Reports: Executive Director’s Reports

March 27, 2008

  1. DCR - The DCR is scheduled to hold a public meeting in early April to discuss the interim repairs to the Storrow Drive tunnel. At that time we should be able to confirm whether the interim recharge system will be included.
  2. MBTA - The Action Team met with General Manager Dan Grabauskas to formally present the long term plan for raising groundwater levels in the section of the South End near Back Bay Station. The meeting went very well, and the project will now move into the RFP stage for selection of the design engineer. The MBTA has set aside additional funds in the Capital Improvement Plan to assure that there is enough to complete the recharge system, as well as the underground wall if needed. There was also agreement on trying to set up a fund using the Commonwealth’s appropriation for attacking the problem to generate the funds needed to maintain the system over the long haul. Plans call for actual installation of the system in 2010.
  3. GCOD - The Board of Appeals continues to insist on complete compliance with GCOD standards. We have now had our first case that falls under the different standard that applies in the North End and Fort Point neighborhoods and have worked our way through a procedure that will apply in those areas.
  4. Legislation - Citywide GET has developed a later draft of their legislation since meeting with the Trust in November. Rep. Walz has asked me to advise her in considering it.
  5. Website - We upgraded our software this week to allow access to a location on the interactive map by entering an address as an alternative to zooming in. All other functions remain available as before. I have also gotten multiple compliments on our addition (at Tim Mitchell’s suggestion) of a section on GCOD.
  6. 350 Boylston Street - The BRA scoping letter has been issued, and the proponents will be developing a Draft Project Impact Report. In addition to our comments, multiple letters addressed the importance of dealing with groundwater issues. The proponent and his team recognize the importance of the issue and have proposed a system that, if properly designed and executed, may provide more recharge than would be required under GCOD.
  7. 30 North Margin Street - I attended a public meeting on this project in the North End that includes a deep underground garage. There was much concern about groundwater expressed at the meeting. We will be working with the BRA and the proponent to make sure that those concerns are adequately addressed in a way that will not allow the garage to lead to reductions in groundwater levels. This level of protection is mandated by GCOD.
  8. Copley Place - I have been contacted by a representative of the team proposing a new high rise building at Copley Place and expect to discuss their groundwater plans in the near future.
  9. Scoping Sessions - I attended BRA scoping sessions on new projects at Parcel 24 in Chinatown and at 51 Melcher St in Fort Point.
  10. Research Projects - I have an agreement with the lead researcher on the remote sensing project that we will have a report by May 1. I anticipate receiving a report on the alternative foundation repair project before that.
  11. Recharge Methods - The DEP and the Boston Environment Department are planning a trip on April 1 to the University of New Hampshire to view a lab they have to research methods of stormwater capture and recharge. I’ve been asked to attend and will be there.
  12. Comment Letters - I filed comment letters, all of which are posted on our website, on the following projects: 5-10 St. George St; Parcel 24 Chinatown; 49/51/63 Melcher St; Emmanuel College Fenway Residence Hall; and 316-322 Summer St.