43 acre deforestation/wetland alteraiton for solar - Rochester MA going ahead
Coordinator
Other site improvements include the construction of stormwater management systems, and a
4,800 square foot (sf) wetland replication area, due to unavoidable impacts resulting from the
construction of the access drive from Mayflower Lane. In addition, the project proposes setting asideEEA# 17043 ENF Certificate April 10, 2026
2
94.4 acres (41.5% of the 227.3-acre property) of undeveloped, forested land as open space to be
protected under a Conservation Restriction (CR) conveyed to a local conservation organization.1 The CR
area is anticipated to serve as mitigation for an unavoidable “Take” of state-listed rare species, as
described further below.
According to the ENF, the primary goal of the project is to construct a solar energy facility that
will generate a renewable source of electricity. The ENF states that the project also supports the
underlying landowner’s goal to develop the property for alternative site uses. The Proponent also
indicates that the project will not participate in the SMART program and, therefore, has not been
designed to meet the SMART land use and siting criteria,2 including avoidance of “Core Habitat.”3
Project Site
The project site encompasses approximately 43.8 acres of a larger 227.3-acre property, and
consists of two separate sites (Site A and Site B). The overall property consists of undeveloped forested
uplands and wetlands, with the exception of an electric utility transmission line and related easement
that bisect the property in a northeast to southwest direction. Site A (approximately 23.5 acres) is located
in the southern portion of the property southeast of the utility easement, and is accessible from High
Street. Site B (approximately 20.3 acres) is located in the northwestern portion of the property northwest
of the distribution right-of-way, and is accessible from Mayflower Lane. The property is located within
the Town of Rochester (the Town)’s Agricultural-Residential (RE/AG) Zoning District. The property is
bounded by residential development to the nor
To preserve, protect and steward the land and water resources of Southeastern Massachusetts. We are losing them fast.
Janet Sinclair
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