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Conservation commission renews MBTA/Keolis five‑year vegetation management plan with conditions
Summary
Commission granted a renewal/negative determination for Keolis’ five‑year vegetation management plan, noting regulated 1‑year and 2‑year spray zones and requiring compliance with CMR 11 and DEP guidance and attachment of special conditions limiting herbicide use near wetlands.
The Taunton Conservation Commission voted to issue a negative determination and attach special conditions to Keolis Commuter Services’ five‑year vegetation management plan for MBTA rights‑of‑way on Sept. 15.
Matt Donovan, representing Keolis/Bennett, explained the maps marking 1‑year and 2‑year treatment zones and the no‑spray yellow zones. He described the road bed spray application performed by spray truck operators and said an environmental monitor accompanies each application to verify flagging and to flip off nozzles where sensitive areas are marked.
Staff recommended conditions and noted that the program conforms to Massachusetts right‑of‑way management regulations and the Wetlands Protection Act preface; the record states that herbicides will not be applied on or within 10 feet of any wetland and that mechanical methods are used in adjacent buffer areas where chemical restrictions apply.
The commission approved the negative determination with attached special conditions and a requirement that operational plans and notifications be submitted to relevant town offices and published as required under regulations.
