Programmatic Agreement for Approval of Categorical Exclusions

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I General
PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT
FOR APPROVAL OF CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS
BETWEEN THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
AND THE MASSACHUSETTS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Massachusetts Highway Department
(MassHighway) have developed this Programmatic Agreement to outline the policy and procedures for
the processing of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) for Federal-aid Actions under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA). These procedures comply with FHWA regulations titled Environmental Impact and
Related Procedures, in 23 CFR 771. This agreement supersedes MassHighway's Policy Directive
No. 90-04, Categorical Exclusions for Federal-Aid Actions and accompanying CE checklist and detailed
instructions.
FHWA coricurs in advance, on a "programmatic" basis, with MassHighway's designation that those types
of projects that satisfy certain conditions identified in this agreement will not result in significant social,
economic, and environmental impacts, and are, therefore, categorically excluded from the requirement to
prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental impact Statement (EIS).
Definition of Categorical Exclusions
Categor icai Exclusions are actions which meet the definition contained in 23 CFR 771 .I 17(a), that is, they
are actions which individually or cumulatively do not involve si~nificant environmental impacts. They are
actions which:
9 Do not induce significant impacts to planned growth or land use for the area;
9 Do not require the relocation of significant numbers of people;
P Do not have a significant impact on any natural, cultural, recreational, historic or other resource;
9 Do not involve significant air, noise, or water quality impacts; or
9 Do not have significant impact on travel patterns.
In addition, regulation 23 CFR 771.1 17(b) states that any action which would normally be classified as a
CE, but could involve unusual circumstances, will require that MassHighway, in cooperation with the
FHWA, conduct appropriate environmental studies to determine if the CE classification is proper.
Such unusual circumstances include:
9 Significant environmental impacts;
P Substantial controversy on environmental grounds;
P Significant impact on properties protected by Section 4(f) of the DOT Act or Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act; or
9 Inconsistencies with any federal or state law, requirement or administrative determination relating
to the environmental aspects of the action.

Additionally, the FHWA and MassHighway concur that, for a project to be classified as a CE, the following
two conditions must be met:
i+ The project conforms to the U.S. EPA's Transportation Conformity Regulations and the
Massachusetts Air Quality State Implementation Plan, and;
3 The project is consistent with the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Plan as determined
by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management.
Processing of Categorical Exclusions
The foilowing section provides information on processing the three levels of CEs (Automatic,
Programmatic, and Individual) to be used as part of this Programmatic Agreement.
Automatic Categorical Exclusions
Based on past experience with similarly environmentally insignificant actions, FHWA and MassHighway
have concluded and are documenting under this Agreement the actions (listed below) that constitute CE
actions and will not indirectly or cumulatively cause significant impacts to the human or natural
environment. These actions meet the criteria of 23 CFR 771 .I 17(a) and (c) "and normally do not require
any further NEPA reviews by the Administrationn. The Environmental Section's Deputy Chief Engineer, or
hislher designee, shall confirm that these actions meet the above criteria for Automatic CE.
All Automatic CE determinations made by MassHighway must be documented. The Categorical Exclusion
Determination Checklist will serve as this documentation.
List of Automatic CE's
Activities that do not involve or lead directly to construction, such as planning and technical
studies; grants for training and research programs; research activities; approval of a unified work
program; approval of Statewide Transportation Improvement Program and any findings required
in the planning process; approval of project concepts for interstate substitution; engineering to
define the elements of a proposed action or alternatives so that social, economic and
environmental effects can be assessed; and Federal-Aid system revisions which establish
classes of highways on the Federal-Aid highway system;
Approval of utility installations along or across a transportation facility;
Construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths, and facilities;
Activities included in MassHighway's "highway safety plan," and funded by Highway Related
Safety Grants (402 Safety Program);
The installation of noise barriers or alterations in existing publicly owned buildings to provide for
noise reduction;
Landscaping;
Installation of fencing, signs, pavement markings, small passenger shelters, traffic signals, and
railroad warning devices where no substantial land acquisition or traffic disruption will occur;
Emergency repairs under the Emergency Relief Program;
Acquisition of scenic easements;
Determination of payback for property previously acquired with Federal-Aid participation;
Improvements to existing rest areas and truck weigh stations;
Ridesharing activities;

