Public comment period for SSTTDC's ENF extended

Public comment period for SSTTDC's ENF extended

The public comment period for the SSTTDC's ENF has been extended until September 8, 2000. This is good news. Theoretically the more time we have, the more people will write to the EOEA (Executive Office of Environmental Affairs) about the SSTTDC's ENF. The more people that are heard from, the more information the EOEA will have to put together their EIR (Environmental Impact Report).

You don't have to be a scientist, a VIP, or an expert on anything to comment on the ENF. If you are concerned about the effects of the proposed base redevelopment, you are qualified, and entitled to express your opinions. "The whole purpose of the public comment period is for people to provide the secretary (of the EOEA) with their issues of concern," says Seth Kaplan of the Conservation Law Foundation.

Your comments can be very detailed or very general depending on your level of knowledge, experience, how much time you have to spend writing your letter, or whatever. The important thing is that EVERYONE SHOULD WRITE.

You MUST address your letter to a certain address. That address is:

Secretary of Environmental Affairs
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
ATTENTION: MEPA Office
Dick Foster EOEA 11085R
251 Causeway Street Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114

(see: http://www.magnet.state.ma.us/mepa/em-homep.htm#sub )

You MUST reference the CASE NUMBER for the SSTTDC's ENF. The case number is:

EOEA 11085R

If you don't reference the case number or don't send your letter to the proper address, your comments may not be read and counted.

WHAT SHOULD YOU WRITE?
If you have a copy of the ENF and you have time to go through it, write comments on what you read. If you have a copy of the ENF and you feel there's no way you can read it or understand it, that is OK. If you DON'T have a copy, that is OK too. Pretty much anything that worries you about the base redevelopment is probably mentioned in the ENF and is fair game for comment if it has some relation to the quality of life in our area. Some general areas of concern are:

traffic impacts
preserving open space
ridiculously huge and expensive roadbuilding project which will go through wetland areas and neighborhoods
neighborhood impacts of the project
negative impacts on area water supplies and infrastructure in general
possible existence of and potential destruction of vernal pools and protected species on the base
pollution concerns - noise pollution, light pollution, air pollution, pesticide contamination from golf course
sprawl
we want NO SPECIAL CUSTOMIZED TIMETABLES, NO SPECIAL REVIEW PROCEDURE,NO LENIENCY to be given to the SSTTDC for their project - because of its size and scope, the project should be subjected to the most rigorous inspection and review - we demand that a FULL and THOROUGH EIR be done
all the figures supplied by the SSTTDC in the ENF should be checked for accuracy because the figures have been compiled by parties who have a vested interest in seeing the project come to full fruition according to THEIR agenda and THEIR plans and so on.

IF you are still uncertain what to say, attend the MEPA Consultation Meeting that is being held at the Bowling Alley at the base on Tuesday, August 22, at 7pm. This consultation meeting is being held to receive advice and comment from agencies, officials, and citizens regarding significant environmental issues relating to the base redevelopment project. Attending the meeting is NOT a substitute for written comment, it's just another way to make your voice heard and show your concern. You might get ideas for what to say in your comment letter and there would still be time to get it in before the September 8 deadline.

Everyone should try to attend the MEPA Consultation Meeting. Mark your calendars!

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

COMPARE (Citizens Opposing the Megamall and Proposed Access Road Extension)
Box 890024 Weymouth, MA 02189
[email protected]

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