Commonwealth ofmassachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office

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1 Commonwealth ofmassachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office ReCEIVED DEC 2 8 ZOIl Environmental Notification Form For Office Use o?, EEA#: /"'/ 7'~ MEPA AnaIYs ylk,,,y~ J;l,l1sCJf1 TfJe information req fjested on t:t: form must be completed in order to submit a document electronically for review under t e Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, 301 CMR Project Name: Amherst - Reconstruction of Route 116 (West Street} Street Address: Route 116 (West Street) Municipality: Amherst Watershed: Connecticut Universal Transverse Mercator Coordinates: Latitude: 42 18' " North E N Longitude: 72 31' " West Estimated commencement date: Nov 2013 Estimated completion date: Nov 2014 Project Type: Transportation Status of project design: 100 %complete Proponent: Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Highway Division Street Address: 10 Park Plaza, Room 4260 Municipality: Boston I State: MA I Zip Code: Name of Contact Person: Greg Dlubac Firm/Agency: MassDOT Street Address: 10 Park Plaza, Room 4260 Municipality: Boston State: MA I Zip Code: Phone: (617) I Fax: (617) I gregory.dlubac@state.ma.us Does this project meet or exceed a mandatory EIR threshold (see 301 CMR 11.03)? DYes [gino If this is an Expanded Environmental Notification Form (ENF) (see 301 CMR 11.05(7)) or a Notice of Project Change (NPC), are you requesting: a Single EIR? (see 301 CMR 11.06(8)) DYes [gino a Special Review Procedure? (see 301 CMR 11.09) DYes [gino a Waiver of mandatory EIR? (see 301 CMR 11.11) DYes ~No a Phase I Waiver? (see 301 CMR 11.11) DYes [gino (Note: Greenhouse Gas Emissions analysis must be included in the Expanded ENF.) Which MEPA review threshold(s) does the project meet or exceed (see 301 CMR 11.03)? 301 CMR (1)(b)3, 301 CMR 11.03(6)(b)1.b, 310 CMR 11.03(6)(b)2.a Which State Agency Permits will the project require? The project will require the following state and federal permits: WPA Order of Conditions, Section 106 Determination of Effect in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, NEPA Categorical Exclusion Determination, USACE Section 404 Massachusetts General Permit, NPDES General Construction Permit. Identify any financial assistance or land transfer from an Agency of the Commonwealth, including the Agency name and the amount of funding or land area in acres: The project requires an Article 97 transfer from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. The total area of land is 0.67 acres required for the realignment of the State Highway Layout and for drainage easements. The projects total estimated cost is $4.0 million which will be 80% Federally-funded and 20% State Funded. MS-PA Effective January 2011

2 Summary of Project Size & Environmental Impacts Existing Change Total New acres of land altered Acres of impervious area 0.84 acres Square feet of new bordering vegetated wetlands alteration 1,711 sf perm. 1,242 sf temp. Square feet of new other wetland alteration 278 linear feet (Sank) 1,322 sf perm. (LUW) Acres of new non-water dependent use of tidelands or waterways Number of housing units Maximum height (feet) TRANSPORTATION Vehicle trips per day Parking spaces WASTEWATER - Water Use (Gallons per day) Water withdrawal (GPO) Wastewater generation/treatment (GPO) Length of water mains (miles) Length of sewer mains (miles) Has this project been filed with MEPA before? DYes (EEA# ) ~No Has any project on this site been filed with MEPA before? DYes (EEA# ) ~No - 2