P Alterations to facilities to make them accessible to elderly and handicapped persons.
Programmatic Categorical Exctusions
There are additional actions that qualify as CEs under 23 CFR 771.1 17(d). The FHWA and MassHighway
have agreed to a Programmatic CE classification and approval process for these actions. If each of the
following conditions is satisfied, an action is automatically classified as a CE and does not require
additional approval by FHWA.
1. The action does not have any significant environmental impacts as described
in 23 CFR 771.1 17(a).
2. The action does not involve unusual circumstances as described in 23 CFR 771.1 17(b).
3. The action does not involve the following:
the acquisition of more than minor amounts of permanent right-of-way; such acquisitions
will not require any commercial or residential displacement;
substantial environmental impact anticipated from the intended future use of land
involved in a sale, transfer, or lease of state-owned property;
a determination of adverse effect by the State Historic Preservation Officer;
a disproportionately high and adverse impact on minority or low-income populations;
a Type I action requiring a noise assessment;
the use of properties protected by Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act
necessitating the preparation of an Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation;
the use of properties protected by Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act;
a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Individual Section 404 permit;
a U.S. Coast Guard construction permit;
an average of greater than one-half acre of wetlands impact
per linear mile;
an effect on a federally-listed threatened or endangered species or critical habitat;
an adverse impact on a regulatory fioodway or the base floodplain (100-year flood)
elevations of a water course or water body;
m. construction in, across, or adjacent to a river designated as a component in the
National System of Wild and Scenic Rivers;
n. an effect on prime or unique farmland;
o. work within or adjacent to a known Superfund site;
p. any changes in access control;
q. the use of a temporary road, detour or ramp closure unless the use of such facilities
satisfy the following conditions:
1) provisions are made for access by local traffic and so posted;

2) through-traffic dependent business will not be adversely affected;
3) the detour or ramp closure, to the extent possible, will not interfere with any
local special event or festival;
4) the temporary road, detour or ramp closure does not substantially change the
environmental consequences of the action;
5) there is no substantial controversy associated with the temporary road, detour,
or ramp closure;
All programmatic CE determinations made by MassHighway under this blanket classification must be
supported by documentation that indicates that all the required conditions are satisfied. The
Categorical Exctusion Determination Checklist with supporting documentation will serve as this
documentation.
As early as possible in the design phase, the MassHighway project manager will be responsible for
ensuring that the checklist is completed and has obtained the signature of the MassHighway
Environmental Section Deputy Chief Engineer or hisiher designee on the checklist.
lndividual Categorical Exclusions
Actions that do not satisfy the conditions for a programmatic CE may still qualify as a CE, but approval of
the action as an lndividual CE is needed from FHWA. In this case, as early as possible in the design
phase, the MassHighway project manager must coordinate the completion of a Categorical Exclusion
Checklist, with adequate supporting information attached, that clearly establishes that the proposed action
has little or no potential for significant environmental impacts. The signature of the MassHighway
Environmental Section Deputy Chief Engineer or hislher designee on the CE Determination Checklist is
required. The MassHighway project manager must then formally submit this documentation to FHWA for
approval of the action as an lndividual CE determination.
In all cases, the MassHighway project manager is responsible for indicating to the FHWA that the action
qualifies as either an Automatic, Programmatic, or lndividual CE in routine early design submittals. This
documentation will become a permanent part of the project file and will be available for FHWA review
upon request.
Additional information concerning the completion of the CE checklist can be found in the
MassHighway Categorical Exclusion Determination Checklist Detailed Instructions.
Federal Highway Administration
Massachusetts Division

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CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION (CE) DUERNINATION CHECKLIST
Section 1 Proiect Information
CityRown MassHighway Project Number
MassHighway District Federal-Aid Number
Route or Road Name Project Manager or Preparer
Section 2 Proiect Description and Purpose
Briefly describe the project, including purpose, location, and limits. If necessary, additional sheets
may be attached to the checklist.
Starting with Section 3, answer the questions by checking Yes or No.
After each of the following sections there will be instructions that direct the preparer to either stop
completing the checklist or continue to the next section of the checklist. All supporting '
documentation should be attached to the checklist. The preparer should refer to
MassHighway's Categorical Exclusion Checklist Detailed Instructions for further information and
guidance on completing this checklist.
Section 3 Automatic Categorical Exclusion YES NO
1. Is the Project an Automatic CE?
If Yes, the remainder of checklist does not have to be completed and the checklist should
be included in the project file. If No, the preparer should complete Section 4 below. A list
of projects that qualify as an Automatic CE is provided in the Categorical Exclusion
Detailed Instructions.
Section 4 Categorical Exclusion
2. Does the project induce significant impacts to planned growth or
land use for the area?
3. Does the project require the relocation of significant numbers of
people?
4. Does the project have a significant impact on any natural, culturai,
recreational, historic or other resource?
0 a
0
C1 0

