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Commission continues review of New England Power line maintenance in wetlands
Summary
New England Power sought waivers for maintenance and improvements at 77 transmission structures across multiple wetland resource areas; the Conservation Commission continued the Notice of Intent to May 13 to allow drafting of an Order of Conditions and review of proposed replication and mitigation.
Representatives for New England Power presented a Notice of Intent for maintenance and improvement activities affecting 77 transmission structures along the K137E/L138E/337 right-of-way. Alison Milliman of BSC Group said some work is exempt as utility maintenance but that access-widening, work pads and other structure-related improvements are not exempt and will result in some work within Bordering Vegetated Wetlands, Bordering Land Subject to Flooding and Riverfront Area.
Milliman told the Commission the project "has been designed to avoid and minimize the potential for adverse impacts to wetland resource areas to the greatest extent practicable," and proposed replication areas and temporary construction mats where access crosses wetland areas. Commissioners emphasized hiker safety near impacted trails and asked for an Order of Conditions; Salem indicated an Order will be drafted before the next meeting. The Commission voted to continue the public hearing to May 13, 2026.
The application spans multiple properties along the Littleton-to-Chelmsford corridor and requests waivers for work within 50-foot limits of resource areas; the project narrative and replication plans are included in the meeting packet.
