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Acushnet - Fall River Reliability Project

Protecting The Environment

National Grid works closely with federal and state agencies, environmental organizations, local communities, and other interested parties to maximize environmental protection in our operations. We are committed to protecting and enhancing the environmental status of the land on which we operate. National Grid has established and proven environmental guidelines and practices that will be implemented during the construction of the Project.

For the Acushnet to Fall River Reliability Project, National Grid is coordinating with the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) to minimize or avoid potential adverse effects on rare species habitats during design, construction, and operation of the Project.

Habitat Benefits

The proposed Project will create conditions that support and encourage wildlife. Tree clearing and mowing will create additional scrub-shrub and open meadow habitats, which are rare in southern New England. These habitats are beneficial to many species, including insects, native pollinators, birds, bats and other state-protected birds and reptiles. Creation of additional scrub-shrub and open meadow will also increase habitat opportunity for state-listed plant species colonization.

Conservation and Management Plan

To avoid and minimize species habitat impacts, National Grid will develop a Conservation and Management Plan for approval by the NHESP that includes measures such as:

  • Environmental and rare species awareness training for construction crews
  • Seasonal restrictions for tree clearing and vegetation removal
  • Installation of signs alerting work crews and local traffic to rare species habitats
  • Tracking and protection via radio-telemetry or other field methods
  • Restoration of habitat after construction
  • Onsite and/or offsite habitat protection measures

Project Permitting and Approvals

Federal

  • United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

    Authorization under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
    Authorization under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act
    National Historic Preservation Act review and Section 106 Consultation

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction Storm Water General Permit
  • United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)

    Section 7 Endangered Species Act and IPaC Consultation

State

  • Mass. Department of Public Utilities (DPU)

    Petition for "Right of Convenience and Necessity"

  • Mass. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

    Mass. Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Certificate

  • Mass. Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)

    Section 401 Water Quality Certificate
    Waterways Program – Ch. 91 Minor Modification

  • Mass. Office of Coastal Zone Management

    Federal Consistency Review

  • Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP)

    MESA Project Review Checklist

  • Mass. Historical Commission (MHC)
  • Authorization under National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 and Massachusetts General Law [M.G.L.] c. 9 § 27C
  • Mass. Dept. of Transportation (MassDOT)

    Highway Crossing Permit

Local

  • Somerset

    Conservation Commission – Order of Conditions

  • Fall River

    Conservation Commission – Order of Conditions