3 GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION - all proponents must fill out this section PROJECT DESCRIPTION: - I The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (lviassdot) Highway Division proposes to use federal funds to reconstruct, widen and re-align an approximately 1-mile segment of Route 116 (West Street) in Amherst, Massachusetts. The purpose of the proposed improvements is to increase safety and decrease accidents-along this stretch of roadway by improving sight distances at all horizontal and vertical curves, providing a roadway shoulder for snow storage and providing refuge for disabled vehicles, and improving pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. Existing Conditions Route 116 (West Street) is a north-south roadway in the southeastern portion of the Town of Amherst. The area surrounding the project corridor is predominately forested, publicly-owned land. The distinctive landscape, a seven-mile ridge that runs from Hadley to Belchertown, gives this area the name "The Notch." As a result, the roadway is curvilinear as it winds its way through the rises that make up the ridge. The project corridor is surrounded primarily by public open space. Route 116 is adjacent to the Mount Holyoke Range State Park, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Additionally, on the east side of the roadway is the privately-owned and operated Norwottuck Fish and Game property. Public land owned by the Amherst Conservation Commission is located to the west of the roadway. Other protected properties owned by the town of Amherst are located on either side of the roadway. The only residential area is near the northern terminus at the intersection of Country Corners Road and Route 116. A stone quarry is located near the southern terminus of the project corridor. The existing roadway varies in width throughout the project corridor, but is generally 20 feet wide. There are no roadway shoulders or sidewalks. In some areas, there are guardrails lining the roadway. The roadway su(face is in a deteriorated condition. A 42-inch diameter culvert located under the roadway provides a connection between bordering vegetated wetlands on both sides of Route 116. An unnamed intermittent stream channel flows easterly from a private owner's property on the west side of Route 116 to the Norwottuck Fish and Game property to the east. Proposed Improvements MassDOT proposes to reconstruct approximately 1 mile (5,315 feet) segment of Route 116 (West Street) in Amherst, Massachusetts. The northern terminus of the project is approximately 400 feet north of Country Corners Road. The southern terminus of the project is approximately 175 feet north of the Amherst-South Hadley-Granby town line. Throughout the project corridor, MassDOT proposes to reconstruct and widen Route 116 to provide two 11-foot travel lanes and two 4-foot shoulders. A 2,000-foot long segment of roadway will be relocated to flatten out a series of sharp curves at the southern terminus of the proposed project. As proposed, the roadway will not shift more than 65 feet to the west and not more than 20 feet to the east. Relocation of the roadway requires the acquisition of 0.67 acres of land within the Mount Holyoke Range State Park and 0.25 acres of land owned by the Amherst Conservation Commission for a total of 0.92 acres. Unused pavement will be removed and the area will be restored, along with any additional disturbed areas. The project also includes the construction of two left-turn lanes: one in northbound direction at - 3

4 Country Corners Road, and the other in the southbound direction at the entrance of the Lane's Amherst Quarry. Proposed work also includes the following construction activities: Constructing a new 1 O-foot wide asphalt shared use path (continuation of the pedestrian/bicycle path proposed as part of lviassdot Project immediately north of this project) along the westerly side of Route 116, extending from the northern terminus 400 feet south to Country Corners Road intersection, where the shared use path will end. Constructing a 1,1 OO-foot long paved waterway and a 450-foot long grass ditch along the easterly side of Route 116, and 400-foot long paved waterway on the westerly side of Route 116. Installing drainage structures beneath the existing roadway and drainage outlets with stone pipe ends at various locations adjacent to the roadway. Reconstructing an existing bus stop area at the entrance to the Mount Holyoke Range State Park, including a 5-foot wide sidewalk leading to the park entrance. Eight hundred feet of the roadway near the northern terminus of the project will be milled and overlain and the remaining 4,515 feet of the project corridor including the proposed shoulders require full-depth reconstruction. Relocating the driveway to an abutting property on the westerly side of Route 116. Removing the existing guardrail and installing a new steel beam guardrail in sections of the project corridor. Installing asphalt berm at the edge of the roadway. Installing pavement markings and signs and grading slopes at the edge of the roadway. Alternatives Three construction alternatives were considered: No Build Alternative; Cold Plane and Resurfacing Only, and Full Depth Reconstruction and Cold Plane and Resurfacing with Widening (the Preferred Alternative described above). No improvements would be made to Route 116 under the No Build Alternative. This alternative was rejected because it would not improve safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, nor would it address the deteriorated condition of the existing roadway. The Cold Plane and Resurfacing Only Alternative would address the deteriorated condition of the existing roadway by removing the deteriorated surface and replacing it with a new Hot Mix Asphalt surface course. However, this alternative was not chosen because it would not address the necessary safety improvements. This alternative would not realign the roadway and would not result in the necessary horizontal and vertical roadway geometric improvements. The horizontal and vertical roadway geometric improvements are needed to establish minimum sight distances which would improve the safety of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The Full Depth Reconstruction and Cold Plane and Resurfacing with Widening Alternative was chosen because the roadway will be reconstructed with a long lasting full depth pavement structure with foundation and the horizontal and vertical roadway geometry will be upgraded to current MassDOT standards. This option will increase safety for motorists by improving sight distances and by providing two new separate left turn lanes, where necessary. This option will also irnprove access for bicyclists and pedestrians by providing two 4-foot wide outside shoulders. - 4

