Scholarship Information < Archived News:
UCANE E-News
August 18, 2009
Submitted by Michael Galli
Legislative Liaison
REVISED: Final CY2009 CWSRF & DWSRF IUP’s
The MassDEP, Division of Municipal Services, has published the Revised Final CY2009 Intended Use Plan (IUP) for the Drinking Water (DWSRF) and Clean Water (CWSRF) State Revolving Loan Fund program. Copies of each IUP can be accessed via: www.mass.gov/dep/water/wastewater/wastewat.htm#srf.
The purpose of the SRF program is to assist communities in implementing the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act. The IUP’s for each program list those projects that MassDEP will finance through the Mass. Water Pollution Abatement Trust in 2009. Consideration of smart growth, as well as green and/or energy efficient and alternative energy project components, was incorporated into the 2009 selection process.
The Final CWSRF & DWSRF IUP lists will be included in the September 2009 edition of Construction Outlook Magazine. Several projects were dropped and many Green Infrastructure projects were added to the lists. The revised totals are as follows:
| Revised CY2009 CWSRF IUP - $723,568,636 | Previous CY2009 CWSRF IUP - $744,194,195 |
| Revised CY2009 DWSRF IUP - $242,755,906 | Previous CY2009 DWSRF IUP - $$241,839,305 |
UCANE Meeting With MWRA COO Michael Hornbrook
UCANE members met with MWRA Chief Operating Officer, Mike Hornbrook, to discuss Construction Zone Safety Plan (CZSP) issues on MWRA water and/or sewer projects in Massachusetts. As stated in the Regulation, when the MWRA is the Awarding Authority, they are responsible for creating their own CZSP. The CZSP must contain the number of Flaggers, Police Details, signage etc., which will be needed on a jobsite. The MWRA feels that their CZSP is structured and is the most effective model. However, changes will be made to the CZSP if the MWRA believes it is necessary. The Regulation also requires the MWRA to consult with the local police prior to the job going to bid to discuss recommendations for the site re: construction zone safety.
On all MWRA projects, the Authorized Representative will be Charles Button or the Construction Coordinator assigned to the specific job; never a City, Town or Engineer. In the event the Police arrive at a jobsite and request additional Police Details, the contractor should direct them to the MWRA Authorized Representative, because only they can make that final decision.
UCANE members expressed their concern that if there are additional Police Details or Flaggers on the jobsite, and MWRA authorizes them, will they be paid for “hours worked”. Mr. Hornbrook made it clear that any deviation from the CZSP that involves additional Police Details/Flaggers will be paid on a change order basis.
REVISED: Buy American Nationwide De Minimis Waiver
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted a nationwide waiver that somewhat reduces the “Buy American” requirements for water projects, as originally specified in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The waiver is for “de minimis” incidental components of eligible water infrastructure projects funded by ARRA.
The action revises the terms under which incidental components qualify for coverage under the Public Interest De Minimis Waiver, and permits the use of non-domestic iron, steel, and manufactured goods, such as pipe, tanks, pumps, motors, instrumentation and control equipment, and relevant materials to build structures for such facilities such as treatment plants, pumping stations, pipe networks, etc.
Please refer to the official version in the August 10, 2009 Federal Register publication located at www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WATER/2009/August/Day-10/w19069.pdf.
REVISED DRAFT: $2.4B Regional Transportation Plan
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (BRMPO) signed off on a DRAFT of a $2.4B Regional Transportation Plan that prioritizes large expansion projects through 2030. The 20-year transportation outline adds a major road project in Belmont, excludes one in Concord, and keeps many on course, including long-awaited overhauls in Framingham, Needham and Newton.
The blueprint outlines the amount of federal and state funds which are expected to be available through 2030 to pay for major highway projects in the 101 communities covered by the BRMPO.
The federal government provides 80 percent of the funding, and the state covers the balance. State transportation officials allocate the funds based on priorities set in the regional transportation plan, according to Eric Bourassa, Transportation Manager for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
Excluded were the $30M Interstate 495-Interstate 290-Route 85 connector interchange in Marlborough and Hudson, and the $43M redesign of the Route 2 rotary in Concord.
New to the plan is the $15.8M reconstruction of Trapelo Road in Belmont and funding for two recreational routes - the Assabet River Rail Trail and the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.
Additional information and the Draft List for Target Highway Projects for FYs 2010 - 2013 THP can be found by visiting www.bostonmpo.org
Patrick Administration Releases South Coast Rail Corridor Plan
On Wednesday, August 5, 2009, Governor Patrick released the South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan. The plan estimates the South Coast Rail project will stimulate nearly $500M in new economic activity, and will raise household income by more than $150M, while creating thousands of new jobs. The plan makes a direct connection between maintaining the region’s natural assets and economic development.
