Contents
1) Update on Green Line “Consultation Session”
A) NOTE: TIME CHANGE! In official notice: Monday, October 16, 6pm
NOTICE OF MEPA CONSULTATION SESSION
EOEA No. 13886 Green Line Extension
Cambridge, Somerville and Medford, MA
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project consists of the extension of the Massachusetts Bay
Transportation Authority's (MBTA) Green Line from its current terminus at Lechmere Station
in Cambridge to the Medford Hillside section of Medford and to Union Square in Somerville.
The purpose of the project is to improve mobility, boost transit ridership, improve regional air
quality, ensure equitable distribution of transit services and support opportunities for smart
growth and sustainable development. The Medford Hillside alignment will be located within the
existing right-of-way (ROW) of the Lowell commuter rail line. The Union Square alignment will
be located within the ROW of the Fitchburg commuter rail line. The project will include
construction of approximately 6 new transit stations.
The project is undergoing MEPA review and subject to preparation of a mandatory EIR pursuant
to Section 11.03 (1)(a)(1) and (6)(a)(5) because it requires a state permit and consists of direct
alteration of 50 or more acres of land and construction of a new rail or rapid transit line along
a new, unused or abandoned right-of-way for transportation of passengers or freight. The project
will require Access Permits from the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) and the
Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) for work affecting state-owned roadways and
bridges. Also, it will require review by the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC).
An Expanded Environmental Notification Form (ENF) with a request to file a Single
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been submitted to MEPA for this project. Because this
project exceeds the thresholds for filing a mandatory EIR, the Secretary's Certificate on the
Environmental Notification Form (ENF) will include a scope for the EIR. At the scoping
session, agencies, officials and citizens are encouraged to participate and provide input on the
scope including which environmental issues are significant and the extent of their significance.
They may also provide input on whether the proponent should be allowed to file a Single EIR.
THE MEPA CONSULTATION SESSION IS SCHEDULED FOR: Monday, October 16 @
6:00 pm
SCOPING SESSION LOCATION: Somerville High School Auditorium (31 Highland Avenue,
Somerville)
CONTACT FOR PROJECT INFORMATION: Stephen Woelfel (617) 973-7474
MEPA CONTACT: Deirdre Buckley (617) 626-1044 or deirdre.buckley@state.ma.us
MEPA COMMENTS ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE 11/9/06
B) What's the proposal for the Green Line Extension?
The Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) envisions that the Green Line Extension project
will commence construction in 2011, and be completed in 2014, at a cost of over half a billion
dollars. The conceptual design for this project in contained in the Expanded Environmental
Notification Form (ENF) that EOT has filed with the MEPA (Massachusetts Environmental
Protection Act) unit, under the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA).
How to view the ENF:
To see the first 6 pages of the MEPA filing, go to:
http://www.mass.gov/envir/mepa/pdffiles/enfs/101006em/13886.pdf
These pages contain only a very rough description, and no maps, but there is also a link to the
whole ENF, a few steps away.
To download the entire ENF, go to the STEP website and click on “download the EENF”:
http://www.somervillestep.org/2006/10/green_line_envi_1.html
The ENF is also available through the City of Somerville website:
http://www.somerville.ci.ma.us
For a hard copy of the ENF, call Stephen Woelfel (617) 973-7474, and you will be mailed a
copy (though clearly not in time for Monday's meeting).
C) What's this hearing for? Ideas for talking points
The ENF is the big starting point of an immense project to benefit Somerville. It is certainly
appropriate to express our gratitude for the progress represented by the ENF. At the same time,
Monday night's session - and the written comment period following it - will be the prime
opportunity to influence important aspects of the project before they become settled.
As the Boston MPO newsletter points out, “Details regarding impacts associated with station
siting, maintenance facility planning, and terminus siting will also be addressed in this phase.”
That's bureaucracy-speak for, there are a lot of details to work out, so this is the time to
consider future impacts. The public testimony will help MEPA decide what impacts they should
be considering.
It's helpful to remember that the ENF is based on a certain set of assumptions about this project.
While these are informed by the study phase of the Green Line project, they are still
assumptions, subject to potential modification. Medford, for instance, is likely to have a great
deal to say about whether the extension should terminate at Medford Hillside, as proposed by
EOT.
Some points worth thinking - and speaking - about include these:
i) Station Locations
EOT proposes to build six or seven Green Line stations in Somerville and Medford. The list of
currently proposed station locations includes (exact locations to be determined): Winthrop Street
(possibly), College Avenue (near Tufts University), Broadway/Ball Square, Lowell Street,
Medford Street/Gilman Square, Washington Street, and Union Square. The Union Square stop
is proposed to be located on Prospect Street, adjacent to the Fitchburg Line tracks
Each station will bring with it impacts, both positive and negative, to its immediate
neighborhood. Some of the impacts are classic environmental impacts: noise, traffic, air quality
impacts, disruption of existing conditions, etc. Other impacts are more positive: increased
commercial activity, convenience for residents, and economic development opportunities. Real
estate values are likely to rise around stations, too - which can cut two ways.
What are the best locations for stations? Which specific areas can best absorb negative impacts,
and magnify the positive ones? Take a look at the map, and ask yourself these questions as you
walk around the city.
ii) Citizen Advisory Committee/Environmental Justice
Parts of eastern Somerville are designated as “environmental justice” areas. To qualify the Green
Line extension project for any federal funding, the MEPA environmental review should reflect
federal environmental justice policies. To comply with federal regulations, the project would
need a citizen advisory committee, to work with MEPA and EOT to ensure that environmental
justice issues are addressed during the corridor planning and environmental permitting process.
How can we ensure that such a committee gets organized, and has the resources and
independence that it needs to be effective? What resources would such a committee need? Who
could best advocate for the concerns of Somerville's most overlooked and overburdened
residents?
D) More Green Line Food for Thought
Ellin Reisner, a member of the Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership (STEP), has
written an interesting op/ed piece about EOT's Green Line Extension proposal. To read it, go
to:
http://www.townonline.com/somerville/opinion/view.bg?articleid=592893
2) My October Office Hours in Somerville
I invite you to join me for a cup of coffee during my upcoming office hours in Somerville. I
look forward to hearing your ideas, questions, and concerns.
Friday, October 20, 8:30-10am, Bickford's, 345 Broadway
Saturday, October 28, 10-11:30am, Café Rossini, 278B Highland Ave
3) Community Activities
A) Greek Music
When: Sunday, October 22, doors open at 6PM, performance is from 7-9pm
Where: Greek Orthodox Church at 29 Central Street
Historic Somerville, The Somerville Museum and the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin
Mary are co-sponsoring a cabaret: an evening of Rebetika music (Greek urban blues) by the
Greek Music Ensemble. This group was sold out when they performed last year at MIT. They are highly rated
so get your tickets early! Tickets are $20 each, payable to the Somerville Museum at One
Westwood Road, Somerville, MA 02143.
Other information: You will be able to pay for food and drinks separately while there. The event
is being held in the hall of the Church and parking is available in the parking lot.
B) Ghosts
Historic Somerville will once again perform The Ghosts of Somerville at the historic Milk Row
Cemetery on October 29 (Sunday) at 4PM. They'll be serving hot cider to keep warm.
Material from this newsletter may be quoted freely, provided that it is credited to Denise
Provost, www.provost-citywide.org
copyright 2006 Denise Provost
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