Environmental Impacts and Mitigation The proposed project will result in approximately 1,711 square feet (sf) of permanent impacts to bordering vegetated wetlands (BVW), 1,242 sf of temporary impacts

5 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation The proposed project will result in approximately 1,711 square feet (sf) of permanent impacts to bordering vegetated wetlands (BVW), 1,242 sf of temporary impacts to BVW, 1,322 sf of impacts to land under water (LUW) and 278 linear feet of bank. MassDOT proposes a 1,800 square foot BVW replication area in the same area as the impacts, along with 188 linear feet of bank and 564 sf of LUW. Permitting Status The proposed project is included on the Pioneer Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization's Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and will receive funding as a high priority project. The project is currently programmed on the Fiscal Year 2012 element of the TIP. The proposed project requires a Wetlands Protection Act Order of Conditions from the Amherst Conservation Commission for 1,711 square feet (sf) of permanent impacts to bordering vegetated wetlands (BVW), 1,242 sf of temporary impacts to BVW, 1,322 sf of impacts to land under water (LUW) and 278 linear feet of bank. The project also requires a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Massachusetts General Permit for these wetland impacts. MassDOT proposes a 1,800 square foot BVW replication area in the same area as the impacts, along with 188 linear feet of bank and 564 sf of LUW. MassDOT will submit the appropriate permit applications to the Amherst Conservation Commission and the USACE. A letter from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service dated March 16, 2006 stated there were no threatened or endangered species or critical habitat under its jurisdiction in the project area but there were records of small whorled pagonia (/sotria medeoloides) in the vicinity of the project. Subsequent to its first letter, the project scope of work changed and in another letter dated August 29, 2008, the same authority restated that there were no threatened or endangered species or critical habitat under its jurisdiction in the project area and that the presence of the small whorled pagonia in the project area was not expected. As determined in a letter from Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP), dated July 13, 2009, Priority Habitat or Estimated Habitat of rare species or wildlife are within the project area. The letter set forth conditions which the project must adhere to. Condition Il.b outlines the need for a qualified botanist to survey the project area for listed plant species. This was completed, and NHESP concurred with the negative findings of that survey and subsequent report. Furthermore, recent changes in the limit of work to address an area of rock slide at the southern limits of work have been coordinated with the NHESP. NHESP responded with construction conditions, and stated that their July 13, 2009 response is still valid. Throughout the permitting process and durir;lg construction, MassDOT will continue to coordinate review under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA), as required, to ensure no impacts to the state-listed species occur. The proposed project requires an Article 97 transfer due to the State Highway Layout Alteration to realign the roadway. The total amount of land that will be required is approximately 0.92 acres, although only the 0.67 acres of land within the Mount Holyoke Range State Park is subject to Article 97. The other 0.25 acres is public land owned by the Amherst Conservation Commission. MassDOT intends to offer both the OCR and the Amherst Conservation Commission an equal amount of land, approximately 0.97 acres, along Route 116 within the project limits in exchange for the proposed takings. House Bill 3792, An Act authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to acquire certain parcels of land in the town of Amherst, was approved by the House and Senate, and has been signed by the Governor in Chapter 184 of the Acts of A review of the National and State Registers of Historic Places disclosed no listed properties within or adjacent to the project corridor. A review of the Inventory of Historical and Archaeological Assets of the Commonwealth disclosed no inventoried properties within or adjacent to the project corridor. MassDOT's Cultural Resources Unit (CRU) staff visited the - 5

