A00871-616286.pdf

Massachusetts Department Of Transportation Highway Division Proposal No. 616286-135582

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FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

(MESA DETERMINATION)

Massachusetts Department Of Transportation Highway Division Proposal No. 616286-135582

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June 29, 2026

Julia Hoogeboom

Massachusetts Department of Transportation - Highway Division, Environmental Services

10 park plaza

Boston, MA 02116

RE: Project Location: CHESTERFIELD- MIDDLEFIELD- PITTSFIELD

Project Description: 616286 -BRIDGE MAINTENANCE AND PRESERVATION

NHESP File No.: 26-20433

Heritage Hub Form ID: RC-99100

Dear Applicant:

The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (the

“Division”) received the MESA Project Review Checklist and supporting documentation for review pursuant to the

Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MGL. c. 131A) and its implementing regulations (321 CMR 10.00) (MESA).

PROJECT DESCRIPTION (the “Project“)

The proposed locations for this work will occur at the following 4 bridges: Indian Hollow Road over Chauncey

Brook in Chesterfield (C-12-019), Town Hill Road over Factory Brook in Middlefield (M-19-003 and M-19-004), Holmes Road over the Housatonic River in Pittsfield (P-10-001), removal and replacement of hot mix asphalt wearing surfaces, full and partial depth deck repairs, joint replacements, substructure repairs, cleaning and painting of structural steel and structural steel repairs. Selective tree clearing in the area within 10’ of the outer face of the wingwalls and abutments and extending 10’ beyond the end of wingwalls at all bridges (as needed), with no laydown of materials or ground disturbance proposed within vegetated areas. Temporary traffic control is also proposed. as shown on the Project Plan.

MASSACHUSETTS ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (MESA)

The MESA is administered by the Division and prohibits the Take of state-listed species, which includes actions that

“in reference to animals, means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, hound, kill, trap, capture, collect, process, disrupt the nesting, breeding, feeding or migratory activity or attempt to engage in any such conduct, or to assist such conduct, and in reference to plants, means to collect, pick, kill, transplant, cut or process or attempt to engage or to assist in any such conduct. Disruption of nesting, breeding, feeding or migratory activity may result from, but is not limited to, the modification, degradation or destruction of habitat of state-listed wildlife species”

(321 CMR 10.02). The purpose of the Division’s review under the MESA regulations is to determine whether a

Take of state-listed species will result from the proposed project.

Based on a review of the information that was provided and the information that is currently contained in our database, the Division has determined that this Project will not result in a prohibited Take of state-listed rare

Proposal Np. 616286-135582

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RC-99100NHESP No. Page 2 of 2June 29, 2026 Issued species. This determination is a final decision of the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife pursuant to 321 CMR 10.18.

Any changes to the proposed project or any additional work beyond that shown on the site plans may require an additional filing with the Division pursuant to the MESA. This project may be subject to further review if no physical work is commenced within five years from the date of issuance of this determination, or if there is a change to the project. The authorization for work is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.

If you have any questions regarding this letter please contact Tim McGuire, Endangered Species Review Biologist, at timothy.mcguire2@mass.gov.

Sincerely, Jesse Leddick

Assistant Director cc: david paulson, Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Julia Hoogeboom, Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Proposal Np. 616286-135582

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