Does the project involve significant air, noise or water quality
impacts?
Does the project have a significant impact on travel patterns?
Does the project involve substantial controversy on environmental
grounds?
Does the project have significant impact on properties protected by
Section 4(f) of the DOT Act, or Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act?
Is the project inconsistent with any federal or state requirement or
administrative determination relating to the environmental aspects of
the action?
Is the project inconsistent with the Massachusetts Coastal Zone
Management Plan as determined by the Massachusetts Office of
Coastal Zone Management?
Yes No
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If the answer for any of the questions within Section 4 is Yes then the proiect does not qualify
as a CE and an EA or EIS is required. If the answer for all of the questions within Section 4 is
No, the preparer should complete Section 5 below.
Section 5 Programmatic Categorical Exclusion
Does the project involve the permanent acquisition of more than
minor amounts of right-of-way?
If the action involves the sale, transfer, or lease of state-owned land,
does the intended future use of such land result in any substantial
environmental impact?
Does the project have a determination of adverse effect by the
State Historic Preservation Officer?
Does the project have a disproportionately high and adverse impact
on minority or low-income populations?
Is the project a Type I action requiring a noise assessment?
Does the project require the use of properties protected by
Section 4(f) of the DOT Act necessitating the preparation of an
Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation?
Does the project require the use of properties protected by
Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act?

Does the project require an Army Corps of Engineers Individual
Section 404 permit?
Does the project require a U.S. Coast Guard construction permit?
Within the project area, does the project result in an average of
greater than one-half acre of permanent wetland impact per linear
mile?
Does the project affect federally listed threatened or endangered
species or critical habitat?
Does the project adversely affect a regulatory floodway or the base
floodplain (100-year flood) elevations of a watercourse or
waterbody?
Does the project involve construction in, across, or adjacent to a river
designated as a component in the Natural System of Wild and
Scenic Rivers?
Does the project affect prime or unique farmland?
Does the project involve work within or adjacent to a known
Supetfund site?
Does the action involve any changes in access control?
If the project involves the use of a temporary road, detour or ramp
closure, will any of the following conditions occur?
o Provisions have not been made for access by local traffic;
o Through-traffic dependent business will be adversely
affected;
o The detour or ramp closure will interfere with a local special
event or festival;
o The temporary road, detour or ramp closure will substantially
change the environmental consequences of the action;
o There is a substantial controversy associated with the
temporary road, detour, or ramp closure.
Yes
123
0
0
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0
0
0
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0

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If the answers to all questions in Section 5 are "No" then the project qualifies as a Programmatic
CE. The checklist and all supporting information should be submitted to the MassHighway Project
Manager.
If the answer for any of the questions in Section 5 is Yes then the proiect does not aualifv as a
Prosrammatic CE and an Individual CE approval from FHWA is required. The preparer should
attach to this checklist all supporting information to clearly establish that there is little or no
potential for significant impact. The Individual CE, and supporting information, will be submitted to
the FHWA Division Office for approval.
I concur with this categorical exclusion determination:
Environmental Section Deputy Chief Engineer
Date

Section 1 Proiect Information
Categorical Exclusion Detemindion Checklist
Detailed Instructions
Complete the Cityflown, MassHighway District, and RoutelRoad Name. Each project is issued a project file
number and a federal-aid number. Contact the project manager for the correct number.
Section 2 Project Description and Purpose
Prepare a brief description of the project, including the project purpose, location, limits, existing conditions,
proposed conditions, environmental impacts and mitigation. This project description is often prepared
separately and attached to the CE checklist.
When the proposed action is the disposition of land purchased wholly or in part with federal funds include a
physical description of the site and its proposed use.
Section 3 Automatic Categorical Exclusion
Question 1 - The following is a list of project types that qualify as Automatic CEs according to
MassHighwayls Programmatic Agreement for Approval of Categorical Exclusions.
Activities that do not involve or lead directly to construction, such as planning and technical studies;
grants for training and research programs; research activities; approval of a unified work program;
approval of Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and any findings required in the
planning process; approval of project concepts for interstate substitution; engineering to define the
elements of a proposed action or alternatives so that social, economic and environmental effects can
be assessed; and Federal-Aid system revisions which establish classes of highways on the
Federal-Aid highway system;
Approval of utility installations along or across a transportation facility;
Construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths, and facilities;
Activities included in the state's "highway safety plan," and funded by Highway Related Safety
Grants (402 Safety Program);
The installation of noise barriers or alterations in existing publicly owned buildings to provide for
noise reduction:
Landscaping;
Installation of fencing, signs, pavement markings, small passenger shelters, traffic signals, and
railroad warning devices where no substantial land acquisition or traffic disruption will occur;
Emergency repairs under the Emergency Relief Program;
Acquisition of scenic easements
Determination of payback for property previously acquired with Federal-Aid participation;

