246-0701.pdfDATE:March 08, 2017 Municipality NORTHAMPTON
(city/town)
RE: NOTIFICATION OF WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT FILE NUMBER
The Department of Environmental Protection has received a Notice of Intent filed in accordance with the
Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 131, §40):
Applicant:
Address:
LOCUS:
SMITH COLLEGE, FACILITIES
126 WEST STREET
WEST STREET (ATHLETIC FIELDS)
Owner:TRUSTEES OF SMITH COLLEGE
Address:126 WEST STREET
NORTHAMPTON, MA, 01060
This project has been assigned the following file # :WE 246-0701
Although a file # is being issued, please note the following:
Commissioner
MARTIN SUUBERG
Secretary
MATTHEW A. BEATON
Lieutenant Governor
KARYN E. POLITO
Governor
CHARLES D. BAKER
A FILE NUMBER ONLY INDICATES THAT THE APPLICATION CONTAINS THE MINIMAL
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS AND IS ADMINISTRATIVELY COMPLETE - NOT THAT
THE INFORMATION IN THE APPLICATION IS ADEQUATE FOR ISSUANCE OF AN ORDER
OF CONDITIONS.
436 DWIGHT STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA 01103 413-784-1100
WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
NORTHAMPTON, MA 01060
[1] The Commission shall wait for 30 days or comments received from NHESP, whichever is first, before it closes
the public hearing
[2] The plan sheet L2 describes 2,617 square feet of additional impervious area and the narrative states there will
be 2,890 sq. ft. Please clarify. The narrative also states there will be only 3,000 sq. ft. of mitigation. Since
mitigation is proposed, then the requirements of 310 CMR 10.58(5)(g) must be met at a 2 to 1 basis, therefore the
regulations have not apparently been met. One can also do part of the work as restoration, part as mitigation. It is
not clear that an improvement over existing conditions has been provided. Acceptable improvements include, but
are not limited to: 1) A net reduction of impervious surfaces; 2) Planting of indigenous plant species. This
improvement must be over and above any restoration and/or mitigation.
[3] In the resource area impacts for Land Subject to Flooding, it states the FIRM was digitized and shown on the
plans. Doing that does not comply with the regulations. One must first review the Flood Insurance Study and then
use the FIRM to confirm the base flood elevations. Overlaying the flood map onto a plan will not usually provide
the correct areas that are subject to flooding.
This information is available in alternate format. Call Donald M. Gomes, ADA Coordinator at 617-556-1057. TDD# 1-866-539-7622 or 1-617-574-6868.
http://www.mass.gov/dep
Printed on Recycled Paper
SMITH COLLEGE, FACILITIES
126 WEST STREET
NORTHAMPTON, MA 01060
[4] Please note the requirements of 310 CMR 10.58(5)(h) for a continuing condition in the Certificate of Compliance
prohibiting further alteration of the restoration and/or mitigation areas except to maintain them in their restored or
mitigated condition.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact: MARK STINSON @ (413)-755-2257
Cc: Northampton Conservation Commission, CITY HALL, 210 MAIN STREEET RM 11, Northampton, MA, 01060
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Div of Fisheries & Wildlife Route 135, North Drive,
Westborough, MA, 01581
Owner: Trustees of Smith College, 126 West Street, NORTHAMPTON, MA, 01060
Representative: The Berkshire Design Group, Inc., 4 Allen Place, NORTHAMPTON, MA, 01060
This information is available in alternate format. Call Donald M. Gomes, ADA Coordinator at 617-556-1057. TDD# 1-866-539-7622 or 1-617-574-6868.
http://www.mass.gov/dep
Printed on Recycled Paper