Salem Port Expansion Environmental Notification Form - 2008372 Merrimac Street
Newburyport
Massachusetts
01950
(978) 465-1428
Fax
(978) 465-2640
www.vineassociates.net
April 15, 2008
Secretary Ian A. Bowles
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Attn: MEPA Office
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
Re: Environmental Notification Form
Salem Port Expansion
Salem, MA
Dear Secretary Bowles:
On behalf of the City of Salem, (the “Project Proponent”), Vine Associates, Inc. is pleased to
submit the enclosed Environmental Notification Form (ENF) for the Salem Port Expansion.
The Project proposes to construct a multi use water transportation facility on a site owned by
Dominion and located in the Salem Harbor Designated Port Area in the City of Salem.
The development of this facility has been planned and evaluated by the City of Salem over
the past several years. The proposed development plan includes land and waterside
improvements including pedestrian and vehicular access; parking; a water transportation
terminal with passenger facilities, office and storage space; and a fixed pile supported pier
and a system of gangways and floating docks/barges to accommodate a variety of vessels
such as commercial fishing boats, small coastal cruise ships, visiting ships, water taxis,
excursion vessels and a supply boat.
The facility will require dredging of 8.3 acres of Salem Harbor to create navigable areas with
sufficient depths to accommodate the vessels programmed for the site. The U.S. Army Corps
has recently determined that the sediments proposed for dredging are suitable for offshore
open water disposal in the Massachusetts Bay Disposal Site.
The project is required to file an ENF as it will alter a coastal bank (note that the bank was
previously altered); alter more than ½ acre of wetland resources from the proposed dredging
activities; dredge more than 10,000 cubic yards of material; and expand pile supported
structures occupying flowed tidelands more than 2,000 sf in base area (301 CMR
11.03(3)(b)(1)(b) and (f) and (3), (4), and (6)).
The project is an important economic initiative for the City that is included in the City’s 2008
Municipal Harbor Plan. This City Project has received funding from and is supported by the
state Seaport Council as well as other organizations in the City. The City expects to
complete the project design in the winter of 2008 and begin construction in the spring of
2009.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you
have any questions at (978) 465-1428.
Sincerely,
VINE ASSOCIATES, INC.
Susan St. Pierre
Principal
cc: K. Driscoll, Mayor City of Salem
D. Babb-Brott, MEPA Director
Enclosures
1 original signed ENF
1 copy of signed ENF
1 copy of first three pages of ENF including project description
Submitted to:
MEPA Office
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA
Submitted by:
Vine Associates, Inc.
Submitted for:
City of Salem
120 Washington Street
Salem, MA
April 15, 2008
SALEM PORT EXPANSION
Salem, Massachusetts
Environmental Notification Form
Vine Associates, Inc.
372 Merrimac St.
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-465-1428
978-465-2640
1
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Environmental
Affairs g MEPA Office
Environmental
Notification Form
The information requested on this form must be completed to begin MEPA Review in
accordance with the provisions of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, 301 CMR
11.00.
Project Name: Salem Port Expansion
Street: 10 Blaney Street
Municipality: Salem Watershed: South River /Salem Harbor
Universal Tranverse Mercator Coordinates: Latitude: 42.522398
Longitude: 70.882804 W
Estimated commencement date: Spring 2009 Estimated completion date: Spring 2011
Approximate cost: $14.73million Status of project design: 25%complete
Proponent: City of Salem
Street: 120 Washington Street
Municipality: Salem State: MA Zip Code: 01970
Name of Contact Person From Whom Copies of this ENF May Be Obtained:
Susan St. Pierre
Firm/Agency: Vine Associates, Inc. Street: 372 Merrimac Street
Municipality: Newburyport State: MA Zip Code: 01950
Phone: 978-465-1428 Fax: E-mail:
sst.pierre@vineassociates.net
Does this project meet or exceed a mandatory EIR threshold (see 301 CMR 11.03)?
Yes No
Has this project been filed with MEPA before?
Yes (EOEA No. ) No
Has any project on this site been filed with MEPA before?
Yes (EOEA No. 13558 No
Is this an Expanded ENF (see 301 CMR 11.05(7)) requesting:
a Single EIR? (see 301 CMR 11.06(8)) Yes No
a Special Review Procedure? (see 301CMR 11.09) Yes No
a Waiver of mandatory EIR? (see 301 CMR 11.11) Yes No
a Phase I Waiver? (see 301 CMR 11.11) Yes No
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): Seaport Bond Bill
Funding has been provided for design and permitting and is expected for construction
Are you requesting coordinated review with any other federal, state, regional, or local agency?
Yes(Specify_________________________) No
For Office Use Only
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
EOEA No.:
MEPA Analyst:
Phone: 617-626- ENF
2
List Local or Federal Permits and Approvals: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 10/Section 404
Permit, Salem Conservation Commission Notice of Intent.