3 Improvements to existing rest areas and truck weigh stations;
9 Ridesharing activities;
> Alterations to facilities to make them accessible to elderly and handicapped persons.
Section 4 Cateqorical Exclusion
Questions 2-1 0 - Categorical Exclusions are actions that do not, individually or cumulatively, involve
sianificant environmental impacts. "Significant", as defined in the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
regulations (40 CFR 1508.27), requires the consideration of both context and intensity. Context and
intensity can be defined as follows:
Context
The significance of a project varies with the setting and both short-term and long-term effects are relevant. In
the case of a highway project, for example, the impact of removing twenty large trees in a heavily forested
rural area with hundreds of trees of the same size and type may not be regarded as significant. The impact of
removing twenty large trees from a tree-lined urban street may be regarded as significant.
Intensitv
This refers to the severity of impact. For example, a highway project with a perpendicular encroachment on a
floodplain that raises the 100-year flood elevation by 0.1 inch may not be regarded as significant. A project
with a longitudinal encroachment on the same floodplain that raises the 100-year flood elevation by eight
inches may be regarded as significant.
The preparer should remember that other agencies may be involved in decisions or permits for the project
and they should be consulted about severity of impact.
Question 2 - Examples of projects that may induce significant impacts to planned growth or land use:
9 Construction of a highway on new location.
9 Changing a segment of highway from partially or fully-controlled access to uncontrolled access.
9 Modification of an existing interchange by adding or relocating ramps.
9 Adding a new interchange to a highway.
Question 3 - Determining the significance of a relocation of people requires the consideration of the "context"
and "intensity" of that relocation. For example, the relocation of 100 people from two multi-family buildings in
a densely populated urban area may not be considered significant while the relocation of 100 people from
20 homes in rural area may be considered significant.
Question 4 - These resources include, but are not limited to, wetlands, lakes, rivers, streams, plants, fish,
wildlife, historic and archaeological resources, parkland and recreational areas. Historic resources are
bridges, districts, structures, objects, or sites that are potentially eligible for or on the National Register of
Historic Places.
Question 5 -Air Quality: A project can be assumed not to have significant air quality impacts if it is included
in a conforming Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and, for only intersection projects and other
required projects in CO nonattainment areas, a CO hot-spot analysis has been conducted (see 40 CFR
93.109, 93.1 16, and 93.123). CO nonattainment area with Full Maintenance Plan: Boston Area - Boston,
Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Quincy, Revere, Somerville. CO nonattainment areas with
Limited Maintenance Plan: Lowell, Springfield, Waltham, and Worcester. Noise: In most cases, there are no
significant noise impacts if the project does not involve construction of a highway on new location or the

