International and Individual State Environmental Impact Analysis Programs - Environmental Impact Analysis: Process and Methods - page 328

TABLE 8.4
Examples of Massachusetts Environmental Analysis Thresholds

Category ENF and Secretary Review ENF and Mandatory EIR

Land Direct alteration of 20 or more hectares

Creation of 4 or more hectares of
impervious area

Direct alteration of 10 or more hectares
Creation of 2 or more hectares of impervious area
Conversion of land held for natural resources purposes
Conversion of existing agricultural land to nonagricultural land
Release of interest in conservation, preservation, agricultural or watershed
preservation purposes
Approval of new urban redevelopment projects

State-listed
species

None Alteration of designated signiicant habitat

Disturbance of 2 acres of priority habitat

Wetlands,
waterways,
and tidelands

Alteration of 1 or more acres of salt marsh or
bordering vegetated wetlands; or 10 or more
acres of any other wetland type
Variance of Wetlands Protection Act
requirement
Construction of a new dam
Structural alteration or expansion of
an existing dam
Issuance of Chapter 91 License for non-water
dependent use of tidal lands greater than 1 acre

Provide a permit for major actions in jurisdictional areas
New infrastructure to barrier beach
Dredging of more than 10,000 m 3
Disposal of more than 10,000 m 3 of dredged material
Issuance of Chapter 91 License for non-water dependent use of tidal lands
less than 1 acre
Construct or reconstruct a solid-ill structure of 1000 or more square feet

Water Withdraw more than 2,500,000 gallons per day of

surface water
Withdraw more than 1,500,000 gallons per day of
groundwater
Construct new water main 10 miles or longer
Provide water across a municipal boundary
(except in emergency)

Withdraw more than 100,000 gallons per day requiring new construction
Withdraw more than 500,000 gallons per day without new construction
Construct new water main 5 miles or longer
Construct or expand a drinking water treatment plant of
1,000,000 gallons a day or more
Variance of Watershed Protection Act
Non-bridge forest-harvesting stream crossing 1000 or less feet upstream
of public drinking water supply