(2003) THE EPA WTHDRAWS ITS SUPPORT OF SECONDARY MITIGATION FUNDS FOR I-93 WIDENING.

In June, 2003, DOT Commissioner, Carol Murray, Bill Bartlett (Fish and Game) and Michael Nolin (DES) sent a letter to Governor Craig Benson that outlined the state's position on the I-93 widening project. In response to this action, representatives of the environmental groups listed previously wrote to the three individuals and called their letter to Benson, "premature." The environmentalists felt that secondary mitigation and other issues associated with the project had not yet been resolved. They noted that the extensive public commentary on the project had not been taken into consideration. They also took exception to statements that the proposed widening would "improve water quality, air quality and concerns relative to flooding" and mentioned that litigation was a possibility.

Murray, Bartlett and Nolin wrote a response to the letter and stated that their action was only one step in attempting to resolve I-93 widening issues. They noted the availability of the sources used to draw their conclusions about and stated that "hopefully we can move forward in a non-contentious, non-confrontational manner."

Unfortunately, in August, 2003, Robert Varney (EPA) notified the Federal Highway Administration that his office would not veto the I-93 widening plans. Although Varney noted that the EPA would still like to see larger areas of wetland mitigation than in the DOT's draft environmental impact statement, his letter indicated that the EPA will not contest the DOT's limited mitigation plans. This change in outlook meant that land on Hackett Hill, and many other proposed secondary mitigation areas, were no longer under consideration. The scientific studies, testimony of numerous individuals, and organizational efforts of various "secondary towns" appear to have been in vain.

In November, 2003, the Governor's Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation, GACIT, voted approval of all projects on the DOT's 10-year highway plan. There had been considerable uncertainty about how to pay for the I-93 widening - a project that will cost $420 million. To obtain this funding, the committee voted to support the concept of bonding for the project, instead of relying on federal and state gasoline taxes and highway tolls. (The Legislature and Governor Benson must approve both the 10-year plan and the bonding approach.)

As of early January, 2004, the DOT has not released its final environmental impact statement for the I-93 widening project. However Murray noted that the first construction was planned to begin at the end of 2004, with a park and ride facility at Exit 5 in Londonderry, and the next phase of the project would concern bridges in the Salem region. She stated that funding via bonding would allow the widening project to be completed by 2010.

 

HACKETT HILL SUFFERS FROM EPA'S REVERSAL OF POSITION

The effect of the EPA change in position on the two Hackett Hill lots proposed for "secondary mitigation" was not immediately apparent. However it soon became evident that Lot 17, one of the two lots proposed as mitigation areas, would now become developed. The Waterford Development Corporation had previously included this lot in the site plans for its massive residential development but had not begun any actual work in the area. By late winter of 2003-2004, feller-buncher operations and land clearing were well underway on this property.