physical alteration of an existing highway that significantly changes either the horizontal or vertical alignment
or increases the number of through-traffic lanes. Water Quality: A project can be assumed not to have
significant water quality impacts if it is in compliance with Section 401 and Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act.
Question 6 -Types of projects that may have a significant impact on travel patterns are the same as those
that may have a significant impact to planned growth or land use listed in Question 1 above.
Question 7 - Substantial controversy on environmental grounds may be evident from written or oral
comments received at any time during the development of the project, including during public meetings or
hearings or as part of the MEPA process. Controversy would be considered substantial if it is founded on
environmental grounds and it is of significant magnitude to warrant FHWA's consideration of the project as
requiring an EA or an EIS.
Question 8 - Section 4(f) applies to any federal-aid highway project requiring the use of land from a significant
publicly owned park, recreation area, historic property, or wildlife or waterfowl refuge. A historic property may
be a bridge, structure, site, object, or district. For purposes of Section 4(9, a historic site is significant only if it
is eligible for or on the National Register, unless the FHWA determines that the application of Section 4(9 is
otherwise appropriate. Publicly owned property is determined to be significant by the federal, state, or local
officials having jurisdiction.
Question 9 -A CE will not be approved unless it is consistent with all applicable federal or state laws,
requirements or administrative determinations relating to the environmental aspects of the project.
Question 10 - The Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Plan applies to Federal-aid highway projects
within the designated coastal zone. The designated coastal zone extends seaward from the coastline out to
three miles and landward to 100 feet inland of specified roads and railroads. It includes all of Cape Cod,
Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Projects that do not exceed any thresholds for the preparation of an
Environmental Notification Form (ENF), in accordance with MEPA, can be assumed to be in compliance with
the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Plan.
Section 5 Programmatic Categorical Exclusion
Question 11 -The permanent acquisition of greater than minor amounts of right-of-way is defined as more
than 10 percent of a parcel under 10 acres in size, one acre for parcels 10 to 100 acres in size and
one percent of the parcel for parcels greater than 100 acres in size. The documentation for permanent
right-of-way takings should include a list that includes the name of the parcel owner, total parcel area, area of
the taking, and percentage of the total parcel area.
Question 12 - If the action does not involve the sale, transfer, or lease of state-owned land, the answer to
Question #I2 is "No". If the action is the sale, transfer, or lease of state-owned land then the intended future
use of the land must be determined. The impacts from the intended future use will be considered "substantial"
if they exceed the FHWA review thresholds for an Individual CE established in Questions 11, and 13 through
27.
Question 13 - The determination of adverse effect shall be made by the Massachusetts State Historic
Preservation Officer (MA Historical Commission), in coordination with MassHighway's Environmental Section
and FHWA.
Question 14 - Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority
Populations and Low-Income Po~ulafjons (E012898) requires Federal agencies to achieve environmental
justice by identifying and addressing disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental
effects, including the interrelated social and economic effects of their programs, policies, and activities on

minority populations and low-income populations in the United States. In response to EO 12898, FHWA has
established policies and procedures to achieve environmental justice.
Projects that otherwise qualify as Programmatic CEs are generally unlikely to be found to violate FHWA
environmental justice policies, i.e., have a disproportionately high and adverse impact on minority or
low-income populations. The types of projects that generally would not violate FHWAs Environmental Justice
polices include, but are not limited to:
> any project that qualifies as an Automatic CE;
> transportation enhancement projects;
> routine maintenance;
> footprint bridge replacement;
9 roadway resurfacing; and
> roadway reconstruction including widening less than travel lane.
However, determining whether a project has a disproportionately high and adverse impact on minority or
low-income populations requires a three-step process.
I. Determine if minority or low-income populations in the project area exceed the state mean average
of these populations. The source of this information is U.S. Census Block Data.
If these populations exist then continue below.
2. Analyze the future condition on the minority and low-income populations within the study area with
and without the proposed transportation project considering:
9 positive and negative impacts;
9 short- and long-term impacts;
> the magnitude and context of all project impacts, including a consideration of the public's
perception of the impacts.
3. Determine whether potential project impacts would disproportionately affect minority or low-income
populations in the project area.
Refer to the following definitions when considering environmental justice.
Minority Po~ulation - A minority population is a readily identifiable group of minority persons (Black, Hispanic,
Asian American, American Indian, or Alaskan Native) living in geographic proximity of each other.
Low-Income Population -A low-income population is a readily identifiable group of persons living in
geographic proximity of each other, whose median household income is at or below the
Department of Health and Human Service poverty guidelines.
Dis~ro~ortionatelv Hish Impact - An adverse impact is disproportionately high if it is predominately borne
by a minority andlor low-income population, or if the adverse impact that could be suffered by the minority
or low-income community is more severe or greater in magnitude than the adverse impact that could be
suffered by the non-minority or non-low-income community.
Question 15 -All Type I projects require a noise assessment. A Type I project involves the construction of a
highway on new location or the physical alteration of an existing highway that significantly changes either the
horizontal or vertical alignment or increases the number of through-traffic lanes.
Question 16 - Section 4(9 property, as defined in 49 USC Section 303, is publicly owned land of a public
park, recreation area, or wildlife or waterfowl refuge, or land of a historic site of National, State, or local
significance. A "use" of a Section 4(9 property occurs (1) when land from a Section 4(9 site is acquired for a
transportation project, (2) when there is an occupancy of land that is adverse in terms of the statute's
preservationist purposes, or (3) when the proximity impacts of the transportation project on the Section 4(9
site, without acquisition of land, are so great that the purposes for which the Section 4(9 site exists are
substantially impaired. The "use" of a Section 4(9 property requires the preparation of either an Individual or
Programmatic Section 4(9 Evaluation.

