May 6, 2013
Secretary Richard A. Davey
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Ten Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116-3969
Dear Secretary Davey:
This letter is the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) response
to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Response to Public Comments
Report (Report) dated January 23, 2013, as required by the public process requirements of the
Transit System Improvements regulation, 310 CMR 7.36(7). MassDOT’s report also contains
MassDOT’s written certification that the public process requirements of the regulation have been
met.
310 CMR 7.36 (7) requires MassDOT to submit an annual update and status report (status report)
on incomplete transit projects by July 1st of each year. MassDOT submitted the status report to
MassDEP on July 2, 2012. The status report addressed three projects; 1) Construction of 1000
new park and ride parking spaces, 2) the Fairmount Line Improvement Project, and 3) the Green
Line Extension Project. MassDEP held two public meetings on September 18, 2012 at 1 PM and
5 PM. During the meetings, MassDOT presented a summary of the status report and MassDEP
and MassDOT took public comments on the report.
The Report reiterates MassDOT’s position that the 1000 new park and ride parking space project
commitment has been met with the opening of the Wonderland Garage on June 30, 2012. The
Report also indicates that many public comments sought interim offset measures associated with
delays with the Fairmount Line Improvement Project and the Green Line Extension Project.
MassDEP concurs with MassDOT’s that the 1000 new park and ride parking spaces requirement
has been met and that no further annual reporting is required. Interim offset measures for the
delay in the Fairmount Line Improvement Project, including shorter headways of Route 31 bus
service and dedicated shuttle service on the CT3 bus route, are in place and must continue
throughout the period of the project’s delay. MassDOT is in the process of developing
appropriate interim offset measures for the delay in the Green Line Extension Project. MassDEP
understands that consideration and review of these interim offset measures for the Green Line
This information is available in alternate format. Call Michelle Waters-Ekanem, Diversity Director, at 617-292-5751. TDD# 1-866-539-7622 or 1-617-574-6868
MassDEP Website: www.mass.gov/dep
Printed on Recycled Paper
Secretary Richard A. Davey
May 6, 2013
Page 2
Extension Project are undergoing an additional and separate public process after which
MassDOT will submit the proposed measures to MassDEP for review and approval.
MassDEP has reviewed the Report and has determined that MassDOT has met the public process
and annual reporting requirements of 310 CMR 7.36(7).
If you have any questions or concerns regarding these regulatory requirements, please do not
hesitate to contact me or Christine Kirby of my staff at 617-292-5631.
Sincerely,
Kenneth L. Kimmell
Commissioner
Cc:
U.S. EPA, Region 1
Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization