Epsilon prepared the ENF, Draft EIR and Final EIR for this first of its kind regional drinking water project.  Bluestone proposed a 5 MGD reverse-osmosis (RO) based desalinization plant on the lower Taunton River with a 15 mile supply line running north along a rail ROW to Brockton.  The project entailed withdrawal of brackish water from the lower Taunton estuary at times of low salinity, and discharge of RO waters during periods of higher salinity in the receiving waters.  The proposed pipeline ran along rail right-of-way, through sensitive wetlands and an ACEC.  The project involved salinity modeling, fisheries and impingement studies, wetland delineation, interbasin transfer issues, and a variety of process issues.  The Final EIR was completed in 1997.

Epsilon prepared the ENF, Draft EIR and Final EIR for the closure, transfer and redevelopment of the U.S. Army Materials Technology Laboratories in Watertown, MA. Primary issues were historic impacts, reuse feasibility, traffic impacts, and adequacy of infrastructure.

Epsilon prepared the EIR for the redevelopment of the former Northampton State Hospital, a facility listed on the National Register. The Master Plan for the site contemplates the build-out of 476,000 s.f. of mixed-use commercial space, comprising a mix of retail, office, light industrial, and research & development/multi-media space, as well as space for live-work studios, community amenities and housing (fifty percent affordable).

Epsilon prepared and filed an ENF, Draft EIR, and Final EIR for a 1.6 million square foot distribution center for Target Corporation. The project’s key environmental issues were traffic management, aquifer protection, stormwater infiltration, and rare species conservation. The Federal Aviation Administration reviewed the project’s Environmental Assessment for the acquisition of fifteen acres of surplus land at the neighboring Barnes-Westfield Airport.

Epsilon is providing permitting services for a large-scale (2.7 million cubic yard) beach and dune nourishment project designed to protect up to four miles of eroding coastline along the eastern shore of Nantucket Island.  This project will protect and preserve Sconset Beach, the historic Sankaty Head Lighthouse, a bluff walk, historic homes, and public infrastructure.  Epsilon submitted an ENF to MEPA, an extensive Alternative Analysis to the USACE, and is preparing an Environmental Impact Report to provide detailed information regarding project design and environmental impacts.  The $15 million privately-funded project will be one of the largest beach nourishment projects ever undertaken in New England.   The Proponent intends to acquire beach-compatible nourishment material from an offshore borrow site in Massachusetts’ state waters.  Based on consultations with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the National Marine Fisheries Service, Epsilon formulated and performed oversight for a comprehensive Fisheries Sampling Plan intended to accurately characterize marine biological resources and associated habitats in the project area.  Epsilon has also provided permitting services for a number of additional shore protection measures along this retreating shoreline; these additional measures have included coastal bank terraces, wells to drain a perched aquifer that was contributing to slumping along the eroding bank face, and experimental beach dewatering systems.

Epsilon prepared the Draft EIR, Notices of Project Change, and the Final EIR for withdrawal and desalination by the Swansea Water District of 2.0 million gallons a day (mgd) of brackish water from the Palmer River to generate 1.3 mgd of potable drinking water.  Epsilon also directed the work of subconsultants to collect data on river and tidal hydrography and living marine resources.

Epsilon prepared Draft and Final EIRs for the Bay Club at Mattapoisett, a golf community sited on approximately 800 acres, involving construction of 189 residential units, including both clustered homes and estate lots interspersed around a championship 18-hole golf course.  Epsilon was responsible for developing MEPA documentation, investigating ground water supply for irrigation demand, wetlands delineation and filings, and coordinating rare species inventory efforts.  The Bay Club commenced construction in the fall of 2002, less than one year after beginning the MEPA process, and opened for play in summer 2004.

Epsilon prepared Draft and Final EIRs to KeySpan for the construction of approximately 13.1 miles of new high-pressure, distribution pipeline on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  Epsilon also prepared the EFSB Petition, and a DRI Application to the Cape Cod Commission.

Epsilon prepared the MEPA and Article 80 submittals for the South Station Air Rights project in Boston’s Downtown.  The project involves the development of approximately 1.8 million square feet.  The mixed-use development program includes three buildings, including a 920,000 square-foot office or office and residential tower, a hotel/residential building with a 200-room hotel and a 170,000 square-foot residential component, and a mid-rise office building of approximately 445,000 square feet, as well as associated parking for up to 755 cars.  The project will complete the intermodal transportation center, connect the train and bus terminals and weave the transportation functions into the existing Financial and Leather Districts.  For MEPA, the project involved a DEIR, a NPC terminating major and complicated project status, and a Final EIR.

