North Face. South Face. Figure Science Park Station Exteriors. Pg 1-3 MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

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1 North Face South Face MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY Pg 1-3 Figure Science Park Station Exteriors

2 MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY Pg 1-4 Figure Science Park Station Platform Level

3 Science Park/West End Station Accessibility Improvements Environmental Assessment It also does not have a second means of egress from either platform to a point of safety, which is a requirement of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 130, the egress code in effect. 1.3 Federal and State Decisions and Actions The Science Park/West End Station project is required to comply with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), 2 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 3 Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 as amended, 4 and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as the lead federal agency for the project, is responsible for evaluating properties identified through the assessment and determining the effect under Section 106 of the NHPA, and the implementing regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. 6 For resources that were determined to be significant and eligible for listing on the National Register, the FTA and the MBTA consulted with the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer (MASHPO)/Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) to determine whether there were prudent or feasible alternatives to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects of the project pursuant to 36 CFR.800.5(e) and The Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) and Cambridge Historic Commission (CHC) were included in any consultations, as well as other interested parties that were invited as appropriate, such as DCR. Additional survey and evaluation of historic and archaeological resources was undertaken in accordance with the standards of the MHC State Archaeologist s permit regulations, 7 the Secretary of the Interior s Standards and Guidelines for Identification, 8 and the National Park Service (NPS) guidelines for assessing eligibility for listing in the National Register. 9 Providing accessibility to the station involves federal regulations, the state jurisdiction and agreements that the MBTA entered into with individual groups like the BCIL. The project will bring the station in compliance with ADA Architectural Guidelines (ADAAG), Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB), and the settlement with the BCIL. 1.4 Scope of the Environmental Analysis This Environmental Assessment (EA) meets the requirements of MEPA; NEPA; Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966; Massachusetts General Law Chapter 9, Sections 26-27C, as amended by Chapter 254 of the Acts of 1988 (950 CMR 71.00); and Section 4(f) of the Transportation Act of MEPA requires that state agencies study the environmental consequences of their actions, including permitting and financial assistance. It also requires them to take all feasible measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate damage to the environment. The Environmental Notification Form for this project is included as an attachment to this EA. 3 Title I of NEPA contains a Declaration of National Environmental Policy which requires the federal government to use all practicable means to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony. Section 102 requires federal agencies to incorporate environmental considerations in their planning and decision-making through a systematic interdisciplinary approach. Specifically, all federal agencies are to prepare detailed statements assessing the environmental impact of and alternatives to major federal actions significantly affecting the environment. These statements are commonly referred to as environmental impact statements (EISs). Section 102 also requires federal agencies to lend appropriate support to initiatives and programs designed to anticipate and prevent a decline in the quality of mankind's world environment. 4 Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) requires Federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. 5 Section 4(f) refers to the original section within the Department of Transportation (DOT) Act of 1966 which set the requirement for consideration of park and recreational lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites in transportation project development. The law, now codified in two places (49 U.S.C. 303 and 23 U.S.C. 138), is implemented by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) through regulations found at 23 CFR It applies to all projects that receive funding from or require approval by an agency of the U.S. DOT CFR CMR FR National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority June

4 Science Park/West End Station Accessibility Improvements Environmental Assessment This document generally describes the proposed project scope, characterizes the project area, and presents information about potential effects and benefits of the project on historic properties and other environmental resources. It outlines design alternatives considered and potential mitigation options. Supporting technical documentation for cultural resources includes the results of a historic and archaeological assessment of the project area with environmental, pre-contact/contact period Native American and post-contact Euro American context statements; a description of the known and expected resources; a detailed description and history of the Science Park/West End Station; maps; photographs; and other supporting documentation. Detailed discussion of impacts to cultural resources and hazardous materials in the project area are discussed in Chapters 3 and 4. Impact categories that are not expected to be affected by the proposed action were eliminated from further analysis in this EA; they are briefly summarized below: Socioeconomic Conditions, Zoning and Consistency with Local Plans - The station is located in the middle of Leverett Circle near the Museum of Science. Nashua Street separates the station from the Charles River/Boston Inner Harbor on the north side of the site. The current land use of the site is considered transportation by MassGIS records. The Charles River has a vertical stone bank on both sides with pedestrian sidewalks and green space along the top of bank. This area is owned by the Commonwealth, but is not considered a parkland or protected open space, according to MassGIS records. Construction is the modification and improvement of the existing station, and is not expected to impact socioeconomic conditions or be inconsistent with established zoning regulations or local planning efforts. Traffic This project is an improvement/modification of the existing station to meet ADA standards; no permanent impacts to traffic are expected, but there may be short-term, temporary impacts during the construction period. Mitigation options for temporary traffic impacts will be coordinated with the DCR and the City of Boston, and are discussed in Chapter 4. Noise and Vibration Because the project is the improvement of an existing station, no permanent noise or vibration impacts are anticipated. There will be no changes to the existing Green Line service. There is the potential for temporary increased noise and vibration levels during the construction period. Mitigation options for temporary noise and vibration impacts are discussed in Chapter 4. Air Quality No permanent impacts to air quality are expected because the project is the improvement of an existing station. There are no changes to the Green Line service. There is the potential for exhaust to be released from a new emergency generator at the station, but the impacts are expected to be negligible. There are potential temporary impacts due to construction activities, and mitigation opportunities are discussed in Chapter 4. Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898, General Actions to Address Environmental Justice In Minority Populations and Low Income Populations, requires all federal agencies to incorporate environmental justice into their missions by identifying and addressing the disproportionately high and/or adverse effects of their programs and policies on minority and low income populations and communities. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national orientation, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. The proposed action would not have disproportionately high and/or adverse health or environmental effects on minority or low income populations or communities as defined in the U.S. Department of Transportation, Order to Address Environmental Justice 10 and Environmental Justice Guidance under NEPA. 11 There are no significant long term adverse noise, air quality, traffic, or land CEQ,1997. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority June