Under the plan, commuter rail service to the South Coast, linking Fall River and New Bedford to Boston, would create between 3,500 and 3,800 new jobs by 2030, with two-thirds of those jobs in the region. Construction of the rail project would generate 7,000 to 8,000 new jobs, more than $1B in spending, and roughly $315M in household income.
The plan includes concept plans for 11 stations, the State Corridor Map showing priority areas for development of, and preservation for, 31 corridor communities, and a description of new policy commitments from the Commonwealth.
The South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan, project background information, fact sheets and maps are available at www.mass.gov/southcoastrail.
13 New England Groups Selected To Receive Additional Brownfields Grants
EPA has selected 13 organizations in five New England states to receive nearly $9.5M in grant funding to provide loans and subgrants to help carry out cleanup activities, redevelopment projects, and create jobs for local residents living near brownfields sites. Funding for these grants is supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The following Applicants have been selected to receive Recovery Act funds:
Boston Redevelopment Authority, $720,000; Recovery Act funds will support cleanup activities at as many as four shovel-ready hazardous substances projects that have been identified by the Authority. These projects are expected to create over 130 remediation and construction jobs, 120 permanent jobs and over $19M in private investment.
Worcester, Mass., $920,000; Recovery Act funds will support cleanup activities for as many as five shovel-ready projects identified by the city that are contaminated with hazardous substances and petroleum. These projects are expected to maximize job creation and will include extensive public and private investment.
Applicants selected to receive Brownfields general program funds are:
Franklin Regional Council of Governments (Mass.), $500,000; Funds will support cleanup activities for as many as five hazardous substances projects that have been identified by the Council. These projects are expected to create over 130 new jobs and will help leverage other public and private funding.
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (Mass.), $500,000; Funds will support cleanup activities for hazardous substances projects in Hampden and Hampshire Counties in Western Massachusetts. These projects are expected to help retain and create over 155 jobs, leverage over $2M in redevelopment dollars and fill cleanup funding gaps.
Taunton, Mass., $500,000; Funds will support cleanup activities for three hazardous substances projects that have been identified by the city. These projects are expected to maximize job creating and economic benefit in the targeted areas of the city.
MWRA Seeks To Discontinue Water Quality Monitoring In Mass. Bay
Approximately 10 years ago when the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant opened, the MWRA was responsible for monitoring treated wastewater flowing into Massachusetts Bay. Now, the MWRA is seeking permission from federal and state environmental regulators to stop monitoring environmental conditions in the Massachusetts Bay in an effort to save up to $3M a year.
The MWRA only wants to measure the quality of the water coming out of its outflow pipe, not conditions potentially affected by the effluent. The cost savings from eliminating the monitoring programin the bays might not result in savings for ratepayers, said Michael Hornbrook, MWRA COO, in an online Boston Globe article. “We’re trying to spend ratepayers’ money where it has meaning,’’ he said, and maintenance and repair expenses for the facility continue to accumulate.
Officials are appealing to both state and federal environmental agenciesto loosen up the requirementfor environmental monitoring in Deer Island’s permit, pointing to a nine-year record that shows the wastewater from the 9.5-mile pipe has had no significant effect on coastal ecosystems or marine life.
Within the next few weeks, the Deer Island Science Advisory Council plans to provide recommendations to the federal and state environmental agencies whether the monitoring program should be scaled back.
E. coli Bacteria Found In Milford Water Supply
As of August 9, 2009, Milford residents were under a “Boil Order” by DEP to boil their tap water after E. coli bacteria was found in the town’s water supply. During routine testing on August 5, 2009, two out of eight water samples contained high levels of fecal matter and one of the two tested positive for E. coli. The boil order was lifted after 10 days. Officials took steps to fix the contamination problem flushing hydrants in the system to draw highly chlorinated water into areas where there were some contamination issues.
You can view Milford Water Company’s website for the latest up-to-date information at www.milfordwater.com
UCANE Meets With Plymouth Rock Studio™ Executives
UCANE associates Phil Jasset and Michael Galli met with Plymouth Rock Studios™ CFO and Government Relations Executive Joseph DiLorenzo as well as other industry associates to discuss future plans and the amount of work this high tech studio will bring to Massachusetts. Projects are expected to be advertised for bid as soon as construction financing is obtained and are estimated to generate approximately $40M - $75M of site work, $17M of which is expected for water and sewer projects. UCANE will update our members as developments become available regarding these projects.
Complete details on Plymouth Rock Studios can be found by visiting: www.plymouthrockstudios.com.
Tel: (617) 471-9955 • Fax: (617) 471-8939 • 300 Congress Street, Suite 101 • Quincy, MA 02169