Epsilon analyzed terminal expansion alternatives, runway safety area enhancements, construction of new taxiways, and other proposed airside and landside improvements to the Nantucket Memorial Airport, one of the busiest airports in Massachusetts.  Key environmental challenges included protecting a number of rare species, including plants, moths, and birds, and maintaining groundwater quality to safeguard the island's drinking water supply.  Epsilon prepared the Draft and Final EIR for the project.  The Final EIR was issued an Environmental Assessment under NEPA by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Epsilon prepared the BRA and MEPA submittals for the Lovejoy Wharf project, including a combined Environmental Project Notification Form (ENF)/Project Notification Form (PNF), and a combined Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)/Final Project Impact Report (FPIR) for the Lovejoy Wharf project.  Lovejoy Wharf is a mixed-use redevelopment that includes approximately 250 residential units, 45,000 square feet of ground floor commercial /retail uses, 315 parking spaces, and the construction of the Harborwalk across the site.  The project proposes the adaptive re-use of the existing nine-story building at 160 North Washington Street, and the removal and replacement of the building at 131 Beverly Street with an up to 14-story structure.

Epsilon prepared the DEIR and FEIR for Sithe Energies’ 750 MW Fore River project. The air-cooled project is located at the former Boston Edison Edgar Station site in Weymouth, MA. Complex analyses of air quality, noise, and visual issues together with an assessment of the proposed demolition of historic structures were included in the state MEPA and EFSB permitting processes. Epsilon engineers and scientists provided expert testimony before the EFSB and worked closely with Sithe Energies in securing the necessary Town of Weymouth approvals. The facility is in operation. 

Epsilon provided MEPA consulting services as well as a Chapter 91 jurisdictional analysis of the 10 acres, underutilized “brownfields” site.  Located in East Cambridge, the Cambridge Research Park/Kendall Square project is a mixed-use urban development comprising approximately 726,000 square feet of life sciences research and office space in four buildings, a 400-room hotel approximately 150,000 square feet of residential space, approximately 125,000 square feet of retail space, and underground parking spaces.

Epsilon analyzed potential sites for a new terminal, with associated parking and traffic access, at the Barnstable Municipal Airport.  Important environmental and infrastructure constraints included water supply issues, sensitive nearby wetlands and rare species habitat, and extreme traffic congestion on surrounding highways during the peak tourist months.  The Draft EIR compared four alternative sites.  The Final EIR focused on the existing location alternative.  The Final EIR was issued as an Environmental Assessment under NEPA by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Epsilon was engaged to prepare a Supplemental Draft EIR, and then a Final EIR, for the construction by the City of Everett of a new high school.  The project involved conversion of parkland, provision of replacement parkland, weighting and ranking of alternative sites, and traffic and noise studies.  Subsequently, Epsilon prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act in consultation with the National Park Service for the conversion of a city park that had been redeveloped with Land and Water Conservation Act funds in the 1970s to allow construction new City of Everett high school on the park site.  Epsilon provided the EA’s analysis of environmental impacts associated with the parkland conversion, development of the high school, and provision of three replacement parks totaling 8.9 acres.

Epsilon has been engaged by Braintree Electric Light Department to prepare MEPA filings (Draft and Final EIR), the EFSB Petition, and permit applications for construction of a nominal 105 megawatt (MW), quick start, dual-fuel fired simple cycle unit. The Project will be constructed on BELD’s property on the Weymouth Fore River, adjacent to BELD’s existing Potter Station Unit II.  An ENF was filed June, 2006.

Hebrew Senior Life and the Rashi School proposed an intergenerational campus on a 162-acre site abutting the Charles River.  The projects consists of both elder-care facilities -- 280 long-term care beds and 336 assisted living and senior supportive residences -- and an early childhood-through-eighth-grade school.  Epsilon prepared the project's Draft and Final Environmental Impact Reports.  We also provided a Drought Management Plan governing use of the project's irrigation system to avoid impacts to the Charles River.

Epsilon prepared an Environmental Notification Form as well as Draft and Final Environmental Impact Reports for a 230,000 square foot distribution center for Lowe's Home Centers, Inc.   The project is sited to take advantage of its proximity to the Massachusetts Turnpike and the Pioneer Valley Railroad, from which two spurs were constructed.  A state-protected species was found on the site; in consultation with the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, a conservation plan was developed so that the project could be permitted under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act.  The project is under construction.