5 Science Park/West End Station Accessibility Improvements Environmental Assessment use/socioeconomic impacts associated with the project. The project will provide benefits through increased transit accessibility. Therefore, environmental justice was excluded as an impact topic from further detailed analysis. Parklands - The station is located on DCR land and as such, it qualifies for Article 97 public parkland protection. This is discussed in more detail in Section 3.4 (Land Use) and Section 4.12 (Permitting). Wild and Scenic Rivers There are no federal wild and scenic rivers located within or adjacent to the project site. Natural Resources The Science Park/West End Station is located on landlocked filled tidelands, but it is within 250 feet of the mean high water mark, requiring a Chapter 91 license. This is discussed further in Section 4.12 (Permitting). The project site is situated on inland bank and within the buffer zone of the Boston Inner Harbor. A Request for Determination of Applicability was filed with the Boston Conservation Commission (BCC). In a meeting held on April 8, 2009, the BCC determined that a Notice of Intent was not necessary for the project. Massachusetts Water Quality Regulations 12 govern work that occurs within surface waters of the Commonwealth. No work in surface waters is anticipated. Section 401/404 of the Clean Water Act are the federal and state regulations that govern dredging or filling of surface waters. No dredging or filling of surface water is anticipated for this project. Section 10 of the Harbor and Rivers Act is the federal regulation that governs work within rivers, including dredging or filling. No work is anticipated in the Charles River. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), 13 the Science Park/West End station is located in Zone C, which indicates an area of minimal flooding. The site is not located within the 100 year or five year floodplain. Water Quality A U.S. EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) Construction General Permit is required when there is a disturbance of one or more acres of land, including construction and staging areas. It is unlikely that this project would disturb more then one acre. However, if land disturbing activities exceed one acre, the selected contractor would be required to submit a Notice of Intent for coverage under the NPDES General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Construction Activities. This permit would also cover any dewatering activities during construction. A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, Sedimentation/Erosion Control Plan, Operations and Maintenance Plan, Health and Safety Plan, and Dewatering Management Plan would be required to satisfy the requirements of NPDES. Massachusetts also has state requirements related to the NPDES program, which are further defined in the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act, 14 Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards, 15 Massachusetts Surface Water Discharge Permit Program, 16 and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Storm Water Management Policy, 17 and applicable Storm Water Performance Standards, as prescribed by state regulations promulgated under the authority of the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act. Upon stabilization of the site, a Notice of Termination for coverage under the General Permit would be submitted CMR FEMA FIRM map for the City of Boston, Massachusetts, Suffolk County. Community Panel Number C, Panel 4 of 31. Effective Date: April 1, Chapter 21, ss CMR CMR March Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority June

