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New England Power to file after‑the‑fact RDA for fence installed in riverfront buffer at Depot Street substation
Summary
At the June 16 meeting New England Power’s consultant reported an after‑the‑fact security fence and gate installed within riverfront buffer; the commission asked for an after‑the‑fact RDA, photos, construction details and a site visit to assess impacts on wildlife movement and riparian vegetation.
Representatives for New England Power told the conservation commission on June 16 that a security fence and gate were recently extended along the access drive into the Depot Street substation yard and that the work encroached within the riverfront area and the 100‑foot buffer.
Teresa Portante of BSC Group, speaking for New England Power, said the fence was added because the site experienced trespass and dumping. "The fence was installed, within the riverfront area and also within the buffer zone, because that's the, you know, the existing drive location," she said, and provided photos to illustrate the location and extent of trimming and new posts.
Commissioners noted the area along the river is now bifurcated by the new fencing and discussed potential effects on wildlife access and river‑edge habitat. They agreed an after‑the‑fact Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) should be filed that documents exact fence locations, how posts were installed, what trimming occurred and what precautions were used. Commissioners recommended a site visit to assess whether gates or openings should be retained for animal passage and requested the applicant justify the full‑property encapsulation in the filing.
The consultant said an after‑the‑fact RDA and supporting photographs would be submitted prior to the July 7 meeting and that the company is willing to meet with staff for a site visit prior to the commission’s review.
