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LEC has been retained by residential/commercial developers as well as engineering firms to obtain necessary permits associated with development. Permit applications often require detailed site evaluations and analyses for proposed projects in order to demonstrate regulatory compliance and obtain the necessary permits. We provide the required environmental services, experience, and expertise to obtain environmental permits associated with development activity.
A Notice of Intent (NOI) Application is the primary permitting instrument for projects subject to the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and its Regulations, as well as local Wetlands Bylaws and Ordinances. LEC often prepares NOI Applications for proposed development, leading the project team through project design and Site Plan preparation, and representing the Applicant through the entire permitting process. When projects involve direct wetland impacts, LEC works with the project team to evaluate feasible alternatives, wildlife habitat evaluations, and wetland replication–all services that LEC provides.
It is often valuable to legally establish the extent of wetland jurisdiction under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (and Bylaws or Ordinances) on a property before proceeding with project design. This is typically accomplished through the Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD) process. Following a Site Inspection and Wetland Delineation, LEC represents Applicants through the ANRAD process, obtaining for the Applicant an Order of Resource Area Delineation, which confirms the wetland boundaries for 3 years.
For any proposed project or work activity located within a Priority Habitat of Rare Species designated by NHESP, MESA Project Review is required. NHESP will review a project to determine whether a "take" occurs under MESA. Projects or activities resulting in rare species habitat modification, degradation, or destruction may result in the disruption of nesting, breeding, feeding or migratory activity, thus likely constituting a "take." While proposed projects may result in a "take" of a rare species, an Applicant must demonstrate compliance with MESA in order for NHESP to issue a Conservation and Management Permit. LEC has navigated many projects through the NHESP review process to obtain such Permits.
Based on the size and scope of a project, the extent of environmental impacts, and required state agency permitting, projects may be required to undergo the MEPA review process and prepare environmental impact reports. This process originally was intended to provide project proponents the opportunity to gain input from regulators and interested parties early in the design process; however, over time it has developed into a much more detailed and often times lengthy process. The timing of the MEPA review process varies from project to project depending on the required permits and project goals. LEC provides assistance to our clients through the MEPA process, often working with a team of consultants and engineers to address review comments and ultimately achieve a favorable MEPA Certificate.
The Clean Water Act requires permitting with the ACOE for projects that exceed certain thresholds for work within Waters of the United States, including wetlands and land under water. This process often involves work that also requires a permit under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. This permitting typically requires evaluation of alternatives, wetland functional assessments, and wetland replication–all services that LEC provides noted under other service descriptions. Depending on the extent and complexity of the project, LEC often schedules permitting strategy meetings with our clients and/or pre-application meetings with regulators to achieve regulatory compliance early in the design phase and expedite the permitting process.
Water Quality Certification is administered by the DEP under the Clean Water Act. Often times, permitting under Sections 401 and 404 are required, and DEP and ACOE regulators coordinate their review of 401 and 404 Permit Applications. LEC typically files these permits simultaneously–working with both agencies to expedite the permit review process, and prevent duplication of effort. This permitting typically requires evaluation of alternatives, wetland functional assessments, and wetland replication–all services that LEC provides noted under other service descriptions.
Under the Public Waterfront Act, there is state regulation of activities proposed in tidelands. There are seven basic categories of activity that require authorizations, including both new and existing unauthorized activities, and there are five types of authorizations. While the statute and the regulations are designed to ensure that activities are "water-dependent", there are "nonwater-dependent" project proposals that must demonstrate that they serve a "proper public purpose". LEC is very familiar with these and other requirements, as well as the ten or more licensing/permit procedures that are involved.
Under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act, the MCZM program looks to established environmental review thresholds to gauge when projects significantly impact the Coastal Zone and cooperates with federal regulatory agencies to develop general permits for projects of minimal impact. Typically, only those projects requiring an Individual Permit from the ACOE must submit a letter to CZM stating how the project meets one or more of the 19 program plan policies. These policies address eight issues: water quality; habitat; protected areas; coastal hazards; port and harbor infrastructure; public access; energy; and ocean resources.
