'Tlie Commonwea[tli of9v1assacliusetts

Transcription

1 Deval L. Patrick GOVERNOR Timothy P. Murray LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Richard K. Sullivan Ir. SECRETARY 'Tlie Commonwea[tli of9v1assacliusetts ~cutive Office ofcenergy andcenvironmenta{jiffairs 100 cam6ritfge Street, Suite 900 CBoston, 5WjI Tel: (617) Fax: (617) April 8, 2011 CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL NOTIFICATION FORM PROJECT NAME : Commonwealth Honors College PROJECT MUNICIPALITY : Amherst PROJECT WATERSHED : Connecticut River EEANUMBER : PROJECT PROPONENT : University ofmassachusetts Building Authority DATE NOTICED IN MONITOR : March 9, 2011 Pursuant to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (M.G. L. c. 30, ss ) and Section ofthe MEPA regulations (301 CMR 11.00), I hereby determine that this project does not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). As described in the Environmental Notification Form (ENF), the project consists ofthe construction ofa 1,530-bed residential honors college complex (Commonwealth Honors College), located in six buildings and approximately 500,000 square feet (sf) in area. The project includes a mix of single- and double-occupancy rooms, suites and apartments, residential common areas, nine classrooms, student support space, and a large multi-purpose room. The complex will be located in the central portion of the campus on the site ofthe existing Boyden tennis courts (Boyden Site) and an adjacent 295-space parking lot. Portions ofthe existing parking on-site will be replaced by upgrading and expanding capacity in other campus surface lots (Lots 64,33, 12, and 42). Overall campus parking will be reduced by 115 spaces. The project will also include improvements to the existing adjacent animal care facility to improve its acoustic isolation.

2 The ENF discussed the site selection process for the location of the Commonwealth Honors College within the greater UMass Amherst campus. Four sites other than the Boyden Site were explored including: Orchard Hill Site, Totman Site, Southwest Site, and University Apartments Site. Final selection of the Boyden Site was chosen after preliminary designs were prepared for both the Orchard Hill Site and the Boyden Site. According to the ENF, the Boyden Site was chosen due to its proximity to the campus core, its relationship to dining facilities in the Southwest Residential Area and other student facilities, its adjacency to existing utilities, and its limited potential environmental impact. The project is estimated to generate approximately 103,500 gallons per day (gpd) of new wastewater flows and will increase water demand by 103,500 gpd. The project will create an additional 1.23 acres of impervious area on-site and is estimated to generate an additional 502 vehicle trips per day. The architectural program anticipates an arrangement of six, four to sixstory buildings that step down the hillside and create a series of outdoor courtyards and integrate into the existing campus pedestrian network. The project will be held to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver or better standard and certification is anticipated. Jurisdiction The project is undergoing review pursuant to Section 11.03(5)(b)(4)(a) ofthe MEPA regulations because it is being undertaken by an Agency of the Commonwealth and requires a State Agency Action and will result in a new discharge to a sewer system 100,000 or more gpd of sewage. The project will require a Sewer ConnectionlExtension Pennit from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and will require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Construction General Pennit (NPDES CGP) from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). Because the project will be funded through bonds issued by the University of Massachusetts Building Authority (UMBA), MEPAjurisdiction for this project is broad and extends to all aspects ofthe project that are likely, directly or indirectly, to cause Damage to the Environment as defined in the MEP A regulations. According to the ENF, the project will create an additional 1.23 acres of impervious area within the cumulative project area. This increase includes the modification and expansion of campus parking lots to accommodate the relocated parking spaces. Impervious areas in the immediate vicinity of the building complex will be reduced in comparison to existing conditions. Potential further increases in impervious areas have been reduced through the selection of a redevelopment site that is presently occupied by impervious surfaces, through the introduction of pervious open spaces within courtyard areas, and the use of porous pavement within select areas ofthe project site. The project includes the incorporation ofthe proposed buildings' architecture into the existing hillside, thereby limiting cut and fill on the property. 2