Which ENF or EIR review threshold(s) does the project meet or exceed (see 301 CMR 11.03):
Land Rare Species Wetlands, Waterways, & Tidelands
Water Wastewater Transportation
Energy Air Solid & Hazardous Waste
ACEC Regulations Historical & Archaeological
Resources
Summary of Project Size
& Environmental Impacts
Existing Change Total State Permits &
Approvals
LAND
Total site acreage 2.04
New acres of land altered 0
Acres of impervious area .15 1.89 2.04
Square feet of new bordering
vegetated wetlands alteration
0
Square feet of new other wetland
alteration (Watersheet)
362,000
Acres of new non-water
dependent use of tidelands or
waterways
0
STRUCTURES
Gross square footage 467 10,024 10,500
Number of housing units 0 0 0
Maximum height (in feet) 0 32 (to peak) 32 (to peak)
TRANSPORTATION
Vehicle trips per day 848 weekday
694 weekend
272 weekday
752 weekend
1120
weekday
1446
weekend
Parking spaces 196 -50 146
WATER/WASTEWATER
Gallons/day (GPD) of water use 78 3772 3850
GPD water withdrawal 0 0 0
GPD wastewater generation/
treatment
71 3122 3300
Length of water/sewer mains (in
miles)
0 0 0
Order of Conditions
Superseding Order
of
Conditions
Chapter 91 License
401 Water Quality
Certification
MHD or MDC
Access
Permit
Water Management
Act Permit
New Source
Approval
DEP or MWRA
Sewer Connection/
Extension Permit
Other Permits
(including Legislative
Approvals) –
Specify:
CONSERVATION LAND: Will the project involve the conversion of public parkland or other Article 97 public
natural resources to any purpose not in accordance with Article 97?
3
Yes (Specify__________________________________ ) No
Will it involve the release of any conservation restriction, preservation restriction, agricultural preservation
restriction, or watershed preservation restriction?
Yes (Specify__________________________________ ) No
RARE SPECIES: Does the project site include Estimated Habitat of Rare Species, Vernal Pools, Priority
Sites of Rare Species, or Exemplary Natural Communities?
Yes (Specify__________________________________ ) No
HISTORICAL /ARCHAEOLOGICAL 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?
Yes (Specify__________________________________ ) No
If yes, does the project involve any demolition or destruction of any listed or inventoried historic or
archaeological resources?
Yes (Specify___________________________________ ) No
AREAS OF CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN: Is the project in or adjacent to an Area of Critical
Environmental Concern?
Yes (Specify__________________________________ ) No
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project description should include (a) a description of the
project site, (b) a description of both on-site and off-site alternatives and the impacts associated
with each alternative, and (c) potential on-site and off-site mitigation measures for each alternative
(You may attach one additional page, if necessary.)
See Attached Project Description
1
SALEM PORT EXPANSION PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Project Purpose
The City of Salem proposes to redevelop 10 Blaney Street into a multi use port facility. The 2.04 acre site
is located off of Derby Street in the Salem Harbor Designated Port Area and is owned by Dominion. The
site currently contains an interim floating dock system, a gravel parking area that can accommodate about
196 vehicles, and an office trailer used by the Salem Ferry, Nathaniel Bowditch, which has been providing
seasonal commuter ferry service from the site to Boston since 2006. The City is currently under agreement
with the offshore supply vessel and for several ports-of-call for a coastal cruise company in 2007 both of
which are anticipated to be users of the proposed facility.
The Project offers a unique and exciting opportunity for the City of Salem to redevelop an underutilized
site located on Salem Harbor into an economic engine and a tourist gateway for the community. While
the site is currently owned by Dominion, the City expects to gain development control over the site in the
near future.
Project Background
The Salem Port Expansion Project has been the subject of planning, economic, and engineering studies
over the past several years that recommend the development of a multi use water transportation facility
that could service a variety of vessels including the existing Salem Ferry Nathaniel Bowditch, excursion
boats, water taxis, LNG Offshore supply boat, commercial fishing boats, visiting ships and small cruise
ships. The existing floating dock system was installed in 2006, a bathymetric survey, dredge sampling and
testing were performed in 2006/2007 and an updated site layout and program was developed in the
fall/winter of 2007.
Project Description
The proposed redevelopment plan for the site includes land and waterside improvements. The site is
located adjacent to the Dominion Power plant and residential neighborhoods. The site design has been
developed in response to this neighborhood context and includes traffic changes on Derby Street,
landscaping, and pedestrian amenities including continuous harborwalk and a fishing/viewing pier.
The facility has been designed for several vessel types (see Table 1 below) and includes a water
transportation terminal building with support space for the vessels. To accommodate the envisioned
vessel usage a fixed pile supported pier and floating dock/barge systems are proposed. Dredging is also
required to achieve water depths necessary for the desired uses. To the extent possible the existing
interim ferry facility components will be reused as part of the floating dock/barge system and the existing
pile support pier portion of the facility will be left in place as a fishing/viewing pier. The proposed land
and waterside facilities and improvements are summarized in Table 2 below and shown on Figure 1.
Pedestrian and cyclist amenities such as benches and lighting will be provided along the harborwalk.
Efforts will be made to design the proposed terminal building to achieve LEED certification, lighting for
the parking lot and harborwalk and trash receptacles will utilize solar powered designs and the feasibility
of incorporating wind generated energy into the facility will be explored. The proposed terminal building
will include a waiting area on the ground floor which can also be used for public gathering during off
season and off peak periods.
2
Table 1 Vessel Usage
Vessel Type Berthing Requirement
Usage
LNG Offshore Supply Vessel 130 ft berth at floating barge
Home Port
Salem Ferry 120 ft berth at ADA barge
Home Port
Coastal Cruise Vessels 250 ft berth at ADA Barge Day
Use
Small to Medium Cruise Vessels up to 400 ft at pier face Day
Use
Medium Cruise Ships up to 800 ft Anchorage Day
Use
Tenders to ADA barge Day
Use
Visiting Vessels/Tall Ships up to 400 ft at pier face
Day/Overnight
Excursion Vessels 120 ft berth at ADA Barge Live
Berth
Water Taxi 50 ft berth Float at ADA Barge
Table 2 Land and Waterside Improvements
Landside
• Vehicular access from Derby Street via Blaney Street with passenger drop off area suitable for truck, bus and
trolley access.
