Under the Act, any project that contains an EJ Population (in whole or in part) within the “Designated Geographic Area” (DGA) of the project site is required to submit an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in accordance with 301 CMR 11.06(7)(b). In most cases, the DGA will encompass a 1-mile radius of the project site. However, if the project is anticipated to exceed MEPA review thresholds at 301 CMR 11.03(8)(a)-(b) or generate 150 or more New adt of diesel vehicle traffic over a duration of 1 year or more, excluding public transit trips, then the DGA will encompass a 5-mile radius of the project site. The DGA should be drawn from the outermost limits of work.
As with other mandatory EIR projects, the MEPA review process typically begins with the filing of an Environmental Notification Form (ENF), which is reviewed over a 30-day period that includes a 20-day public comment period. The Secretary would then issue a Scope for a Draft EIR, and subsequently, a Final EIR, each of which is reviewed over a 37-day period that includes a 30-day public comment period. With the exception of the Final EIR, comment periods may be extended upon consent of the Proponent or on account of the Proponent’s failure to meet circulation or public notice requirements. In total, the typical MEPA review process involves at least three steps (ENF, Draft EIR, and Final EIR).
Projects required to submit an EIR under 301 CMR 11.06(7)(b) may request that MEPA review of the project be expedited (shortened) from the typical 3-step review process described above. Specifically, the project may request that the Secretary allow a Single EIR under 301 CMR 11.06(8) or a “Rollover” EIR under 301 CMR 11.06(13), as further described below. However, these projects are not eligible to seek a Full Waiver from the requirement to file an EIR. Projects seeking expedited treatment must submit an Expanded ENF (EENF) in lieu of the normal ENF, and must provide advance notification of the project as explained in the Advance Notification section below.
If a Single EIR is requested, the initial MEPA filing must contain, in addition to the EENF and other required content, a baseline assessment of existing conditions within the identified EJ populations, in accordance with 301 CMR 11.07(6)(n)1. The methodology for performing the baseline assessment is described in Part II of the MEPA Interim Protocol for Analysis of Project Impacts.
If a Rollover EIR is requested, the initial MEPA filing must contain, in addition to the EENF and other required content, both the baseline assessment and an assessment of project impacts on EJ populations in accordance with 301 CMR 11.07(6)(n)1.-4., and must demonstrate that the project will not materially exacerbate any existing unfair or inequitable Environmental Burden and related public health consequences impacting an EJ population, and will not result in a disproportionate adverse effect or increased climate change effects on an EJ population. The methodology for performing this assessment is described in Parts II-IV of the MEPA Interim Protocol for Analysis of Project Impacts. If requesting a Rollover EIR, the EENF must be accompanied by a Proposed EIR, which must be submitted to the MEPA Office as a separate and stand-alone document.
The DPH EJ Tool and US EPA EJ Screen, which are referenced in the MEPA Interim Protocol for Analysis of Project Impacts on Environmental Justice Populations, are publicly available mapping tools that serve as resources in conducting the baseline assessment of existing conditions within identified EJ populations.