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.