Wetlands Permitting for Emergency Utility Pole Replacement
North River Marsh, Marshfield, MA
Problem:
In spring of 2017, ES&M was contracted by a large utility provider to perform wetland permitting and oversight during the emergency replacement of 13 utility poles in Marshfield, MA. Nine of the poles are in the highly sensitive North River marsh and the other four are in wetland jurisdictional areas associated with the marsh. The utility poles carry telephone and power lines. During routine service on the lines, many of the poles were found to be in seriously deteriorated condition with rotting bases and tilting at significant angles that it prevented linemen from performing their work safely.
Solution:
ES&M obtained an Emergency Certification from the Town of Marshfield to replace the poles in the marsh. Due to the sensitivity of the marsh, the project was required to be completed within 30 days. ES&M also obtained a Chapter 404 Army Corps of Engineers permit and notified up to 20 agencies and organizations of the work. ES&M also performed close monitoring of the work and provided the Marshfield Conservation Commission with daily reports including pictures of the progress of work. Other services included issuance of a Minor Deviation of the permit for replacement of the four poles in the marsh buffer areas as well as communication with local residents. The work resulted in successful completion of the pole replacement with minimal impact to the marsh.
In spring of 2017, ES&M was contracted by a large utility provider to perform wetland permitting and oversight during the emergency replacement of 13 utility poles in Marshfield, MA. Nine of the poles are in the highly sensitive North River marsh and the other four are in wetland jurisdictional areas associated with the marsh. The utility poles carry telephone and power lines. During routine service on the lines, many of the poles were found to be in seriously deteriorated condition with rotting bases and tilting at significant angles that it prevented linemen from performing their work safely.
Solution:
ES&M obtained an Emergency Certification from the Town of Marshfield to replace the poles in the marsh. Due to the sensitivity of the marsh, the project was required to be completed within 30 days. ES&M also obtained a Chapter 404 Army Corps of Engineers permit and notified up to 20 agencies and organizations of the work. ES&M also performed close monitoring of the work and provided the Marshfield Conservation Commission with daily reports including pictures of the progress of work. Other services included issuance of a Minor Deviation of the permit for replacement of the four poles in the marsh buffer areas as well as communication with local residents. The work resulted in successful completion of the pole replacement with minimal impact to the marsh.