3 The project will result in the overall elimination of 115 parking spaces on the UMass campus. At the conclusion of construction, 13 spaces will be provided at the new Commonwealth Honors College for service and administrative personne1. Another 167 spaces will be relocated by expanding existing campus parking lots: 15 spaces will be added to Parking Lot 64,88 spaces will be added to Parking Lot 42, and 64 spaces will be added to Parking Lot 33. Additionally, some existing parking spaces (55 existing spaces in Lot 64 and 75 spaces in Lot 12) will be refurbished andlor reconfigured. I encourage the UMBA to continue to explore ways to reduce the potential impact ofimpervious areas, either through expansion ofthe use of porous surfaces, or through further reduction in building footprints or parking to the extent feasible. Storm water The ENF indicated that the project will mitigate stormwater runoff through an increase in pervious cover within the proposed building complex, and the use of underground storage and infiltration basins. The incorporation of subsurface storage will achieve a 25 percent reduction in stormwater rates. New stormwater management facilities will be constructed in the replacement parking areas to mitigate rates of stormwater runoff and to improve overall water quality as compared to existing conditions. At the main building complex site and at the expanded parking areas, groundwater recharge will be provided to the extent practicable given existing soil and groundwater conditions. The project will meet or exceed the standards found in the MassDEP Stormwater Management Regulations and Policy. While pervious pavement is proposed in certain areas, green roofs continue to be explored as they may not be feasible given a potential conflict in accessibility to rooftop areas between maintenance requirements and dormitory safety. As noted by MassDEP, the UMBA should be aware that all stormwater control structures that are underground are subject to the jurisdiction of the MassDEP Underground Injection Control (UIC) program. If necessary, these structures should be appropriately registered with MassDEP. Traffic The ENF estimated that the project will generate an additional 502 average vehicle trips per day based upon existing characteristics from a survey ofresidential sites at the UMass Amherst campus. No specific roadway infrastructure improvements are necessary to accommodate the potential additional vehicle trips. The facilities are located centrally on campus and can be well accessed via walking and bicycling facilities. Accommodations will be provided for covered and uncovered bicycle storage. Overall campus parking will be reduced by 115 parking spaces. As recommended by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), the project should be closely coordinated with both the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) and UMass Transit Services provided along Commonwealth Avenue. Furthermore, I encourage UMass to review how existing campus shuttle routes will continue to service the more remote parking areas that will be expanded as part of the project to ensure that increased transit demand can be accommodated. 3

4 Wastewater The project is projected to generate approximately 103,500 gpd of new wastewater flows based upon MassDEP Title V estimates. A new sewer main, approximately 0.3 miles in length, is proposed to connect to existing campus infrastructure and will require a new sewer connection to the Amherst town sewer system. As indicated in the MassDEP comment letter, because the new 24-inch diameter sewer main will remain under the ownership and maintenance ofumass Amherst, only a Sewer Connection Permit will be required from MassDEP. The UMBA expects that actual wastewater flows will be considerably less than those estimated given proposed water conservation techniques including the use of low-flow fixtures. I strongly encourage the UMBA to continue to explore additional water/wastewater reduction measures in the final design process to further limit impacts. The ENF noted that the Town Engineer was consulted and confirmed that the existing wastewater treatment facility capacity is 5.0 million gallons per day (mgd). Typical flows to the treatment plant when school is in session are approximately 1.2 mgd, and after major rain events, peak rates can be up to 3.9 mgd. The UMBA should work with MassDEP and the Town of Amherst to obtain the appropriate approvals pertaining to wastewater treatment. Water Estimated water use is projected to be 103,500 gpd. The MassDEP comment letter has indicates that the Amherst Water Department has adequate capacity to provide potable water for the project. The Town of Amherst has a combined registered and permitted water withdrawal volume of4.55 mgd under the Water Management Act with an average daily use of approximately 3.20 mgd. While MassDEP has noted that no state permits are required to provide water service to the Commonwealth Honors College, the UMBA should confirm in writing with the Amherst Water Department that the infrastructure has the capacity to serve the project and that Amherst Water Department connection requirements can be met. I expect that, consistent with ongoing initiatives on campus, water conservation measures will be implemented in association with the project through the use of water conserving fixtures, education, etc., to minimize water consumption by the Commonwealth Honors College. The ENF indicated that the landscape will be designed with drought tolerant plantings that will require no permanent irrigation. Historic Resources The UMBA has submitted a Project Notification Form (PNF) to the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC), which issued a letter dated March 9,2011 indicating that the PNF was incomplete and requested additional information in the form of elevation drawings and/or schematic design renderings of the exterior ofthe proposed new construction. The MHC also requested that information be forwarded to the Amherst Historical Commission and Preserve UMass. I encourage the Proponent to continue to work with MHC to ensure compliance with M.G.L. c.9, Section 26-27C (950 CMR 71.00). 4

