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Home My WebLink About20060721 compliance letter from EPA„e,0 aq a UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION i 1 CONGRESS STREET, SUITE 110o Amy BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02114-2023 t parn July 21, 2006 Ms. Kathryn S. Bamicle, PWS ENSR 95 State Road Sagamore Beach, MA 02562-2415 Dear Ms. Bamicle: Thank you for your letter report of July 14” regarding the completion of the Cape Cod Hospital restoration work in Yarmouth, Massachusetts. My review of your report and accompanying photographs indicates that the final work on the bog outlets have been completed, as required, in addition to actions taken to prevent any detrimental muskrat activity at the outlets. Based on the information in your letter, it appears that the Cape Cod Hospital has satisfactorily completed the restoration work per EPA Administrative Order #97-027. Thank you for your assistance in the resolution of this matter. Sinc 2"'S-'e'L'onard Wetlands Enforcement Coordinator EPA New England ifc% Terrence Whittemore, Cape Cod Hospital Brad Hall, Yarmouth Conservation Agent Liz Kouleheras, DEP-SE Region Toll Free • 1 888-372-7341 Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.9ovMa9ionl RacychaVRiecyclable. Printed with Va ,atable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper[Minimum 30%Poslconsureed ENSRIAECOM ENSR 95 State Road, Sagamore Beach, MA 02562-2415 T 508.8e8.3900 F508.888.6689 w ensreecomxom July 14, 2006 Ms. Denise Leonard US EPA Region 1 1 Congress Street Suite 1100 - Mail Code SEE Boston, MA 02114-2023 Re: Final Report Cranberry Bog Restoration Project Cape Cod Hospital Bogs Yarmouth, Massachusetts Dear Ms. Leonard: GI:3lr.YSr}7.7 On behalf of the Cape Cod Hospital, ENSR is requesting certification of compliance that the work performed over the years at the Cape Cod Hospital bogs in Yarmouth, Massachusetts has been performed in accordance with the agreement between the Cape Cod Hospital and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in regard to enforcement action taken in 1996. This letter report describes the final work performed at the Cape Cod Hospital cranberry bogs which involved the construction of permanent water control structures at locations A2, B1, and Ct in order to maintain the hydrology of the restored wetlands within the bogs. Photographs of each of these three outlets and the main outlet (El) are included with this report. On June 22, 2006, a site inspection was held to review the final work at the Cape Cod Hospital cranberry bogs attended by Kathryn S. Bamicle, PWS, senior wetland scientist with ENSR; Terry Whittemore, Cape Cod Hospital representative; Brad Hall, Yarmouth Conservation Agent; Dan Ojala, engineer with Down Cape Engineering; and Dave Stochetti and Duane Lopes of Stochetti Construction who performed the recent outlet work. In order to maintain the hydrology of the restored wetlands, three of the bog outlets were sealed off with the use of aluminum sheeting (weir plates) and traprock. The top of the aluminum plates were set at elevations appropriate to allow for elevated surface and ground water elevations based on the results of the five year monitoring program performed by ENSR and documented in annual reports submitted to the EPA by ENSR for five years between 1998 and 2002 and also outlined in additional letter reports in subsequent years. The final elevations of the outlets were identified in a joint effort between ENSR and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). We would like to extend our thanks to the NRCS for their involvement with this project. The original proposal for restoring the wetlands was provided to the EPA in a report entitled "Welland Restoration Plan" prepared by ENSR in 1997. Traprock was placed on the upstream and downstream (if appropriate) sides of the three outlets to reduce the potential for digging of burrows and underground tunnels by muskrats which can cause the undermining of cranberry bog dikes and dams. All areas where work had been perforrned were stable with no evidence of erosion or sedimentation. On June 5 and 6, 2006, Cape Cod experienced approximately five inches of rainfall within a 48 hour period. Following this rainfall, the Yarmouth Conservation Commission and the Cape Cod Hospital received complaints of Flooding in basements in the neighborhood near the bogs. Many attributed this flooding to be due to the recent work performed at the bog outlets. The Cape Cod Hospital contracted with Down Cape ENSR AECOM Ms. Denise Leonard Page 2 Engineering to inspect two homes located at 25 Park Street and 36 Park Avenue in West Yarmouth (to the south of the bogs) to determine it the bog work resulted in the recent flooding. In both instances, Down Cape Engineering determined that the flooding had no relation to the bog work but was due to the recent excessive rainfall amounts. If interested, we can supply the EPA with copies of these reports. ENSR will be presenting this project to the Yarmouth Conservation Commission in an effort to obtain a Certificate of Compliance for the work performed. At this time, we are requesting final confirmation from the EPA that the work performed is in compliance with the agreement between the Cape Cod Hospital and the EPA. It is the opinion of ENSR that all work performed since 1997 has been in compliance with the agreement and with the 1997 "Wetland Restoration Plan" prepared by ENSR as outlined in the annual monitoring reports. The result is the successful restoration of approximately 18.5 acres of wetlands. We would like to extend our thanks to the NRCS for their involvement with this project over the years. Please do not hesitate to call myself should you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Very truly yours, ENSR /r)V Ba�rA Kathryn S. Bamicte, PWS Senior Wettand Scientist Encls. Cc: Terrance Whittemore, CCH Brad Hall, Yarmouth Conservation Agent Dave Stochetti, Stochettii Construction Liz Koulehems, DEP - SE Region Steve Spear, NRCS ivv' Vol, O zr - � W - r tt* I MWy %� ~ �- /� � -- \ c J AP Outlet Reconstruction BOG C, OUTLET C1 JUNE 22, 2006 Outlet Ct from above ENSRIAECOM Bog C from outlet C7 0 4AW