point cover jan 13 - Boston Redevelopment Authority

\\MABOS\projects\11381.00\reports\Article80\
Expanded_PNF\04_Environmental_FINAL.do
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Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
The Point, Boston
Height is also an important factor in collision avoidance. The Project is well below the primary migration
zone for all sizes of birds, which varies between 300 and 2,000 feet. The major zone for potential collision at
this building is, therefore, below 60 feet. The Project’s two retail floors are setback to the residential tower
within the first 60 feet of building height. This break greatly mitigates the potential for collision at the upper
range of this 60ft zone. Below this break, less reflective glass will be used, further ensuring bird safety at this
lower range of this zone. In addition, retail awnings and signage inherently help alert passing birds to
potential collision.
Air Quality
This section presents an overview of the results for the air quality assessment conducted for the Project. The
purpose of the air quality assessment is to demonstrate that the Project satisfies applicable local, state, and
federal air quality requirements. Specifically, the air quality assessment for the Project includes a localized
(microscale, or “hot spot”) study that evaluates the Project-related concentrations (from vehicles traveling
through congested intersections in the project area) of carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM2.5
and PM10) at sensitive receptor locations.
Summary of Key Findings
The Project Site is located in the Boston Metropolitan area, which has been classified as a “Maintenance” area
for CO and an attainment area for PM10 and PM2.5. The microscale (“hot spot”) air quality analysis
demonstrates that the Project will meet and is well below the Massachusetts DEP criteria and National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for CO, PM10, and PM2.5. The Project will incorporate reasonable
and feasible mitigation measures, including a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan, as
presented in Chapter 3, Transportation to reduce vehicle emissions. Appendix E includes the support
documentation for the air quality analyses. Regarding new heating boilers and emergency generators, the
Proponent will apply for any DEP air permits, as required by DEP regulations under 310 CMR 7.00.
Background
The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) and the Massachusetts State Implementation Plan (SIP) require
that proposed projects not cause any new violation of the NAAQS for pollutants of concern, or increase the
frequency or severity of any existing violations, or delay attainment of any NAAQS. The air quality study
includes a hotspot (microscale) evaluation of mobile source pollutants. The microscale analysis evaluated CO,
PM10, and PM2.5 concentrations from roadways and intersections.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) have established guidance for modeling and review for air quality analysis prepared pursuant to the
Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) process. The City of Boston requires that air quality
analyses prepared for PNFs meet the EPA and DEP guidelines.
4-15 Environmental Protection