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Residents urge independent environmental and flood studies as Manresa plans advance
Summary
Neighbors at the July 29 hearing asked the commission to require independent environmental and flood/sea‑level studies before zoning changes are approved, citing past contamination, coal ash, shoreline flooding, and potential impacts on marshes, oyster beds and nesting species.
Environmental concerns were a recurring theme July 29. Speakers with conservation and technical backgrounds asked the commission to require independent environmental and offshore remediation reviews and to assess flood risk and climate resilience before granting durable zoning changes. Diane Loricella, an environmental consultant and former harbor commissioner, said offshore remediation and flood evaluation "need to be independent" and highlighted prior storm inundation of the site and access roads.
Speakers noted the site's industrial legacy, the presence of coal ash and other contaminants, and marsh habitat that supports nesting birds and diamondback terrapins. Several urged that remediation obligations and monitoring be explicitly tied to the land (for example via recorded conservation easements or deed restrictions) and that night‑time lighting be limited to protect wildlife. The applicant and consulting teams asserted they are working with recognized environmental firms and would supply technical materials; the commission requested that staff post the applicant's memos and said public testimony would continue Aug. 19.
