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Smith College presents Mill Riverbank stabilization plan; hearing continued to Oct. 8
Summary
Smith College representative Joe Rogers outlined a nature-based and engineering mix to stabilize 700 linear feet of Mill River bank, citing habitat plantings and bridge repairs. Commissioners voted to continue the public hearing to Oct. 8 while FEMA modeling and additional analyses are completed.
Smith College presented a multi-part plan to stabilize sections of the Mill River adjacent to campus, combining anchored "log jam" nature-based structures, vegetated riprap and selected traditional armoring. Joe Rogers of GZA GeoEnvironmental, speaking for Smith College, walked commissioners through maps and schematics and said the project would address erosion upstream and downstream of Paradise Pond and the Lamont Footbridge.
Rogers said the proposal would impact roughly 700 linear feet of bank and — because the treatments add complexity to the bank line — would amount to about 1,078 linear feet of replacement bank. He described areas of land-underwater alteration and plantings he estimated at roughly 450 plants to restore riverfront habitat, and cautioned that FEMA flood-map revisions could change final numbers. "My name is Joe Rogers. I'm from GZA GeoEnvironmental. I'm a wetland scientist...Now I'm here, on behalf of Smith College to introduce the project," he said.
Commissioners questioned technical points including floodplain mapping, permitting and the timing of in-water work to avoid impacts to mussels and turtles. Staff and Rogers said the project has completed several reviews (natural heritage, a 401 permit) but still anticipates Army Corps and FEMA coordination; Rogers requested a continuance to allow additional FEMA modeling and other outstanding analyses. The commission voted by roll call to continue the public hearing to October 8 at 5:30 p.m., a date selected to avoid re-advertising the hearing.