Compliance with Environmental Permits during construction is an important consideration for maintaining tight construction schedules and meeting sensitive deadlines. These permits are typically detailed and lengthy, often requiring erosion control monitoring and supervision when work occurs within or nearby a wetland. LEC is experienced in monitoring erosion controls, solving erosion/sedimentation problems, and supervising work within wetlands to ensuring that Environmental Permits are implemented correctly.
In addition to representing development and community interests, LEC also provides peer review services on behalf of City or Town agencies including Conservation Commissions. A thorough peer review is often valuable for complex or controversial projects, or if a particular City or Town lacks the staff or resources to offer a thorough review of permit applications. This review is conducted within the guidelines, laws, and regulations that govern agency review. LEC maintains established relationships with several Massachusetts Cities and Towns and seeks to expand this service throughout the State.
100 Grove Street, Suite 302
Worcester, MA 01605
508-753-3077
centrallec@lecenvironmental.com
Take Exit 65B to Route 290 West toward Worcester. Take Exit 21. At light, turn right onto Lincoln Street/MA-70 and then immediately slight right to Salisbury Street. Take second right (at the traffic light) onto Grove Street. Follow Grove Street through one traffic light. LEC is located half a block from the traffic light on the right.
Take Exit 94 to Route 146 North toward Worcester. Take Exit 21 towards Route 290 East. Take Exit 21. At light, turn left onto Belmont Street/Route 9 West. At third traffic light, turn right onto Grove Street. Follow Grove Street through two traffic lights. LEC is located half a block from the traffic light on the right.
Take Exit 90 (old exit 10) to Route 290 East toward Worcester. Take Exit 21. At light, turn left onto Belmont Street/Route 9 West. At third traffic light, turn right onto Grove Street. Follow Grove Street through two traffic lights. LEC is located half a block from the traffic light on the right.
Merge onto Route 290 West toward Worcester. Take Exit 21. At light, turn right onto Lincoln Street/MA-70 and then immediately slight right to Salisbury Street. Take second right (at the traffic light) onto Grove Street. Follow Grove Street through one traffic light. LEC is located half a block from the traffic light on the right.
380 Lowell Street, Suite 101
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-2500
northlec@lecenvironmental.com
Take the exit for Route 95 South/128 North (Waltham, Gloucester). Follow the ramp for 95 South, Waltham. Now traveling on 95 South (128 South), take Main Street Exit 59, towards Wakefield/Lynnfield Center. At the end of the ramp turn left toward Wakefield/Vernon Street. Proceed on Vernon Street for 0.8 miles. Turn left into the parking lot immediately before the signaled intersection of Vernon and Lowell Streets. LEC is located in the first entrance of the condominium office building in Suite 101 on the first floor.
Take Main Street Exit 59, towards Wakefield/Lynnfield Center. At the end of the ramp turn left toward Wakefield/Vernon Street. Proceed on Vernon Street for 0.8 miles. Turn left into the parking lot immediately before the signaled intersection of Vernon and Lowell Streets. LEC is located in the first entrance of the condominium office building in Suite 101 on the first floor.
12 Resnik Road
Suite 1
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 746-9491
southlec@lecenvironmental.com
Take Exit 16 (Route 44 West). Follow for approximately 1 mile. Take exit toward Route 80 (Cherry Street/North Plymouth). Turn slight right onto Commerce Way. Turn left onto McAuliffe Way. McAuliffe Way becomes Resnik Road. Travel approximately a half mile. 12 Resnik Road is on the right. LEC is located in the first suite.
680 Warren Avenue
Suite 3
East Providence, RI 02914
401-685-3109
Take the exit for I-195 East in RI (Exit 20 southbound, Exit 19 northbound). Continue east across the Providence and Seekonk Rivers and take Exit 2C in RI, towards US-6/US-1A. At the traffic light at the end of the ramp, take a right onto Warren Avenue (westbound). Proceed on Warren Avenue for 0.3 miles. Turn right into the parking lot immediately after the Walk-In Medical Center. LEC is located down the hall to the right.
Take Exit 1 in MA for MA-114A and take a right onto Fall River Avenue (114A) at the end of the ramp. Take a left onto County Street and continue underneath the I-195 bypass. At the traffic light, take a right onto Warren Avenue and proceed on Warren Avenue for 0.7 miles. Turn right into the parking lot immediately after the Walk-In Medical Center. LEC is located down the hall to the right.