BACKGROUND

The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act - MEPA - requires that state agencies study the environmental consequences of their actions, including permitting and financial assistance. It also requires them to take all feasible measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate damage to the environment.

MEPA further requires that state agencies "use all practicable means and measures to minimize damage to the environment," by studying alternatives to the proposed project, and developing enforceable mitigation commitments, which will become permit conditions for the project if and when it is permitted. MEPA applies to projects above a certain size that involve some state agency action. That is, they are either proposed by a state agency or are proposed by municipal, nonprofit or private parties and require a permit, financial assistance, or land transfer from state agencies.

MEPA review is not a permitting process. MEPA requires public study, disclosure, and development of feasible mitigation for a proposed project. It does not pass judgment on whether a project is environmentally beneficial, or whether a project can or should receive a particular permit. Those decisions are left to the permitting agencies. MEPA review occurs before permitting agencies act, to ensure that they know the environmental consequences of their actions.

If a Project is subject to MEPA jurisdiction and either it meets or exceeds one or more review thresholds or the Secretary requires fail-safe review, the Proponent begins MEPA review by preparing and filing an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) with the Secretary. The Secretary publishes the appropriate pages of the ENF in the next Environmental Monitor. A 30-Day review period follows, during the first 20 Days of which Agencies, Persons, the MEPA Office (which ordinarily conducts a site visit and public consultation session), and the Secretary review and comment on the ENF. At the close of the review period for an ENF, the Secretary decides whether to require an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). If the Secretary does not require an EIR, an Agency may take Agency Action on the Project (see 301 CMR 11.05 and 11.06).

ENF data are entered on a bi-weekly basis into an Oracle database, and stored in a series of approximately two-dozen interrelated tables. Starting in the 4th quarter of 2005, these data are now being processed and converted into point locations to be used in GIS. GIS data for MEPA is currently updated and published on a quarterly basis. The naming convention used for the files reflects this (i.e. MEPA06_Q1 represents all the ENF projects from the 1st quarter of the 2006 calendar year). Currently MassGIS distributes the following point layers:

MEPA05_Q4

MEPA06_Q1 MEPA06_Q2 MEPA06_Q3 MEPA06_Q4

MEPA07_Q1 MEPA07_Q2 MEPA07_Q3 MEPA07_Q4

MEPA08_Q1 MEPA08_Q2

MassGIS, with the assistance of MEPA staff, has identified the information considered most useful to the public and EOEA. The following is a list of the selected attributes extracted for the creation of a GIS datalayer:

REG_OBJ_ID		Unique internal database identifier. Not used for external reference purposes.
EOEA_ID		Unique ID assigned sequentially by MEPA staff for reference purposes.
PROJECT		Unofficial project name assigned by developer/consultant.
LOCATION		General location of the project. Usually a street address, if known.
TOWN		The town(s) the project location exists in.
PROJ_TYPE		A 4 to 6 character code that generally describes the type of project proposed. A single project may be categorized as several types, if appropriate. Currently, 93 categories exist. (see Data Dictionary below)
SUPERGROUP		An aggregation of the 93 PROJ_TYPE categories into 10 “supergroups”, representative of a more generalized project type description. (see Data Dictionary below)
NUM_SUPGRP		The number of supergroups a given project belongs to.
THRESHOLDS		Contains descriptive text that defines which ENF review threshold(s)/criteria have been met or exceeded as to require the ENF. (see 301 CMR 11.03)
WATERSHED		Specifies which of the 35 major watersheds the proposed project exists within.
LAT		The reported geographic latitude of the project site location, in decimal degrees.
LONG_		The reported geographic longitude of the project site location, in decimal degrees.
DATE_		The date of the Environmental Monitor publication that the ENF project is included in the format of the date value is MMDDYY.
URL		The web address for a scanned PDF version of the ENF form submitted for the given project, hosted on the MEPA website, if available.
SITE_ACRES		Total project site acreage.
LAND_ALTER		New acres of land altered by the project.
IMPERV_X		Existing impervious surface area on project site. (acres)
IMPERV_C		Proposed change in project site impervious surface area. (acres)
IMPERV_T		New total impervious surface area on site. (acres)
BRDR_WTLND		Area of new bordering vegetated wetlands alteration. (sq. ft.)
OTHR_WTLND		Area of new other wetland alteration. (sq. ft.)
NONH2O_USE		Area of new non-water dependent use of tidelands or waterways. (acres)
BLDGX_SQFT		Gross square footage of existing structures on site.
BLDGC_SQFT		Gross square footage of proposed new structures (or elimination of structures) on site.
BLDGT_SQFT		Gross square footage of total structures on site upon project completion.
NUM_UNIT_X		Number of existing housing units on site.
NUM_UNIT_C		Number of new housing units (or elimination of housing units) proposed by project.
NUM_UNIT_T		Number of total housing units on site upon project completion.
BLDGX_MXHT		Maximum height of existing structures. (feet)
BLDGC_MXHT		Maximum height of proposed structures. (feet)
BLDGT_MXHT		Maximum height of all structures upon completion of project. (feet)
TRIP_DAY_X		Existing vehicle trips per day to/from project site.
TRIP_DAY_C		Expected change in number of vehicle trips per day to/from project site.
TRIP_DAY_T		Total vehicle trips per day to/from site upon project completion.
PARK_SPC_X		Existing parking spaces at project site.
PARK_SPC_C		Proposed change to the number of parking spaces at project site.
PARK_SPC_T		Total number of parking spaces at site upon completion of project.
USE_H2O_X		Existing water use. (Gal./Day)
USE_H2O_C		Proposed change in water use. (Gal./Day)
USE_H2O_T		Total water use upon completion of project. (Gal./Day)
DRAW_H2O_X		Existing water withdrawal. (Gal./Day)
DRAW_H2O_C		Proposed change in water withdrawal. (Gal./Day)
DRAW_H2O_T		Total water withdrawal upon completion of project. (Gal./Day)
WASTE_H2O_X		Existing wastewater generation/treatment. (Gal./Day)
WASTE_H2O_C		Proposed change in wastewater generation/treatment. (Gal./Day)
WASTE_H2O_T		Total wastewater generation/treatment upon completion of project. (Gal./Day)
PIPELNGTHX		Existing length of water/sewer mains. (Miles)
PIPELNGTHC		Proposed change in length of water/sewer mains. (Miles)
PIPELNGTHT		Total length of water/sewer mains upon completion of project. (Miles)

