0985; Fax: 413 -568 -0986
robl @rlaland.com
Edge of replication area with liner exposed, looking east 7/5/08
75 Broad Street Suite C, P.O. Box 640, Westfield, MA 01085
Phone: 413 -568 -0985; Fax: 413 -568 -0986
robl @rlaland.com
Field Inspection Photos
Lots 3 -5, Grove Street, Northampton, MA
RLA Pro'ect 070802
OBSERVATIONS:
The wetland replication area appears to be functioning and exudes a variety
of hydrologic signs. Soil saturation is near the surface in most locations and
standing water is present in some areas within the replication area.
RLA is pleased with the establishment of vegetation from the translocated
soils. Wetland plant species are beginning to encroach upon the area of
standing water, including cattail, sensitive fern and bulrush. No invasive
plant species were identified at the time of the inspection.
The translocated soils appear to have a good seed bed, and it is anticipated
that the replication area will continue to support a variety of wetland
vegetation next growing season.
COMMENTS OR
ISSUES:
The photographs of the replication area attached herewith were taken on
10/23/08, at the end of the growing season.
As mentioned above, the vegetation is encroaching upon the area of
standing water which may be better for safety concerns and it also provides
habitat for amphibians and small mammals:
PHOTOS TAKEN
YES X NO DESCRIBE Pir:turAs 1
CONCLUSIONS:
It is likely that the wetland replication area will meet the standard of 75%
wetland vegetation by the end of the next growing season, per the WPA
regulations found at 310 CMR 10.55 (4)(b) for general replication
conditions.
Further monitoring will be conducted at the end of the next growing season
to determine vegetation development and regulatory compliance.
NOTES:
It is anticipated that at the end of the next growing season, a Certificate of
Compliance will be sought for the subject property, pending compliance with
all aspects of the Order of Conditions.
COPY LOG TO:
MassDEP, Mr. William Gruber
SITE: Replication Area for Lots 3 -5 Grove Street
DATE: 10/23/08
ADDRESS: Grove St, Northampton, MA
JOB 070802
SITE CONTACT: William Gruber
PHONE: (413) 527 -2609
INSPECTOR: Robert M. Levesque, RLA, ASLA
of R Levesque Associates, Inc (RLA)
REASON FOR INSPECTION: Observe
vegetation development
FIELD INSPECTION
REPORT FOR REPLICATION STATUS
Loo #2
Inspection #2
75 Broad Street Suite C, P.O. Box 640, Westfield, MA 01085
Phone: 413-568-0985; Fax: 413-568-0986
robl@rlaland.com
Field Inspection Photos
Lots 3-5, Grove Street, Northampton, MA
RLA Project #070802
View of replication area looking northwest 10/23/08
t■
75 Broad Street Suite C, P.O. Box 640, Westfield, MA 01085
Phone: 413-568-0985; Fax: 413-568-0986
robl@rlaland.com
Field Inspection Photos
Lots 3-5, Grove Street, Northampton, MA
RLA Project #070802
View of replication area looking northwest 10/23/08
View of re lication area looking west 10/23/08
Field Inspection Photos
Lots 3-5, Grove Street, Northampton, MA
RLA Project #070802
I
View of re lication area looking northeast 10/23/08
r N
View of replication area looking east/northeast 10/23/08
75 Broad Street Suite C, P.O. Box 640, Westfield, MA 01085
Phone: 413-568-0985; Fax: 413-568-0986
robl@rlaland.com