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Question 17 - Section 6(9 property refers to recreational areas acquired or improved by state and local
governments through grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The conversion of the
property acquired with Section 6(9 funding to a non-recreation purpose requires the preparation of an
Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation and the approval of the Department of the Interior's National Park Service.
LWCF properties are typically publicly-owned parks, recreation, or conservation land. If these types of
properties are to be acquired for the project, the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs' Division of
Conservation Services should be consulted to determine if LWCF funds have been used to acquire or
improve these properties.
Question 18 -A Section 404 permit is required from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for work involving a
discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. Jurisdiction under this law extends to
lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and mudflats. For highway projects, a Section 404 Programmatic General
Permit (PGP I or It) is required for any fill, up to one acre, into water of the U.S. An Individual Section 404
permit is required for projects with more substantial water resource impacts, such as fill exceeding one acre
or any fill in special aquatic sites. Special aquatic sites are defined in the 40 CFR Part 230 Section 404(b)(f)
Guidelines.
Question 19 - A Coast Guard permit is required to construct a new bridge or causeway or to reconstruct or
modify an existing bridge or causeway across navigable waters of the United States. For Coast Guard bridge
permitting purposes a navigable waterway is defined as (1) any waterway which is subject to the ebb and
flow of the tide or (2) any waterway which is presently used or is susceptible to use in its natural condition, or
by reasonable improvement, as a means to transport interstate or foreign commerce. In any case, a bridge or
causeway conveying watercraft less than 21 feet in length are not subject to Coast Guard jurisdiction. If the
preparer is uncertain whether or not a bridge is under Coast Guard jurisdiction, MassHighway's
Environmental Section should be contacted to coordinate Coast Guard consultation.
Coast Guard permits are required for the following projects:
> Construction of bridges crossing non-tidal waters not presently used as, or susceptible for use as, a
means of transporting interstate or foreign commerce.
> Removal of an existing bridge that will not be replaced for another bridge.
> Repair or replacement of worn or obsolete parts on an existing bridge.
Question 20 - The question shall be answered "no" if the total permanent wetland impact within the project
area is less then one-half acre (21,780 square feet) per linear mile.
Question 21 - The preparer should request a written response from the US. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
Massachusetts Natural Heritage Program as to the presence of federally-listed, threatened, or endangered
species in the project area.
Question 22 -Applicable National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) maps (such as a Flood Boundary and
Floodway Map (FBFM) or a Flood lnsurance Rate Map (FIRM)) should be used to determine encroachments
on the base floodplain or regulatory floodway. Appropriate hydraulic studies are required to determine if an
encroachment will adversely affect a regulatory floodway or the base floodplain elevations.
Question 23 - Rivers designated as components of the Natural System of Wild and Scenic Rivers include
portions of the Westfield River including portions of the West Branch from a railway bridge 2000 feet
downstream of the Becket Town Center to the HuntingtonlChester town line; the Middle Branch from the
Perurnorthington town line downstream to the confluence with Kinne Brook in Chester; Gendale Brook;
and the East Branch from the Windsorlcummington town line to the Knightville Reservoir.
Additionally, portions of the ConcordlAssabetlSudbury Rivers have been designated including the

Sudbury River beginning at the Danforth Street Bridge in the Town of Framingham, downstream to the
Route 2 Bridge in Concord. The Sudbury River from the Route 2 Bridge downstream to its confluence
with the Assabet River at Egg Rock. Also, the Assabet River beginning 1,000 feet downstream from the
Damon Mill Dam in the town of Concord, to its confluence with the Sudbury River at Egg Rock in Concord
and the Concord River from Egg Rock at the confluence of the Sudbury and Assabet Rivers downstream
to the Route 3 Bridge in the Town of Billerica.
Question 24 -Areas containing prime or unique farmland can be identified using Natural Resource
Conservation Service (NRCS) maps. NRCS maps can be viewed at most local libraries or regional
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Centers. Service Center locations can be found on the
USDA web site.
Question 25 -The Environmental Protection Agency publishes the National Priorities List (Superfund) for
Massachusetts on their web site.
Question 26 - Examples of projects involving changes in access control include:
9 Changing a segment of highway from partially or fully-controlled access to uncontrolled access.
9 Modification of an existing interchange by adding or relocating ramps.
9 Adding a new interchange to a highway.
9 Changing an at-grade intersection to a grade separation.
9 Changes in access control for non-highway purposes.
Question 27 - If the five listed conditions concerning a temporary road, detour or ramp do not occur, "no"
should be checked on the CE checklist.