6 Science Park/West End Station Accessibility Improvements Environmental Assessment Rare and Endangered Species The Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service s Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Species in Massachusetts does not include any species in Boston or Cambridge. According to the State of Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP), there are no NHESP 2008 Priority Habitats of Rare Species and also Estimated Habitats of Rare Wildlife or NHESP 2008 Priority Habitats of Rare Species in the project area. Prime and Unique Farmlands According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the project area is classified as Urban Land. 18 Therefore, analysis for Prime and Unique Farmlands is not included in the EA. 1.5 Applicable Laws, Regulations, Required Coordination, and Permits Coordination with the various regulatory agencies has been ongoing throughout the study process. Following is a list of laws and policies that apply to the proposed action: National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended. Regulations found in 40 CFR , and as regulated by U.S.DOT FTA in 23 CFR 771; Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act, as regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through 33 USC ; Sections of the Clean Air Act; Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966; Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act, of 1966, as regulated in 23 CFR ; Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, 16 USC 460; Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act, as regulated in 50 CFR 17 et seq; Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, May 24, 1977, 42 FR 26961, as amended by E.O , Sept. 9, 1987, 52 FR [42 USC 4321]; Executive Order 11988, Protection of Floodplains, May 24, FR 26951, as amended by E.O , July 20, 1979, 44 FR [42 USC 4321]; Executive Order 12898, Federal Action to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations February 11, 1994; U.S. Department of Transportation Order on Environmental Justice (U.S.DOT Order ),1997; Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 USC 4601 et seq); and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (310 CMR 10.00) The proposed Science Park/West End Station Accessibility Improvements Project is a recommended project in the approved Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization s (MPO) Transportation Plan, Journey to The project is also included in the MPO s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Air Quality Conformity Determination for fiscal years 2007 to 2010 (in the 2010 element). This TIP has been officially endorsed by the MPO and has received federal agency approval. 1.6 Organization of Document This EA is organized as follows: Chapter 1 describes the purpose and need for the project and describes the scope of the environmental analysis. 18 USDA NCRS Web Soil Survey, December April 12, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority June

7 Science Park/West End Station Accessibility Improvements Environmental Assessment Chapter 2 documents the process for developing and evaluating alternatives for the project. Chapter 3 describes existing conditions that represent the No Build environment for the project. Chapter 4 describes the environmental consequences and proposed mitigation for the Preferred Alternative. Chapter 5 describes the agency coordination and consultation and public participation process that has occurred throughout the development of this project. Attachments to the EA include the Section 4(f) Statement and Memorandum of Agreement for cultural resources, the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Environmental Notification Form (ENF), a list of the individuals and firms involved in the preparation of the EA, and a list of references. A complete circulation list for the EA is included with the ENF attachment to the document. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority June

8 CHAPTER 2.0 Alternatives Considered

9 Science Park/West End Station Accessibility Improvements Environmental Assessment CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED 2.1 Introduction Four design alternatives were considered by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in their Science Park Station Accessibility Improvements Passenger Circulation Studies: 20 Base Case - two door front/back elevator; Alternative 1 - two door adjacent elevator); Alternative 2 - American with Disabilities Act (ADA) automatic fare collection (AFC) at grade; and Alternative 3 - ramp from grade to mezzanine. The No Build Alternative is used as a baseline against which impacts of the build alternatives can be measured; it reflects current conditions without any construction and does not meet the purpose and need. All of the build alternatives involve creating an additional point of entry to the platforms from proposed elevator towers and an extension of the existing station platforms approximately 90 feet west to the eastern edge of Pier 2 on the concrete portion of the viaduct. Until all trains can include all low floor vehicles, mini-high ramps will be located at the west end of the north platform and the east end of the south platform. 21 The proposed typical platform plan will require the removal of portions of the inbound and outbound platform walls and the relocation of the concrete balustrade on the viaduct structure to accommodate wider platforms. Safety railings or fencing to add additional height to the viaduct balustrades is required. Descriptions of the four alternatives are outlined below. 2.2 Base Case (Two Door Front/Back Elevator) The Base Case would locate two elevator towers approximately eight feet by eight feet on the north and south elevations of the station immediately adjacent to the existing ground level staircases, outside the station s current ground footprint. The paired entries would be on the north and south elevations of each elevator. Elevator towers would extend from ground level to platform level and have adjacent mechanical and circulation levels approximately eight feet square in plan, extending from ground level to mezzanine level. A new mechanical and electrical room approximately eight feet wide and 29 feet long would be added to the west elevation of the mezzanine and extend the full distance between the concrete piers of the Lechmere Viaduct. The mezzanine addition would require the removal of an original steel staircase currently leading from mezzanine to ground level. Figures and depict the ground and mezzanine level designs of this alternative. All alternatives considered had similar platform level design, shown in Figure Alternative 1 (Two Door Adjacent Elevator) This alternative provides for two elevator towers near the same locations identified in the Base Case, but no adjoining mechanical rooms. Figures and detail the design for Alternative 1. A mezzanine level elevator platform would be located on the east side of the south elevator, outside the current station footprint. Entrances would be on both the north and east elevations of the north elevator, and the south and east elevations of the south elevator. Significant mezzanine level additions would be identical to those shown in the Base Case, but with fare collectors relocated within currently existing spaces to accommodate changed elevator locations. 20 DMJM Harris/AECOM, Mini-high ramps are not constant through out the MBTA system, but they serve to designate the Science Park/West End Station as accessible, and assist disabled passengers in planning their trips utilizing accessible stations. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 2-1 June 2009

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