5 Greenhouse Gas Emissions The University of Massachusetts has already made strides to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) throughout the campus as a whole with the creation ofcampus-wide Green Building Guidelines, through infrastructure upgrades to utilities, and outreach to students, faculty and staff. As noted previously, the project will be designed to maximize energy efficiency and reduce overall GHG emissions. The UMBA is aiming for a minimum goal ofa LEED Silver rating and anticipates obtaining certification. The project will utilize a combination ofenergy efficient mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building envelope systems and components to reduce the project's overall carbon footprint. The building envelope will be designed to exceed the Massachusetts State Building Code minimums for exterior wall and roof assemblies and the window systems will minimize solar heat gain while providing daylighting. Natural ventilation will be used in conjunction with mechanical systems with operable windows in most spaces and the use ofan energy recovery unit and fresh air exhaust system through the corridors and restrooms. The project will include the installation ofa new energy efficient central chiller plant to serve the new building. Interior lighting should be optimized through location and fixture selection to reduce lighting power loads to the extent feasible. Exterior lighting power densities should be reduced to the extent possible given campus safety requirements. While the current project design does not include the installation ofphotovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal arrays at this time, the UMBA has committed to design the buildings to be solar ready for potential future installations. A Commissioning Agent will be engaged during the design development phase ofthe project to provide both fundamental and enhanced commissioning services throughout the course ofthe project. The UMBA also intends to incorporate extensive metering into the project to track and review energy usage and water consumption. These data will be made available for analysis as part of the existing University Buildings Automation System. I commend the UMBA for committing to a wide array of sustainable, energy reduction measures to limit the amount of GHG emissions contributable to the new construction. I strongly encourage the UMBA to continue to explore options to reduce energy use and water consumption throughout the advancement of the final project design. The UMBA may wish to consider using the buildings as an opportunity to educate students, faculty and staff about sustainability and green design measures through programs, signage, etc. Finally, I encourage the UMBA to consider implementing certain technologies on-site as a pilot project to determine feasibility for other applications on campus, either through building renovation and retrofit initiatives, or future construction efforts. Construction Period Construction activity must comply with both MassDEP's Solid Waste and Air Quality Control regulations. Construction and demolition activity must conform to current MassDEP Air Pollution Control Regulations (310 CMR and 7.1 0) and the UMBA should implement measures to alleviate dust, noise, and odor nuisance conditions that may occur during construction and demolition activities. The demolition ofthe existing tennis courts and parking area will result in the generation ofasphalt, brick and concrete (ABC). MassDEP has noted that

6 EEA# ENF Certificate April 8,2011 ABC crushed and reused on-site must be handled in accordance with MassDEP regulations and policy. Otherwise, the UMBA must obtain a site assignment and facility permit for the crushing activity and a Beneficial Use Determination (BUD) for the reuse ofthe crushed material. The UMBA will be required to prepare a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan in conformance with the NPDES CGP which will identify erosion and sedimentation control measures to be implemented during the construction and demolition period. I encourage the UMBA to mitigate the construction period impacts ofdiesel emissions to the maximum extent feasible. This mitigation may be achieved through the installation of afterengine emission controls such as diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) or diesel particulate filters (DPFs) consistent with the MassDEP Diesel Retrofit Program. Contractors should use ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel in off-road engines. Conclusion Based on the information in the ENF and after consultation with relevant public agencies, I find that no further MEP A review is required at this time. The project may proceed to permitting. However, the UMass Amherst campus continues to undertake projects to renovate existing space, expand and construct new buildings, and update site infrastructure, all in response to meeting the needs of an expanding enrollment and upgrading facilities to meet the overall goals ofthe University's mission. In order to ensure that these myriad future projects meet the requirements ofmep A review, I am requiring the UMBA to work with the MEP A office to prepare a Special Review Procedure (SRP) in accordance with 301 CMR to set up a framework to review future projects on the UMass Amherst campus in light ofpotential MEP A compliance obligations and the anti-segme~~o A Regulations. April 8, Date Comments received: ( t(;'~~-;;t;~~~~~=-_ 03/09/2011 Massachusetts Historical Commission 03/22/2011 Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection - WERO RKSIHSJlhsj 6