The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutConsultant Review - 1600 OSGOOD STREET 6/21/2005 ab/21/1b0b 18:08 b03b428b00 SEEKAMP ENVIRONMENTL PAGE 01 64 360 Fay. 60�4��5c xw RECEIVED ---... ,_._... JUN post•lt°F 1 200 e 767 Data �— p° J Fmin 5 T� Co./D°pt• ORTH ANDOVER Co,C June 21, 2005 CON88RVATION COMMISSION rn°no a Alison McKay, Conservation Administrator North Andover Conservation Commission 400 Osgood Street North Andover, MA 01 845 1600 Osgood Street,.Lucent Tech ologi g North Andover,MA (site) Dear Alison and Me s of the North Andover Conservation Commission: At your ivyuest Seekarnp Environmental Consulting, Inc. (Sic)has prepared the following report regarding our review of the wetland delineation and the"Notice of Intent for the Proposed Parking Lot and Drainage Improvements"prepared by.Epsilon Associates, Inc. dated May 2,6, 2003 (with ,supporting Site'Plans (plans)), We offer the following comments: Wetland Delineation: EVW/Bank SEC; auhRtantially agrees with the wetland delineation of the 13VW/Bank resource,placed in the field by Epsilon for flags along the west side of the resource WLF 395 through WLF 401, and flags along the east side of the resource WLF 395A through WLF 401A, This area is a relatively narrow Swale,. conerete lined but with.silt and sand accumulation to support a primarily wetland herbaceous community along it's entire reach, There is a narrow(presumed intermittent)stream within the channel here. However,we believe the wetland delineation plot prepared by Epsilon is in error in that the wetland resource(via Dank)is directly connected between wetland flags WLF 401 and WLF 30$, and WWL,F 401A and WLF 309, The stream continues through this area via the lined channel as a stream to the wetland 'area below the feature labeled"Existing Trash Gate Spillway" shown'on,the plans,:(See'Epsilon Attachment B-Photo#4) We recommend the plans be' revised to reflect this change. Buffer Zone Restoration: SEC finds the buffer zone restoration plantings prepared by Epsilon to be acceptable with the following,suggested revisions: . e Substitute the"ermion enntrol seed Unix"which typically contain such problematic species as bird's-foot trefoil and crown vetch, with a more specific ``upland meadow mix" free of these species.. pa ILE COPY ---- ----- ---- ------ o Reposition the selected shrub species to include the 25' foot no disturbance zone being restored over the proposed drainpipe location(See plan details #4). o Limit the tree clearing within the 25' no disturbance zone to select limbs sufficient to properly install the drainpipe while maintaining the crab apple(s) intact in the vicinity of the headwall. Alternatives Analysis: Upon review of selected alternatives SEC agrees that the preferred method is likely the best methodology from a long-term parking and drainage solution in balance with the amount of temporary disturbance within the 25 fbot no disturbance zone required to connect the drainage to the existing structure. If the design of the new pipe is expected to substantially increase flow velocities at the pipe outlet we recommend that the NACC discuss the possibility of installing stone aggregate at the outlet within the area of the headwall to help break up flows. Erosion Control-, SEC recommends that the construction contractor be required to designate a qualified individual to carefully monitor the condition of the wedand, headwall, mid cxistil%drainage system, particularly existing catch basins near or within the construction area to ensure that all erosion controls are properly functioning during project build-out. All catch basins potentially affected by construction of the new parking and drainage should be clearly identified and erosion controls should be maintained throughout project build-out. General Comments: It appears to us that the general areas along most of the area on both sides(east and west)of the wetland are currently mowed at least once every few years. This area is generally free of trees and mature shrubs and is primarily upland meadow. If possible we recommend that the NACC formalize an agreement with the property owners to continue this"open meadow managemeW of this area through rotational mowing at least once every three years to continue to promote this area as an upland 'meadow habitat adjacent to the small stream wetland. We trust this report is sufficient for your review. Please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned if you have any questions or comments. Sincerely, SEE X4W EWMONMM"C0NStMT1NG'1NC- r Oat-it,F§K Nge 7671, 0 0 91" Patriv*D. Sockamp, PWS TO Principal/Senior Wetland Scientist ® From cm/Dept. Phonei Phone 1) cc: Julie Vondrak, Epsilon Associates, Inc. Fox ' M�� flon M � ��WW ��v�� ~~ ^ � svc / x / wc |une23, 2O05 North Andover Conservation Commission 400 Osgood Street North Andover, MAU1O45 Subject: DEP #242-1314, YhW0 OmA00d Street Dear Commission Members: pn/wo/m/s 3eekanOp Env iron mental, Inc. ('SEC") has prepared a )etterclaieH June 21, 2005, rl o ^ e / pe ~« «rr n'"'' outlining comments from their review of the wetland delineation and the Notice ma,o^,efoa,/,os of Intent application ind Supporting site plans for the proposed parking lot and drainage improvements project located at lGOO Osgood Street, ()n June 20, m w/'^«e| s o»sm'«o 2005, /\|iS0n McKay, Patrick Seokan*p and myself conducted a site visit on the sVk'eC( property �O review the wetland delineation and discuss (h� proposed , �o» m mmnn'�/e drainage improvement project. [0nno1unts raised by SEC in the above o^/(-r n^,zn.sk/' ps referenced letter are ouUjmed below. Cindy Suxo,inocr Wetland Delineation As ns(p[eDced in the rpVicvv letter, SE[ SUbsbnRt\a|ly Jg[etS with the wetland Vic toria xp| ` /e�n�x ^'a ''' delineation of bordering vegetated vvet|0Od and bunk as delineated in the field Robert nn'm~u/'ucw and depicted on the site plan. SEC made note that flag VVLF 401 should be connected to VVLF 308 and that VVLF 401/\ be connected to VVLF309 to cnntinuOUs|y delineate the limit of the bank resource area. The interruption � o.,`� ),m between the flags is a plotting will revised plans �|� bm prepared to reflect wnY^a,u, "JA nv511 the correction. 978 897 7100 Buffer Zone Restoration mx978 8970099 SEC finds that the restoration plan prepared by Epsilon k) beacceptable. SEC recommended the proposed erosion control seed mix be sUbsbtVicd with o more specific "upland rnea6ovv mix" typically free Vf problematic species such as bird's-foot trefoil an(] crown vetch. Epsilon Concurs and will use mix free of problematic species. The contents of the Spcd8r mix will be submitted to the Conservation [nnnnnissioA prior toconstruction, SEC recommended the proposed mitigation plantings heneConfigu[ed so as to be located in an*g0 over the drain pipe. The planting locations will [)e supervised by Epsilon and in C0116ultm|inn with your Agent h) unsune they are spaced appropriately and in areas over the newly installed pipe. SEC recommended that tree clearing within the 25-foot No-Disturbance Zone be minimized to the extent practicable and reconnnn8ncled selective limb clearing, I� �� COPY�� -- especially with regard to the ornamental crab apple trees adjacent to the headwall. It is anticipated that the crab apple trees will be maintained and only necessary limb clearing for pipe installation will be performed. Alternative Analysis SEC agrees that the preferred alternative method is likely the best from a long term parking and drainage SOILItiOn in balance with the amount of temporary disturbance proposed in the 25-foot No-Disturbance Zone. SEC recommended that if the new pipe is expected to Substantially increase flow velocities at the outlet, the possibility of installing stone aggregate at the Outlet should be explored. Upon diSCLISSiOnS with project engineers, it is expected that the (low velocities at the outlet will not substantially increase. During the field inspection on Monday, we discussed the possibility of adding stone at the outlet to prevent scouring within the channel. No scouring was observed at the time Of Our inspection and is unlikely in the future, as the channel bottom is comprised of concrete. Addition of the stone over a concrete substrate may only block the flows from the outlet pipes. Erosion Controls SEC recommends that a qualified environmental monitor be responsible for inspecting the condition of the wetland, headwall and existing drainage systems to ensure that all erosion controls are functioning during project build-out. SEC recommends all catch basins affected by the project design be identified and recommends maintenance of erosion controls throughout project build-out. The wetland, headwall and existing drainage system, including catch basins, will be continuously monitored by Epsilon throughout project duration and erosion controls will be monitored and maintained throughout project build-out. General Comments SEC recommended that the Commission formalize an agreement with the property owners to allow maintenance of the meadow areas adjacent to the brook, at least once every three years. Epsilon concurs with SEC's recommendation, If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at (978) 461-6227. EPSII�ON�', SOCIATES, Inc. lie o dra Project Scientist CC: DEP-NERO Michael D. Howard, Manager- Ecological Sciences Mr. Chris Huntress, Huntress Associates, Inc. Mr. Paul Marchionda, P.E., Marchionda and Associates Mr. Patrick Seekamp, Seekamp Environmental, Inc. 1600 Osgood Street, LLC