Green Line DEIR comment letters

Want to see all the hundreds of comments MassDOT received about the Green Line Draft Environmental Impact Report? Start reading.

Somerville, Medford, and the Green Line

Somerville Journal: "Somerville, Medford divided on future of Green Line extension"
Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone said that, while he wants to work with Medford on the Green Line, he will fight to move the project with or without the other city.

Scope of technical work approved for FEIR

The Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) on Thursday approved a program of technical analysis and modeling to support the Green Line Extension project's Final Environmental Impact Report and federal funding application. The objectives of the work program, which was submitted by the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS), are to:

• Assist in the refinement of the proposed project
  
• Further measure air quality and environmental justice impacts
  
• Measure cost-effectiveness
  
• Provide necessary components for funding through a Federal Transit Administration New Starts submission
  

Boston Globe on Green Line FEIR

"Final report needed for Green Line extension to proceed"

MEPA certificate accepts Green Line DEIR but requires Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)

The office of MEPA (Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act) has issued a certificate that generally approves the Green Line Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). However, it is demanding that an FEIR be created in order to fully address remaining issues such as the maintenance facility. It's unclear how long it will take to create an FEIR.

Here are high-level points from the document:

• MEPA received hundreds of letters on the DEIR from residents, officials, and organizations. Thank you to all who submitted comments!
  
• MEPA says that MassDOT must "further evaluate alternative locations for the Maintenance Facility in order to address the widespread opposition to the DEIR's preferred location at Yard 8" - including quantitative assessment of Option L and Mirror H. The certificate says that "it appears that Option L may be the most feasible alternative location and the one with the fewest potential conflicts and impacts."
  
• MassDOT must "explore ways to improve integration of the Lechmere Station into the surrounding neighborhood" - including reducing impact on abutters such as the Glass Factory, reducing parking, and improving pedestrian and bicycle access.
  
• Regarding other Green Line stations, MEPA urges MassDOT to consider public comments on issues such as station design, neighborhood integration, and station access (e.g., bus routes and pull-outs).
  
• If extending the Green Line from College Ave to Route 16 is a phase 2 build, MEPA will want a more detailed environmental impact analysis before this phase. It also requires more detailed analysis of how the College Ave area will be impacted if that station serves as a temporary terminus.
  
• The Community Path, good bicycle access to stations, and bicycle parking are all important, and MEPA urges MassDOT and Somerville to find funding so the Path can be built concurrently with the Green Line.
  
• MassDOT must "provide further clarification concerning its air quality modeling assumptions."
  
• MassDOT must "provide a conceptual plan for evaluating, monitoring and compensating affected parties along the corridor with respect to noise and vibration."
  
• MassDOT should "accommodate identified future projects into project layout and design, or at a minimum, not preclude their construction" - this is in reference to many letters asking that Route 28/McGrath be taken down and turned into a boulevard. It also relates to the Urban Ring, extending the Union Square branch to Porter Square, and perhaps a future commuter rail stop at Union Square (based on Congressman Capuano's comments).
  
• A Public Involvement Plan will be created to "facilitate robust community participation beyond the conclusion of the MEPA process" - during planning, design, and construction.
  

Download the certificate (PDF)

Responses to the Green Line DEIR

Here are a few letters written in response to the DEIR:

• STEP's response (PDF)
  
• Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone (PDF)
  
• Somerville Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development (PDF)
  
• Rep. Carl Sciortino (PDF)
  
• Medford Green Line Neighborhood Alliance (PDF)
  

Build Community Path with Green Line extension

Boston Globe: "Community group linking bike path to Green Line extension"
In a Jan. 7 letter to the state's environmental review board, the Friends of the Community Path asked the Department of Transportation to promise that "the Green Line and Community Path extensions will be funded and constructed together as a single project."

Officials and residents weigh in on DEIR

Boston Globe: "Medford, Somerville officials urge Route 16 stop for Green Line"
"The entire project is premised on idea of reducing pollution and getting cars off of the road," said Democratic state Representative Carl Sciortino. "The Route 16 stop provides us with the best opportunity to add new riders [to the subway]."

Medford Mayor's concerns with Green Line DEIR

Medford Transcript: "McGlynn says Medford cannot support Green Line project as is"