• Parking for 146 vehicles.
• Pedestrian access to/from Derby Street via White Street and internal pedestrian circulation along a 12 foot
wide pile supported Harborwalk.
• Electrical, water, sewage pump-out, trash dumpsters and lighting.
• A two story, 10,500 square foot Terminal Building that includes passenger waiting/ticketing; office and support
space; and maintenance storage areas (see Terminal Building Program on Table 3).
Waterside
• A fixed “L” shaped pier designed to accommodate trucks with adequate maneuvering, refueling and
provisioning space and space along the pier end to accommodate small coastal cruise ships (250 feet in length)
and visiting ships. The main pier leg is 32 feet wide and 250+/- feet long and the pier end varies in width from
20 to 50 feet and is 130 feet long.
• 10 ton crane capacity.
• Re-use of the existing 130 foot long float on the west side of the fixed pier to accommodate the Nathaniel
Bowditch ferry and small coastal cruise ships (185 feet in length).
• A series of steel floating docks on the east side of the fixed pier to accommodate the LNG offshore supply
boat, water taxis and excursion vessels.
• Float along the westerly side of the backland to accommodate the local fishing fleet and other vessels.
• Dredging approximately 217,000 cubic yards in an 8.63 acre (376,000 square feet) area to create three basins
with depths ranging from elevations – 10 to -26 feet Mean Low Water. The dredging of the most landward
basin includes approximately 45,000 square feet of intertidal area. This dredging is needed to create berthing
the local commercial fishing fleet and other smaller draft vessels and to allow floats to be placed closer to the
shoreline.
3
Figure 1
Proposed Development Plan
Not to Scale
4
Table 3
Terminal Building Program
Project Impacts
The Project site is a level, underdeveloped site currently used for parking and support space for the Salem
Ferry, Nathaniel Bowditch. The site currently contains open gravel parking area with a rough rip rap
bulkhead edge placed along the shoreline with a narrow walking path on top of the bank. There is also a
trailer that houses the Nathaniel Bowditch ferry offices.
Waterways and Wetlands
The proposed redevelopment of the site involves water-dependent industrial uses; facilities of public
accommodation and public access to and along the water’s edge on proposed on filled and flowed
5
tidelands in the Salem Harbor Designated Port Area (see Figure 2 below). The Project as designed meets
the performance standards of the state Chapter 91 regulations including those governing Designated Port
Areas (DPAs). As noted, the various components of the existing docking facility will be re-used as part of
the proposed facility to the extent practical. As a public amenity, the pile supported portion of the
existing docking facility will remain in place as a viewing/fishing pier as shown on Figure 1.
The site contains state wetland resource areas including Land Under Ocean, Coastal Beach, Land Subject
to Coastal Storm Flowage and Designated Port Area (DPAs) as shown of Figure 3. The harbor bottom
generally consists of a granular top layer of silty sand underlain by a cohesive silt/clay bottom layer1 and
according to the MassGIS mapping, the area does not contain vegetated shallows, salt marsh or shellfish
beds.
1 Based on sediment sampling and testing undertaken in 2005 in accordance with a sampling protocol approved by the U.S.
Army corps of Engineers.
Figure 2
Salem Harbor DPA
6
The state wetlands regulations presume that in DPAs, certain resource areas including coastal beaches and
tidal flats are not likely to be significant to marine fisheries, storm damage prevention or flood control but
that many species of marine fisheries including anadromous fish may inhabit such areas and may need to
pass through such areas to inland spawning areas or to the sea. The regulations also presume that Land
Under Ocean in DPAs is significant to marine fisheries, storm damage prevention and flood control and
therefore, water circulation and water quality are critical to the protection of marine fisheries and the
ability of land to provide support for adjacent coastal or man-made structures is critical to the protection
of storm damage prevention or flood control are therefore critical interests that need to be protected.
To accommodate the intended vessel usage, dredging of approximately 209,000 cubic yards of harbor
sediments is required to create three dredge basins totaling 8.3 acres (see Figure 4). The dredging will
occur within Coastal Beach (approximately 45, 000 square feet) and Land Under Ocean (approximately
317, 000 square feet) resource areas. The proposed dredging will result in temporary impacts to the Land
Under Ocean resource area. The Coastal Beach Resource area will be dredged to elevation -10 MLW and
will become subtidal. Best Management Practices will be used during construction to minimize impacts.
No permanent adverse impacts to the movement fish, water circulation or water quality are anticipated.
Furthermore, no alterations are proposed that would adversely affect the adjacent land to protect
buildings or structures from flood damage. The sediment in the proposed dredge basins has been
sampled and tested in accordance with a sampling plan approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
which has recently issued a suitability determination for open ocean disposal of the dredge sediments.
Other impacts to state wetland resource areas include the installation of a concrete retaining wall along the
entire shoreline to stabilize the shoreline which will occur on approximately 850 linear feet of previously
altered Coastal Bank. There is also a 3,950 sf square foot area located along the harborwalk and in the
vicinity of the terminal building that will be filled to allow the building to be constructed at grade rather
than on piles in this location. This activity will affect existing coastal bank and places approximately 1,580
sf of fill in this area below the high tide line but above mean low water. Other activities include
installation of piles to support the harborwalk and pier but these will be placed in areas already impacted
by the proposed dredging. Please refer to Figure 5 Proposed Site Fill.
7
Figure 3
Wetland and Waters Resource Areas
8
Not to Scale
Figure 4
Proposed Dredge Basins
9
An interagency meeting was held at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England Division on April 9,
2008 to discuss the proposed development plan. At that meeting, requirements for alternative analysis
and the need for providing mitigation measures, as outlined in the Mitigation Plan Guidance to offset the
intertidal dredging and filling, were discussed. The investigation of alternatives and final mitigation plan
will be developed during the permitting process.
Figure 5
Proposed Site Fill
Traffic and Parking
The proposed expansion of DPA marine industrial uses on the site is expected to increase vehicular traffic
above existing levels. Traffic on nearby streets will increase incrementally as the seasonal ferry services
continues to attract more visitors and as the year round Offshore LNG Supply Vessel operations expand
and contract from winter to summer and as additional vessel usage of the site occurs. To offset potential
increases in traffic on Derby Street in the near term, the City is proposing to provide two-way traffic on
Derby Street between White Street and Webb Street. This change will not require any major street
reconstruction however, on street parking along this portion of Derby Street will be removed and replaced
as angled parking along the south side of Derby Street near Dominion.
There will be a total loss of two parking spaces under this scheme. See Figure 6 for the proposed street
and parking changes. During the fall and winter seasons, the demand for parking by the site uses will
10
decrease the parking lot will be available for residential neighbors during winter snow storm events.
Utilities
The site will be serviced
by municipal water and
sewer to service the
proposed Terminal
Building and to provide
water service for vessels.
A sewer pump station
will be installed within
the turn around area. A
new subsurface storm
drainage system will be
installed with two new 18
inch stormwater outfalls.
The system will be
equipped with
Stormceptor and
oil/water separators. No
infiltration is proposed
due to groundwater being
tidal influenced.
Figure 6
Derby Street Improvements
11
Project History
The Salem Port Expansion Project was originally proposed in 1998 as a multi use marine facility capable
of berthing large cruise ships (800 feet long) as well as accommodating excursion/charter vessels, transient
vessels and the local commercial fishing fleet.
The landside development included retail and hotel uses as well as support facilities for the commercial
fishing and water transportation operations. The proposed development was designed to take advantage
of the site’s proximity to the federal channel and its location in the Salem Harbor Designated Port Area.
A ½ acre area of fill was proposed to accommodate retail uses in two buildings and dredging of
approximately 550,000 cubic yards of material was proposed.
In 2005, the project was reduced in scope based in part on public input as well as the results of market
studies which demonstrated that smaller cruise ships would be more likely to utilize the facility than larger
ships. The changes included a reduction in the size of the fixed pier to accommodate smaller class cruise
vessels; reduced dredge areas and volumes; and elimination of the hotel and retail uses as well as the ½
acre of fill from the development program. The water transportation terminal and commercial fishing
support buildings were retained. Parking was reduced to reflect the revised program.
Alternatives
In 2007, the City retained a waterfront consultant to develop a new schematic design for the project taking
into consideration, among other factors, existing facility use by the commuter/visitor ferry Nathaniel
Bowditch, and potential use by an offshore supply vessel for to support the Northeast Gateway deep water
LNG Port that has been constructed about 12 miles east of the City in Massachusetts Bay. The study
evaluated several alternative layouts of the facility as well as changes to the interior circulation system,
recommendations for a larger terminal building to accommodate offices and storage space for the
offshore supply vessel operations and the Salem Ferry. The terminal building public space will have
bathroom facilities and waiting area. The waiting area is to have a dual role of meeting/small function
space during the off season. The existing level of parking will be reduced to accommodate the building
and turning area requirements of trucks and emergency vehicles.
In addition to the preferred development plan shown on Figure 1, five other alternatives were considered
as part of the 2007 study. These alternatives (A, B, C, D and E) are similar in nature on the landside with
variations in the size of the terminal building and included different berthing configurations and pier
layouts for the same program of vessel usage (see figures on following pages). The site program was
based on previous market and site studies performed and have been modified based on the existing site
constraints. The City is currently undergoing a project management and operation study which will more
clearly define the site program needs in terms of both commercial vessel needs and upland building and
parking needs to support the water dependant uses. The alternatives were reviewed with the City, current
and anticipated site users, and an advisory group and the comments were incorporated into the preferred
development plan shown on Figure 1.
12
In the development of the site plan several key issues were identified:
1. The site is within the Salem DPA and as such is restricted to commercial water dependent
maritime activities
2. The City of Salem has an approved Harbor Plan which supports the proposed uses and
development of the site
3. The commercial vessel use includes the need to be MAAB and ADA compliant for passenger
vessel services including the Salem Ferry, cruise vessels and excursion vessels.
4. The City is currently under agreement with the offshore supply vessel and for several ports-of-call
for a coastal cruise company in 2007 both of which are anticipated to be users of the proposed
facility.
5. Both the ferry and the offshore supply vessel need to berth on floats but also need to have access
to the pier face for heavy load transfers.
6. The support pier needs to be designed for trucks and a truck crane loads to provide support of
the ferry and supply vessels operations.
7. The site needs to have a formal turning area sufficient for trolleys, buses, trucks and emergency
vehicles and the location of the turning area on the site is limited due to the site’s narrowness.
The location shown is what is believed to be the furthest inshore it can be to provide this
function.
8. The physical layout of the turning area limits the area available for the proposed terminal building
which, as a result, must be located along the waters edge. The project proposes to fill a small area
to allow that the building be placed on a grade and not on piling. Piling will be especially difficult
due to the amount of large stone present in the building area.
9. The inter-tidal area proposed for dredging is required to accommodate the berthing needs of the
local Lobster boat fleet which were identified as a specific need. The location is critical for
protection during winter storm conditions which is one of the major complaints about alternate
locations. The City also sees this as a great benefit to increase site utilization as they would be
present during the offseason.
The project does provide substantial public benefit with the creation of the harborwalk, the creation of
the fishing pier and the use of the terminal building for public space that could be utilized during the
offseason. Given the nature of the adjoining Dominion property, this site is seen as a transitional
development between the power plant and the residential users. The site is being designed to provide
public and visitor amenities and to enhance the site as a public gateway to Salem for ferry and cruise ship
passengers.
13
14
15
LAND SECTION – all proponents must fill out this section
I. Thresholds / Permits
A. Does the project meet or exceed any review thresholds related to land (see 301 CMR 11.03(1)
___ Yes X No; if yes, specify each threshold:
II. Impacts and Permits
A. Describe, in acres, the current and proposed character of the project site, as follows:
Existing Change Total
Footprint of buildings 0.01 0.23 0.24
Roadways, parking, and other paved areas 0.15 1.27 1.42
Other altered areas:
Landscaping n/a 0.34 0.34
Fill n/a 0.04 0.04
Undeveloped areas n/a n/a n/a
B. Has any part of the project site been in active agricultural use in the last three years?
___ Yes X No; if yes, how many acres of land in agricultural use (with agricultural soils) will be
converted to nonagricultural use?
C. Is any part of the project site currently or proposed to be in active forestry use?
___ Yes X No; if yes, please describe current and proposed forestry activities and indicate
whether any part of the site is the subject of a DEM-approved forest management plan:
D. Does any part of the project involve conversion of land held for natural resources purposes in
accordance with Article 97 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth to any
purpose not in accordance with Article 97? ___ Yes X No; if yes, describe:
E. Is any part of the project site currently subject to a conservation restriction, preservation restriction,
agricultural preservation restriction or watershed preservation restriction? __ Yes X No;
if yes, does the project involve the release or modification of such restriction? ___ Yes ___ No; if yes,
describe:
F. Does the project require approval of a new urban redevelopment project or a fundamental change
in an existing urban redevelopment project under M.G.L.c.121A? ___ Yes X No; if yes, describe:
G. Does the project require approval of a new urban renewal plan or a major modification of an
existing urban renewal plan under M.G.L.c.121B? Yes ___ No X ; if yes, describe:
H. Describe the project's stormwater impacts and, if applicable, measures that the project will take
to comply with the standards found in DEP's Stormwater Management Policy:
The project is a redevelopment project and will not increase stormwater runoff from the site. There
are two new storm drain outfalls proposed at the site. To provide water quality treatment to the
stormwater prior to discharge, stormceptors will be provided. No infiltration is proposed as
groundwater is tidal saltwater.
I. Is the project site currently being regulated under M.G.L.c.21E or the Massachusetts
Contingency Plan? Yes ___ No X ; if yes, what is the Release Tracking Number (RTN)?
J. If the project is site is within the Chicopee or Nashua watershed, is it within the Quabbin, Ware,
or
Wachusett subwatershed? ___ Yes X No; if yes, is the project site subject to regulation under the
Watershed Protection Act? ___ Yes ___ No
K. Describe the project's other impacts on land: None
16
III. Consistency
A. Identify the current municipal comprehensive land use plan and the open space plan and
describe the consistency of the project and its impacts with that plan(s):
The proposed use is consistent with City zoning and the Salem Municipal Harbor Plan.
B. Identify the current Regional Policy Plan of the applicable Regional Planning Agency and
describe the consistency of the project and its impacts with that plan:
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Metro Plan recommends that development be concentrated
and supports infill development in and around existing downtown area. The Project achieves these
goals. Furthermore the project advances the state goals of encouraging water-dependent industrial
uses in state Designated Port Areas and encouraging water transportation.
C. Will the project require any approvals under the local zoning by-law or ordinance (i.e. text or map
amendment, special permit, or variance)? Yes X No ; if yes, describe:
Planning Board Planned Unit Development
D. Will the project require local site plan or project impact review?
Yes X No; if yes, describe: Planning Board Site Plan Review
RARE SPECIES SECTION
I. Thresholds / Permits
A. Will the project meet or exceed any review thresholds related to rare species or habitat (see
301 CMR 11.03(2))? ___ Yes X No; if yes, specify, in quantitative terms:
B. Does the project require any state permits related to rare species or habitat? ___ Yes X No
C. If you answered "No" to both questions A and B, proceed to the Wetlands, Waterways, and
Tidelands Section. If you answered "Yes" to either question A or question B, fill out the remainder
of the Rare Species section below.
II. Impacts and Permits
A. Does the project site fall within Priority or Estimated Habitat in the current Massachusetts Natural
Heritage Atlas (attach relevant page)? ___ Yes X No. If yes,
1. Which rare species are known to occur within the Priority or Estimated Habitat (contact:
Environmental Review, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Route 135,
Westborough, MA 01581, allowing 30 days for receipt of information):
2. Have you surveyed the site for rare species? ___ Yes X No; if yes, please include the
results of your survey.
3. If your project is within Estimated Habitat, have you filed a Notice of Intent or received an
Order of Conditions for this project? ___ Yes ___ No; if yes, did you send a copy of the
Notice of Intent to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, in accordance
with the Wetlands Protection Act regulations? ___ Yes ___ No
B. Will the project "take" an endangered, threatened, and/or species of special concern in
accordance with M.G.L. c.131A (see also 321 CMR 10.04)? ___ Yes X No; if yes, describe:
C. Will the project alter "significant habitat" as designated by the Massachusetts Division of
Fisheries and Wildlife in accordance with M.G.L. c.131A (see also 321 CMR 10.30)? __ Yes X No;
if yes, describe:
D. Describe the project's other impacts on rare species including indirect impacts (for example, stormwater
runoff into a wetland known to contain rare species or lighting impacts on rare moth habitat): N/A
17
WETLANDS, WATERWAYS, AND TIDELANDS SECTION
I. Thresholds / Permits
A. Will the project meet or exceed any review thresholds related to wetlands, waterways, and
tidelands (see 301 CMR 11.03(3))? X Yes ___ No; if yes, specify, in quantitative terms:
The facility will require dredging of 8.3 acres/209,000 cubic yards of material; alter approximately
850 linear feet of coastal bank; alter more than ½ acre of wetland resources from the proposed
dredging activities; and expand pile supported structures from 2,500 sf to 39,385 sf in base area.
B. Does the project require any state permits (or a local Order of Conditions) related to wetlands,
waterways, or tidelands? X Yes ___ No; if yes, specify which permit:
Chapter 91 License, 404 Water Quality Certificate and Order of Conditions under state wetland
regulations
C. If you answered "No" to both questions A and B, proceed to the Water Supply Section. If you
answered "Yes" to either question A or question B, fill out the remainder of the Wetlands,
Waterways, and Tidelands Section below.
II. Wetlands Impacts and Permits
A. Describe any wetland resource areas currently existing on the project site and indicate them on
the site plan:
Wetlands resource areas include Land Under Ocean, Coastal Beach (including tidal flats), Coastal
Bank and Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage. The Site is located in a state Designated Port
Area (see Figure 3, Wetlands and Waterways resource areas).
B. Estimate the extent and type of impact that the project will have on wetland resources, and
indicate whether the impacts are temporary or permanent:
Coastal Wetlands Area (in square feet) or Length (in linear feet)
Land Under the Ocean ______317,000 sf Temporary
Designated Port Areas ______362,000 sf Temporary
Coastal Beaches ______ 45,000 sf Permanent
Coastal Dunes ____________________________________
Barrier Beaches ____________________________________
Coastal Banks ______850 linear feet Permanent
Rocky Intertidal Shores ______0_____________________________
Salt Marshes ______0_____________________________
Land Under Salt Ponds ______0_____________________________
Land Containing Shellfish ______0_____________________________
Fish Runs ______0_____________________________
Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage_88,900sf
Inland Wetlands
Bank _______n/a__________________________
Bordering Vegetated Wetlands _______n/a __________________________
Land under Water _______n/a __________________________
Isolated Land Subject to Flooding _______n/a __________________________
Bordering Land Subject to Flooding _______n/a __________________________
Riverfront Area _______n/a __________________________
C. Is any part of the project
1. a limited project? ___ Yes X No
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2. the construction or alteration of a dam? ___ Yes X No; if yes, describe:
3. fill or structure in a velocity zone or regulatory floodway? ___ Yes X No
4. dredging or disposal of dredged material? __X_ Yes No; if yes, describe the volume of
dredged material and the proposed disposal site:
Dredging of approximately 209,000 cubic yards of harbor sediments is required. The U.S. Army
Corps recently issued a determination that the sediments are suitable for open ocean disposal in
the Mass Bay Disposal Site.
5. a discharge to Outstanding Resource Waters? ___ Yes X No
6. subject to a wetlands restriction order? ___ Yes X No; if yes, identify the area (in square
feet):
D. Does the project require a new or amended Order of Conditions under the Wetlands Protection
Act (M.G.L. c.131A)? X Yes ___ No; if yes, has a Notice of Intent been filed or a local Order of
Conditions issued? ___ Yes X No; if yes, list the date and DEP file number:______________.
Was the Order of Conditions appealed? ___ Yes X No. Will the project require a variance from
the Wetlands regulations? ___ Yes X No.
E. Will the project:
1. be subject to a local wetlands ordinance or bylaw? ___ Yes X No
2. alter any federally-protected wetlands not regulated under state or local law?
___ Yes X No; if yes, what is the area (in s.f.)?
F. Describe the project's other impacts on wetlands (including new shading of wetland areas or
removal of tree canopy from forested wetlands):
Project includes pile supported structures within wetland resource areas, however the piles are being
placed within the dredged footprint and/or coastal bank, and therefore do not present an additional
impacts over that previously described.
III. Waterways and Tidelands Impacts and Permits
A. Is any part of the project site waterways or tidelands (including filled former tidelands) that are
subject to the Waterways Act, M.G.L.c.91? X Yes ___ No; if yes, is there a current Chapter 91
license or permit affecting the project site? X Yes ___ No; if yes, list the date and number:
No. 174 and 174A issued 1921; 3849 issued 1956; 4548 issued 1962; 4916 issued 1996.
B. Does the project require a new or modified license under M.G.L.c.91? X Yes ___ No; if yes,
how many acres of the project site subject to M.G.L.c.91 will be for non-water dependent use?
Current 0sf Change 0sf Total 0,sf
C. Is any part of the project
1. a roadway, bridge, or utility line to or on a barrier beach? ___ Yes X No; if yes,
describe:
2. dredging or disposal of dredged material? X Yes No; if yes, volume of dredged
material __209,000 cubic yards____
3. a solid fill, pile-supported, or bottom-anchored structure in flowed tidelands or other
waterways? X Yes ___ No; if yes, what is the base area? _Proposed = 27,485 square
feet (sf) (pile supported) +14,000 sf floats= 41,885 sf Exist =500 sf pile supported + 2000 sf
floats=2,500 sf Change = +39,385 sf._
4. within a Designated Port Area? X Yes __ No
D. Describe the project's other impacts on waterways and tidelands:
See Project Description.
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IV. Consistency:
A. Is the project located within the Coastal Zone? X Yes ___ No; if yes, describe the project's
consistency with policies of the Office of Coastal Zone Management:
The Project is located in the Salem Harbor state Designated Port Area. The Project compliance
with the CZM Policies governing ports are noted below.
PORTS POLICY #1 - Ensure that dredging and disposal of dredged material minimize
adverse effects on water quality, physical processes, marine productivity and public health.
The City will work with relevant local, state and federal agencies as part of the dredge
permitting process to ensure that the proposed dredging activities will minimize impacts on
water quality, physical processes, marine productivity and public health.
PORTS POLICY #2 - Obtain the widest possible public benefit from channel dredging,
ensuring that designated ports and developed harbors are given highest priority in the
allocation of federal and state dredging funds. Ensure that this dredging is consistent with
marine environment policies.
The proposed dredge basins and docking facilities have been designed to provide the widest
possible public benefit. The vessel types programmed for the site include commuter ferry,
water taxi, commercial fishing, excursion vessels and work boats. The Project Site is located
in a state Designated Port Area and is in close proximity to the federal channel that was
recently dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
PORTS POLICY #3 - Preserve and enhance the capacity of Designated Port Areas (DPAs)
to accommodate water-dependent industrial uses, and prevent the exclusion of such uses
from tidelands and any other DPA lands over which a state agency exerts control by virtue of
ownership, regulatory authority, or other legal jurisdiction.
The Project Site is located in the Salem Harbor state Designated Port Area. The Project is a
multi use water transportation facility that will accommodate water-dependent industrial uses.
PORTS MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLE #1 - Encourage, through technical and financial
assistance, expansion of water dependent uses in designated ports and developed harbors,
re-development of urban waterfronts, and expansion of visual access.
The Project will significantly expand water dependent uses in a state designated port and
developed harbor. The Project will re-develop and existing urban waterfront and provide a
critical link to the downtown area. Visual access to Salem Harbor will be provided by re-using
a portion of the existing docking facility as a viewing/fishing pier.
B. Is the project located within an area subject to a Municipal Harbor Plan? X Yes ___ No; if
yes, identify the Municipal Harbor Plan and describe the project's consistency with that plan:
The City of Salem’s Municipal Harbor Plan which was updated in 2008, recommends the
redevelopment of the Project Site into a multi use water transportation facility.
WATER SUPPLY SECTION
I. Thresholds / Permits
A. Will the project meet or exceed any review thresholds related to water supply (see 301 CMR
11.03(4))? ___ Yes X No; if yes, specify, in quantitative terms:
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B. Does the project require any state permits related to water supply? ___ Yes X No; if yes,
specify which permit:
C. If you answered "No" to both questions A and B, proceed to the Wastewater Section. If you
answered "Yes" to either question A or question B, fill out the remainder of the Water Supply Section
below.
WASTEWATER SECTION
I. Thresholds / Permits
A. Will the project meet or exceed any review thresholds related to wastewater (see 301 CMR
11.03(5))? __ Yes X No; if yes, specify, in quantitative terms:
B. Does the project require any state permits related to wastewater? ___ Yes X No; if yes,
specify which permit:
C. If you answered "No" to both questions A and B, proceed to the Transportation -- Traffic
Generation Section. If you answered "Yes" to either question A or question B, fill out the remainder
of the Wastewater Section below.
TRANSPORTATION -- TRAFFIC GENERATION SECTION
I. Thresholds / Permits
A. Will the project meet or exceed any review thresholds related to traffic generation (see 301 CMR
11.03(6))? ___ Yes X No; if yes, specify, in quantitative terms:
B. Does the project require any state permits related to state-controlled roadways? __ Yes X No;
if yes, specify which permit:
C. If you answered "No" to both questions A and B, proceed to the Roadways and Other
Transportation Facilities Section. If you answered "Yes" to either question A or question B, fill out the
remainder of the Traffic Generation Section below.
ROADWAYS AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES SECTION
I. Thresholds
A. Will the project meet or exceed any review thresholds related to roadways or other
transportation facilities (see 301 CMR 11.03(6))? ___ Yes X No; if yes, specify, in quantitative
terms:
B. Does the project require any state permits related to roadways or other transportation
facilities? ___ Yes X No; if yes, specify which permit:
C. If you answered "No" to both questions A and B, proceed to the Energy Section. If you
answered "Yes" to either question A or question B, fill out the remainder of the Roadways Section
below.
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ENERGY SECTION
I. Thresholds / Permits
A. Will the project meet or exceed any review thresholds related to energy (see 301 CMR 11.03(7))?
___ Yes X No; if yes, specify, in quantitative terms:
B. Does the project require any state permits related to energy? ___ Yes X No; if yes, specify
which permit:
C. If you answered "No" to both questions A and B, proceed to the Air Quality Section. If you
answered "Yes" to either question A or question B, fill out the remainder of the Energy Section
below.
AIR QUALITY SECTION
I. Thresholds
A. Will the project meet or exceed any review thresholds related to air quality (see 301 CMR
11.03(8))? ___ Yes __X_ No; if yes, specify, in quantitative terms:
B. Does the project require any state permits related to air quality? ___ Yes X No; if yes,
specify which permit:
C. If you answered "No" to both questions A and B, proceed to the Solid and Hazardous Waste
Section. If you answered "Yes" to either question A or question B, fill out the remainder of the Air
Quality Section below.
SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE SECTION
I. Thresholds / Permits
A. Will the project meet or exceed any review thresholds related to solid or hazardous waste (see
301 CMR 11.03(9))? ___ Yes X No; if yes, specify, in quantitative terms:
B. Does the project require any state permits related to solid and hazardous waste? __ Yes
X No; if yes, specify which permit:
C. If you answered "No" to both questions A and B, proceed to the Historical and Archaeological
Resources Section. If you answered "Yes" to either question A or question B, fill out the remainder
of the Solid and Hazardous Waste Section below.
HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES SECTION
I. Thresholds / Impacts
A. Is any part of the project site a historic structure, or a structure within a historic district, in either
case listed in the State Register of Historic Places or the Inventory of Historic and Archaeological
Assets of the Commonwealth? ___ Yes __X_ No; if yes, does the project involve the demolition of
all or any exterior part of such historic structure? ___ Yes __X_ No; if yes, please describe:
B. Is any part of the project site an archaeological site listed in the State Register of Historic Places
or the Inventory of Historic and Archaeological Assets of the Commonwealth? ___ Yes _X__ No; if
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yes, does the project involve the destruction of all or any part of such archaeological site? ___ Yes
_X__ No; if yes, please describe:
C. If you answered "No" to all parts of both questions A and B, proceed to the Attachments and
Certifications Sections. If you answered "Yes" to any part of either question A or question B, fill out
the remainder of the Historical and Archaeological Resources Section below.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Plan, at an appropriate scale, of existing conditions of the project site and its immediate context,
showing all known structures, roadways and parking lots, rail rights-of-way, wetlands and water
bodies, wooded areas, farmland, steep slopes, public open spaces, and major utilities.
2. Plan of proposed conditions upon completion of project (if construction of the project is proposed
to be phased, there should be a site plan showing conditions upon the completion of each
phase).
3. Original U.S.G.S. map or good quality color copy (8-½ x 11 inches or larger) indicating the
project location and boundaries
4 List of all agencies and persons to whom the proponent circulated the ENF, in accordance with
301 CMR 11.16(2).
5. Other:
CERTIFICATIONS:
1. The Public Notice of Environmental Review has been/will be published in the following newspapers
in accordance with 301 CMR 11.15(1):
Salem Evening News Wed April 23,2007
(Name) (Date)
2. This form has been circulated to Agencies and Persons in accordance with 301 CMR 11.16(2).
Date Signature of Responsible Officer Date Signature of person preparing
or Proponent ENF (if different from above)
Kimberley Driscoll Susan St. Pierre
Name (print or type) Name (print or type)
Mayor, City of Salem, Vine Associates, Inc .
Firm/Agency Firm/Agency
Salem City Hall 93 Washington Street 372 Merrimac Street
Street Street
Salem, MA 01970 Newburyport, MA 01970
Municipality/State/Zip Municipality/State/Zip
(978) 978-745-9595 ext. 5600 978-465-1428
Phone Phone
Locus Map ENF
Project
Site
New Text
Salem Port Expansion ENF
Project Site
Salem Port Expansion ENF
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DISTRIBUTION LIST
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
Senator Frederick Berry
State House
Room 333
Boston, MA 02133
State Representative John Keenan
State House Office
Room 136
Massachusetts State House
Boston, MA 02133
Mayor Kimberley Driscoll
Salem City Hall
93 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
STATE AGENCIES
EOEEA
Policy Director
Undersecretary for Policy
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
Department of Environmental Protection
Commissioner's Office
One Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108
Department of Environmental Protection
Northeast Regional office
Attn: MEPA Coordinator
205B Lowell Street
Wilmington, MA 01887
Department of Environmental Protection
Waterways Regulatory Program
One Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108
Office of Coastal Zone Management
Attn: Project Review Coordinator
251 Causeway Street, Suite 800
Boston, MA 02114
Division of Marine Fisheries (North Shore)
Attn: Environmental Reviewer
30 Emerson Avenue Gloucester, MA 01930
Executive Office of Transportation
Attn: Environmental Reviewer
10 Park Plaza, Room 3510
Boston, MA 02116-3969
Massachusetts Highway Department
District 4 Office
Public/Private Development Unit
10 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116
Massachusetts Highway Department
Attn: MEPA Coordinator
519 Appleton Street
Arlington, MA 02476
Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission
Attn: MEPA Coordinator
10 Park Plaza, Suite 3510
Boston, MA 02116
Massachusetts Historical Commission
The MA Archives Building
220 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125
Metropolitan Area Planning Council
60 Temple Place/6th floor
Boston, MA 02111
Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority
Attn: MEPA Coordinator
10 Park Plaza, 6th Fl.
Boston, MA 02216-3966
Salem Port Expansion ENF
2
CITY OF SALEM
City Council
93 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970
Planning Board
120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Salem, MA 01970
Conservation Commission
120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Salem, MA
Board of Health
120 Washington Street, 4th Floor
Salem, MA 01970
Salem Public Library
Essex Street
Salem, MA 01970
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