project area on several occasions in 2009 and determined that there are no properties immediately adjacent to the project corridor that might be eligible for individual listing on the National

6 project area on several occasions in 2009 and determined that there are no properties immediately adjacent to the project corridor that might be eligible for individual listing on the National Register of Historic Places or that might constitute any part of a National Registereligible historic district. Additionally, due to the known presence of archaeological sites, an apparent lack of disturbance of the adjacent landscape, and the sizable extent of project impacts, surveys for archaeological resources were completed in July No potentially significant archaeological sites were found during the surveys, and no further survey is required. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), the Mashpee Tribe, and the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs were contacted for any concerns or information they may have related to the project. No response was received. MassDOT's CRU determined that the project will result in "No Historic Properties Affected," in accordance with Stipulation V.B. of the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement. The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) concurred that the proposed project would not result in an adverse effect to historic, cultural, or archaeological resources. Construction Phasing The proposed project is not anticipated to be constructed in phases. At least one lane of traffic will remain open during construction, and no detour or temporary roadway is proposed. AREAS OF CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN: Is the project within or adjacent to an Area of Critical Environmental Concern? DYes (Specify )!:8JNo if yes, does the ACEC have an approved Resource Management Plan? _ Yes _ No; If yes, describe how the project complies with this plan. Will there be storm water runoff or discharge to the designated ACEC? _ Yes _ No; If yes, describe and assess the potential impacts of such stormwater runoff/discharge to the designated ACEC. RARE SPECIES: Does the project site include Estimated and/or Priority Habitat of State-Listed Rare Species? (see )!:8JYes (Specify Glaucescent Sedge, Green Rock-cross, Violet Wood-sorrel, Purple Clematis, Eastern Box Turtle, and a data sensitive threatened plant species) DNo As determined in a letter from Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP), dated July 13, 2009, Priority Habitat or Estimated Habitat of rare species or wildlife are within the project area. The letter set forth conditions which the project must adhere to. Condition II.b outlines the need for a qualified botanist to survey the project area for listed plant species. This was completed, and NHESP concurred with the negative findings of that survey and subsequent report. Furthermore, recent changes in the limit of work to address an area of rock slide at the southern limits of work have been coordinate with the NHESP. NHESP responded with construction conditions, and stated that their July 13, 2009 response is still valid. Throughout the permitting process and during construction, MassDOT will continue to coordinate review under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA), as required, to ensure no impacts to the state-listed species occur. HISTORICAL IARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES: Does the project site include any structure, site or district listed in the State Register of Historic Place or the inventory of Historic and Archaeological Assets of the Commonwealth? DYes (Specify )!:8JNo If yes, does the project involve any demolition or destruction of any listed or inventoried historic or archaeological resources? DYes (Specify ).!:8JNo WATER RESOURCES: Is there an Outstanding Resource Water (ORW) on or within a half-mile radius of the project site? _ YesLNo; if yes, identify the ORW and its location. ~ - 6

October 26,2006 CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL NOTIFICATION FORM

- - Mil7 ROMNEY GOVERNOR KERRY HEALEY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Tel. (617) 626-1000 Fax. (617) 626-1 181 http://www.mass.govlenvir ROBERT W. GOLLEDGE, JR. SECRETARY October 26,2006 CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY