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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetland Field Report - Miscellaneous - 0 BERRY STREET 11/7/2025 T 777- P 0 R�A71 0 N WETLAND FIELD REPORT PARE JOB NO.: 25185.00 LOCATION: Berry Street North Andover, MA DELINEATION DATE: 11/06/25 WEATHER: 40', Light Rain REPORT DATE: 11/07/2025 PERFORMED BY: Gregory LaCroix, Tyler Correia DISCUSSIONS AND COMMENTS Wetland resource areas in the vicinity of anticipated development in the western portion of Parcel 10 on the North Andover Assessors Map I08.0 (the Property) were defined and delineated in accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR 10.00, referred to as the Regulations), the Town of North Andover Chapter 190 Wetlands Protection Bylaw and its promulgating Regulations (the Bylaw), and the methodology specified in the publications entitled Massachusetts Handbook for Delineation of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (Jackson et. al., 2022) and The Regional Supplement to the Corps o Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: North Central and Northeast Region (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2012 1. Inspection and delineation of wetlands within was completed on November 6, 2025. The Property is developed with a recycling center, athletic fields, and parking areas, while the remainder of the property is forested. The Bay Circle Trail extends throughout the Property in an east-west orientation, creating a connection between Sharpners Pond Road (east of the site) and Harold Parker State Forest. The focus of the delineation was the westernmost portion of the Property, where a gravel parking area surrounded by forest currently exists (the Site). The purpose of the delineation was to establish the limits of wetland resource area boundaries and jurisdictional buffer zones or overlays that may impact future development in this portion of the Property. According to the most recent available MassGIS data, the site no Certified Vernal Pools, Wellhead Protection Areas, Outstanding Resource Water (OWR) or Public Water Supply Watersheds are located within close proximity of the property. Two Potential Vernal Pools (PVPs) are mapped on the property by NHESP (PVPs 16221 and 16222). The property is located within Priority and Estimated Habitat(s) of Rare Species and Wildlife (PH 1999) mapped by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP). A Zone A Surface Water Protection Area extends onto the westernmost portion of the Property, adjacent to the Berry Street and Turnpike Street (Rt. 114) intersection. According to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map for the Town of North Andover (Panel 25009CO239G, effective date July 8, 2025), the property is primarily mapped as Zone X- Area of Minimal Flood Hazard. Therefore, there is no Bordering Land Subject to Flooding located on the site. Pink field flags were placed at appropriate intervals along the wetland/upland border and along the top of bank of an intermittent stream channel. Primary parameters evaluated in wetland delineation included vegetation, indicators of wetland hydrology, and hydric soil indicators. Primary parameters evaluated for in bank delineation included first observable break in slope and high-water marks. Observed wetland hydrologic indicators and soils are described in the following sections and within the attached Bordering Vegetated Wetland Determination Forms. Wetland resource areas within the vicinity of the site include the following: Bank,Land Under Water Bodies and Waterways, and Bordering Vegetated Wetland. 1 of 4 WETLAND FIELD REPORT WETLAND DESCRIPTIONS Perennial Strewn The most recent USGS Topographic Quadrangle for the area shows a stream that serves as a tributary to Streams Pond, located south of Turnpike Road (within Harold Parker State Forest), as perennial and therefore it is classified as a River with an associated 200-foot Riverbank in accordance with the 310 CMR 10.58. The mean annual high water mark of the stream, as delineated by bank, flags S-1 through S-14, is defined in 310 CMR 10.54 as the top of Bank. 310 CMR 10.56 defines land downgradient of the mean annual low water mark as Land Under Waterbodies and Waterways. Although shown on the USGS Topographic Quadrangle as a perennial stream, it appears that the culvert that discharges water to the stream from the B-series BVW is entirely covered on the south side of the roadway and is not functional. As such, the stream is entirely dry through much of the delineated Bank and only appears to hold water farther south and downgradient within the wetland system. It is likely that the perennial designation could be overturned through the process outlined in 310 CMR 10.58(2)(a)l.d. However, if the culvert that feeds the stream is uncovered, it may once again function as a perennial stream. Flag series S-I through S-15 delineates the eastern bank of the stream extending south from the culvert outlet. Flagging ended where the 200-foot Riverfront Area would no longer overlap with the project site. The stream is located within a defined channel with earthen and boulder embankments along either side. As the outlet was buried, the stream was dry with no apparent scour patterns seen within the channel due to the buildup of leaf litter. Bank vegetation includes,but is not limited to,the following: Common Name Scientific Name Indicator Status American Elm Uhnus americans FACW Shagbark Hickory Cara ovata FACU Red Maple Acer rubruin FAC Red Oak Quercus rubra FACU Coastal Sweet Pepperbush Clethra ahiifolia FAC Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea FACW Bordering Vegetated Wetlands Three Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW) as defined in 310 CMR §10.55(2), were identified and delineated in the vicinity of the site. An associated 100-foot Buffer Zone is offset from the BVW boundary. Under the Bylaw, the BVWs receive 25-foot No Disturbance Zone offsets and 50-foot No-Build Zone offsets. Each of the delineated BVWs are described below. Wetland A The A-series wetland is located northeast of the Site and is split in two sections by a walking path. Flag series A-1 to A-10 delineates the wetland to the east of the path and A-100 to A-1 12 delineates the wetland to the west of the path. A PVP is located within the interior of the A-I series section of the BVW and is described below. The BVW exists as a Red Maple swamp within a linear depression that extends east-west 2 of 4 WETLAND FIELD REPORT between two forested slopes and the two portions of the wetland appear to be hydrologically during large rainfall events. The wetland has a seasonally flooded hydrology within the PVP and a saturated hydrology - outside of the PVP. It appears that the wetland has a hydrologic connection through low-lying areas to a larger wetland complex located to the north and is therefore considered bordering. Groundwater inputs are the primary hydrologic source of the wetland, as impervious areas within its watershed and direct vicinity are extremely limited. Soils within and around the BVW are extremely bouldery and therefore analysis of hydric soil conditions was restricted. Wetland vegetation observed within the A and A-100 series BVWs included, but is not limited to,the following: Common Name Scientific Name Indicator Status Red Maple Acer ruby um FAC Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica FACW Shagbark Hickory Catya ovata FACU Common Winterberry Ilex verticillata FACW Silky Dogwood Cornus ammonium FACW Glossy False Buckthorn Fran ula ahms FAC Sedges Carex s . Assume FACW or wetter Royal Fern Osrnunda re ahis OBL Evergreen Wood Fern Dr o teris internredia FAC Wetland B Flag series B-I to B-7 defines the southeastern limits of a BVW that exists across Berry Street from the Site, in the northwest quadrant of intersection. The BVW receives flows from the northwest and is intended to discharge to a culvert located immediately west of wetland flag B-7. However, the culvert inlet is elevated, requiring ponding prior to discharge. In addition, the culvert outlet was not observed and the perennial stream, delineated by S-series flagging, no longer appears to receive flows. The BVW is sparsely vegetated in its interior which appears to be a result of frequent flooding and long periods of standing water, which is also evidenced by water staining. As a result, the wetland has seasonally flooded hydrology. A PVP was not delineated within the interior of the wetland as the wetland discharges to a stream and portions of wetland appear to be flooded year round, therefore potentially support a fish population. The flagged wetland edge follows the toe of a forested side slope and ends along the Turnpike Street roadway embankment. Wetland vegetation includes,but is not limited to,the following: Common Name Scientific Name Indicator Status Red Maple Acer-rubr•um FAC Red Oak Quercus rubra FACU Shagbark Hickory Car a ovata FACU Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica FACW Slippery Elm Ulmus rubra FAC Hi hbush Blueberry Vaccinium cor inbosum FACW Silky Dogwood Cornus amonrum FACW Sweet Pepperbush Clethra alni olia FAC Common Winterberry Ilex verticillata FACW American Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens FACU 3 of 4 WETLAND FIELD REPORT Wetland C Flag series C-1 through C-6 defines a BVW located in the southwest quadrant of the intersection, within Harold Parker State Forest. This wetland system borders on the S-series stream, however only the closest portion of the BVW to the site was delineated to establish the extents of offsets. The flagged wetland edge follows a man-made drainageway northeast of a natural wetland area towards the intersection. Upgradient limits of ditch are not included in flagged BVW as they do not support hydrophytic vegetation, hydrologic indicators, or hydric soils. The BVW is seasonally flooded in its interior with saturated conditions along its outer edges. The wetland exists as a Red Maple swamp with buttressing and water stained leaves. Wetland vegetation includes,but is not limited to,the following: Common Name Scientific Name Indicator Status Red Maple Acer rubr um FAC Red Oak Quercus rubra FACU Shagbark Hickory Car ya ovata FACU White Pine Pinus strobes FACU Coastal Sweet Pepperbush Clethra ahai olia FAC Common Winterberry Ilex verticillata FACW Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnarnomea FACW Royal Fern Osmunda re alis OBL Sedges Carex s . OBL Potential Vernal Pool The mean annual high water mark of a potential vernal pool located within the A-series wetland has been delineated by PVP-1 through PVP-10 series wetland flags. The PVP should be considered a "Ephemeral Pool" under the Bylaw, therefore receiving "Ephemeral Pool Habitat" which includes land that is located within 100-feet of the PVP and is located within the BVW. At the site, the Ephemeral Pool Habitat includes the remainder of the A-1 series BVW, outside of the PVP. According to section 2.4 of the Bylaw, the No- Disturbance Zone associated with Ephemeral Pool Habitat is extended to 50-feet and the No-Build Zone is extended to 75-feet. The delineated PVP includes the interior, depressed portion of the BVW. This area has extremely sparse vegetation and water staining throughout as a result of the extended periods of inundation. This area was not holding water on the day of the delineation due to the time of year, therefore no evidence of vernal pool species was observed. Springtime investigations into the presence of vernal pool species would be necessary to determine whether or not this area would qualify as a Certified Vernal Pool. The PVP was by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program on Mass Mapper. GDL/TJC Y:\JOBS\25 Johs\25185.00 North Andover-Fire Station-MA\REPORTS\Wetlands\Delineation\Report\North Andover Fire Station Wetland Field Report.doc 4 of 4 National Flood Hazard Layer FIRMetteFEMA Legend SEE M REFOR`FOR DETAULD LE€END AND AMEX MAP FOR FIRM PANT LAYOUT Without Bass mood Elevation(BFE) Zc-4 11.Act SPECIAL FLOODWith BFE cT Hl Gpth Z,—.,Ar,Ar a VZAR HAZARD AREAS Regulatory Floodway a � z 0.2%Annual Chance Fly Hazard.Area of 1%annual chance flood with avorage depth less than one foot or with drafrragt areas of less than one square mid z:« �° 41 Future Conditions 1%Annual _Z. Risk due LO Chance Flood Hazard'�� .� Area witty Reduced Flood OTHER AREAS OF Levee_See Notes, 3 3� i FLOOD HAZARD .. " Area with Flood Fhsk due to Le—*e7b-Di No SCREEN Area of Minirnat Flood Hazard - Effecve LOir]€Fs c OTHER AREAS Area of Uodctc rmined Flood Hazard � GENERAL Channel.Culvert-or Storm Sewer STRUCTURES r I r Il r i Levee,Alike,or Floadw211 � x Cross Sections with 1,%Annual Chance Water Surface Elevation oil fs" Coastal Transact B asf Flood Elevation Line fBFEs, ` v i Limit of Study Jurisdiction Boundary Coastal Transeet Baseline e OTHER Profile Baseline E FATURES fiydrogra hfc Feature Digital Data Available N' Mira DigitalData Avaltabl�e MAP PANELS tlnrrtapped d 1' The pin displayed on the map is an approximate ' po€r t selected by the user and does not rcpmsc an authoritative property location. This map complies with FEhMA's standards for the use of - digital flood maps if it is not void as desentled below- The basemap shown compites wrth FEMA's pasernap accuracy standards The flood hazard information is derived directly from the authoritative NFHL web services provided by FEMA.This map was exported on 2025_, FM and does not rcficct charm or amendments subsequent to this date and time.The NFHL and effective information may change or dome superseded by new data overtime. This map image is void if the one or more of the following map clements An not appear:basernap Imagery,flood zone.labels, legend.scale liar,map creation date,community identifiers. Feed '1° °�1,42°vr"3 r� RRM panet number,and FIRM effective date.Atap images for 1:6,000 unmapped and unmedcrnized areas cannot be used for 0 250 500 1.000 1.500 2,000 regulatory purposes.