Staff: Eversource transmission work will use timber mats and avoid permanent wetland impacts

Commission staff reviewed a permit-by-notification filing from Eversource for work on a transmission-line corridor at the intersection of Route 114, Route 101 and Boynton Street, and told commissioners the project is expected to avoid permanent wetland impacts.

Why it matters: Utility maintenance in wetland-adjacent corridors can temporarily disturb soils and vegetation; staff asked the commission to note the filing and confirm that proposed measures align with mitigation expectations.

Project description and mitigation: The staff report said Eversource will replace structures (timber poles) within a transmission corridor and will avoid permanent wetland fills. Temporary impacts to two wetlands would occur where timber matting is laid for equipment access; the matting is expected to remain in place for one season before restoration and reseeding. Staff also reported that the contractor will implement erosion control measures and that work windows and on-site environmental monitors are proposed to reduce risk to a potential wood turtle presence: “they are implementing the right measures to address risks to wood turtles including work limitations on when they can do certain activities, as well as having an environmental monitor who sweeps the work area” (staff summary).

State process and permitting note: Staff said the filing met the state's standards for a permit-by-notification because it follows agreed standards and stays under the acreage threshold that would trigger a full permit application. The commission received the report and had no additional questions; there were no public comments.

Next steps: The project will proceed under the permit-by-notification process; staff will monitor any required restoration and compliance measures.