Note:  When pipe length values are reported separately for water mains and sewer mains, only the sewer main information is input into the database, as sewer main extensions are a MEPA threshold, and water pipe extensions are not.

After an in-house effort to check for consistency and numerical conversion errors, the project coordinates are converted into point locations and stored in an ArcSDE database. Other attributes are spot-checked, but most of the reported information remains untouched. When value ranges or multiple values are submitted for certain fields instead of single values, a case-by-case determination is made to record either the minimum, maximum, or average value, depending on the context and impact.  In some cases, this may result in seemingly obvious inequities  (i.e. existing values + proposed change values not equaling the expected total value). But at this time, MassGIS is following a policy of reporting submitted information “as is” whenever possible, and not performing corrections in the MEPA database. It is always best to consult the scanned ENF forms made available online to determine the most accurate information.

PROJ_TYPE		DESCRIPTION		SUPERGROUP
401WAT		401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
AGRIC		AGRICULTURAL		STATE LAND/FUNDING/OTHER
AIRPRT		AIRPORT		COMMERCIAL
AIRSER		AIR SERVICES		COMMERCIAL
ART80		BRA ARTICLE 80 REVIEW		STATE LAND/FUNDING/OTHER
BKPTH		BICYCLE PATH		RECREATION
BKSTAB		BANK STABILIZATION		COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
BLDADD		BUILDING ADDITION		HOUSING
BLDDEM		BUILDING DEMOLITION		COMMERCIAL
BRIDGE		BRIDGES		TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
BROWN		BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT		ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION/CLEAN-UP
BULKPR		BULKHEADS/PIERS		COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
CARWSH		CAR WASH		COMMERCIAL
CEMETA		CEMETARY		INSTITUTIONAL
CH91LC		CHAPTER 91 LICENSE		COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
COGENR		COGENERATION		ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
COGRWT		CONTAMINATED GROUND WATER		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
COLLEG		COLLEGE		INSTITUTIONAL
COMPOS		COMPOSTING		ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION/CLEAN-UP
COSALT		COASTAL ALTERATION		COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
COURT		COURT HOUSE		INSTITUTIONAL
CSTARM		COASTAL ARMORING		COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
CSTSTR		COASTAL STRUCTURES		COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
CSTWAT		COASTAL WATER		COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
DAMS		DAMS		COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
DISRET		DISCOUNT RETAIL		COMMERCIAL
DRAIMP		DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
DREDGE		DREDGING		COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
EFFOTF		EFFLUENT OUTFALL		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
FOREST		FOREST		ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION/CLEAN-UP
GARAGE		GARAGE-PARKING		COMMERCIAL
GASCON		GAS/CONV.STORE		COMMERCIAL
GASLIN		GAS PIPELINE		ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
GASSTA		GAS STATION		ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
GOLF		GOLF COURSE		RECREATION
HOSPTL		HOSPITAL		INSTITUTIONAL
HOTEL		HOTEL		COMMERCIAL
HZDMAT		HAZARDOUS MATERIALS		ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION/CLEAN-UP
HZDWST		HAZARDOUS WASTE		ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION/CLEAN-UP
INCINR		INCINERATOR		COMMERCIAL
INDFCL		INDUSTRIAL FACILITY		COMMERCIAL
INDPRK		INDUSTRIAL PARK		COMMERCIAL
INSTIT		INSTITUTIONAL-OTHER		INSTITUTIONAL
LANDFL		LANDFILL		ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION/CLEAN-UP
LKSPDS		LAKES/PONDS/RIVERS		COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
MARINA		MARINA		COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
MARSH		MARSH RESTORATION		COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
MISC		MISCELLANOUS		STATE LAND/FUNDING/OTHER
MIXUSE		MIXED USE		COMMERCIAL
MOVITH		MOVIE THEATER		COMMERCIAL
NURHOM		NURSING HOME		INSTITUTIONAL
OFFICE		OFFICE		COMMERCIAL
ORDERC		ORDER OF CONDITIONS		STATE LAND/FUNDING/OTHER
PARK		PARK		RECREATION
POLCON		POLLUTION CONTROL		ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION/CLEAN-UP
POSTOF		POST OFFICE		INSTITUTIONAL
PRISON		PRISON		INSTITUTIONAL
PRKLOT		PARKING - OTHER/LOT		TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
PWRPLT		POWER PLANT		ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
RAILRD		RAILROAD		TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
RECRTN		RECREATION		RECREATION
RECYCL		RECYCLING		ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION/CLEAN-UP
REDEV		REDEVELOPMENT		COMMERCIAL
REGS		REGULATIONS		STATE LAND/FUNDING/OTHER
RESDEV		RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT		COMMERCIAL
RESIDN		RESIDENTIAL		HOUSING
RESREC		RESOURCE RECOVERY		ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION/CLEAN-UP
RESTRT		RESTAURANT		COMMERCIAL
RETAIL		RETAIL		COMMERCIAL
ROADS		ROADS		TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
SCHOOL		SCHOOL		INSTITUTIONAL
SEWRGE		SEWERAGE		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
SEWTRT		SEWAGE TREATMENT		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
SLDWST		SOLID WASTE-OTHER		ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION/CLEAN-UP
SLGFAC		SLUDGE/RESID FACIL		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
STFNDS		STATE FUNDING		STATE LAND/FUNDING/OTHER
STLAND		STATE LAND		STATE LAND/FUNDING/OTHER
STORAG		STORAGE - OIL - GAS - OTHER		ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
SUPER		SUPERSEDING ORDER OF CONDITIONS		STATE LAND/FUNDING/OTHER
TRANOT		TRANSIT-OTHER		TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
TRANRL		TRANSIT-RAIL		TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
TRANSF		TRANSFER-STATE LAND		ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION/CLEAN-UP
TRANSM		TRANSMISSION		ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
TRNSTA		TRANSFER STATION		COMMERCIAL
UTILTY		UTILITY-OTHER		ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
WAMANG		WATER MANAGEMENT ACT PERMIT		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
WARHSE		WAREHOUSE FACILITY		COMMERCIAL
WASTWT		WASTEWATER		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
WATDIS		WATER - DISCHARGE		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
WATPLT		WATER DIST/FLT PLANT		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
WATSUP		WATER SUPPLY		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
WATWTD		WATER WITHDRAWAL		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
WELL		WELL		WATER/WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE

MEPA homepage -- http://www.mass.gov/envir/mepa/index.htm
The Environmental Monitor --http://www.mass.gov/envir/mepa/secondlevelpages/currentissue.htm
ENF Form Downloads -- http://www.mass.gov/envir/mepa/thirdlevelpages/downloads.htm
ENF Archives -- http://www.mass.gov/envir/mepa/thirdlevelpages/monitorarchives/archivespage.htm

For questions about the geographic and technical components of this dataset, please contact Dan Marrier at daniel.marrier@state.ma.us, with an email subject heading of: “MEPA data question”.

All other questions should be directed to Anne Canaday of MEPA at anne.canaday@state.ma.us.

Last Updated 7/11/2008
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