Lake Wickaboag Dredging Project
Fall 2020 update
In February, we received and deposited a $50,000 appropriation from the MA 2019 fiscal year General Fund. We thank Anne Gobi and her staff for this award. Carl Nielsen and ESS were selected to assist us in implementing the tasks this grant funded. ESS prepared a request for bids for a site that could receive the sediment, and we received one response. ESS evaluated that response and the potential of using the area around the Town Land Fill, and they concluded that a gravel pit site between Wickaboag Valley Road and Madden Road was a preferred location for the 350,000 cubic yards of dredge material. Using this site would require a negotiated agreement with the land owner.
ESS also prepared a preliminary hydraulic dredging engineering design and prepared preliminary permits that were reviewed by us. We would need another $50,000 to finalize the engineering plans and complete and file the permits. As a result of the ESS analysis, the entire project is now estimated to cost in the neighborhood of eight million dollars. Anne Gobi arranged a meeting with the recently appointed MA Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Katie Theoharides, to review the access procedures required to obtain some or all of the five million dollars earmarked in the most recent MA Environmental Bond Bill for the Lake Wickaboag north cove dredging project. The Secretary did not offer to authorize disbursement of any of the designated funds in the Bond Bill. She suggested that we review the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program and examine how we could use that process to obtain funding for our dredging program from the Bond Bill.
The MVP is a state and local partnership to build resilience to climate change by building capacity to respond to climate effects at the local level through the piloting of innovative adaptation practices. The program provides Planning Grants and Action Grants. While we will explore this program in more detail, our initial understanding is that any Action Grant award may require us to provide up to 25% of the total project funding and the maximum annual Action Grant award would be capped at two million dollars. We would have to apply annually and be awarded a maximum Action Grant over three to four consecutive years to fund our project.
At the beginning of our investigation of dredging the north cove of Lake Wickaboag, we stated that we would proceed until we reached a “Show Stopper” issue. If we cannot overcome the complexity of MVP, we may have found that “Show Stopper” issue.
5/2019 update
Al Collings
While a new three year Environmental Bill has been approved by the MA Legislature and signed by Governor Baker and it includes a $5.0 million authorization for dredging the north cove of Lake Wickaboag, we have been unable to obtain the application documents and guidelines to request some of the funds. We continue to work with MA State Senator Anne Gobi’s staff to see if we can get some resolution to this dilemma.
Some good news. We have a $50,000 provision in the MA 2019 fiscal year General Fund budget, and we received these funds in February. We prepared a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a consultant to assist us in using the funds for the next phase of the dredging project. Carl Nielsen and ESS have been selected and will assist us with the following tasks:
A. The Sediment Deposit Program Develop a Request for Bids (“RFB”) for 50+ contiguous acres of land that can be used for depositing up to 350,000 cubic yards of sediment from the north cove of Lake. Prepare a written evaluation of the RFB responses and a task list and estimated budget to move the sediment to the preferred deposit sites resulting from the responses to the RFBs.
B. The Hydraulic Dredging Engineering Design Program Prepare an engineering plan for The Project. The plan should provide the necessary information to complete C and allow West Brookfield residents, Lake Wickaboag Preservation Association (LWPA) and other project stakeholders to identify issues and concerns prior to the permitting process.
C. The Preparation of Permits Program Review existing preliminary permit filings and identify issues and information needs to prepare and complete the filing of any and all required permits for A and B (on left). Agencies identified that require permits and licenses include but are not limited to the U.S. Corps of Engineers Section 404 permits, a Section 401 Water Quality Certificate, a Chapter 91 license (for a great pond) A Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act. (MEPA ENF) and local permitting through the West Brookfield Conservation Commission (Notice of Intent).
We expect that additional tasks will be required by the various regulatory agencies before they issue final permits. We will probably need another $50,000 to resolve issues and prepare bid documents for the actual dredging
11/2018 update
From Al Collings
While a new three year Environmental Bill has been approved and signed by Governor Baker and it includes a $5.00 million authorization for dredging the north cove of Lake Wickaboag, we have been unable to obtain the application documents and guidelines to request some of the funds. We continue to work with MA state Senator Anne Gobi’s staff to see if we can get some resolution to this dilemma. Some good news is there is a $50,000 provision in the MA 2019 fiscal year General Fund budget, and we are awaiting the paper work to request these funds. Senator Gobi has suggested that as soon as we complete the application for funding, we should receive a check. This initial amount would be applied to start the final approval of our preliminary filed permits and begin the needed engineering documents.
11/2016 update
From Al Collings
The funding story for the North Cove Dredging Project continues. In May, we learned that the MA Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs did not include in his 2017 Capital plan any of our $5.0 million in the Environmental Bond Bill for the dredging of the North Cove of Lake Wickaboag. However, MA State Senator Anne Gobi was able to include $.5 million for our project in the Economic Development Bill approved by both the MA Senate and House and signed by Governor Baker in August. Upon inquiry, we were advised by Senator Gobi’s staff that any appropriation under this bill would have to be included in the 2018 Capital Plan due to be published in the spring of 2017 before funds could be committed. Senator Gobi’s office is now returning to the staff of the Energy and Environmental Affairs department to see if, at a minimum, $.5 million could be released from the Environmental Bond Bill so we can proceed to finalize our permit filings and complete our engineering plans for the project. Again, this release will probably be delayed until the 2018 Capital Plan is published in the spring of 2017. If we are able to get these funds, we will use some of our remaining $33,000 to prepare the necessary “Request for Proposals” (RFP) for these tasks. For now, we sit and wait for the next conversations after the election
8/2015 update
LAKE WICKABOAG
NORTH COVE DREDGING PROJECT STATUS
August 21, 2015
On August 20th, Johanna Swain, Executive Secretary to the WB Board of Selectmen, Dr. Ken Wagner, well known lake and pond consultant, and I met with MA Senator Anne Gobi, , MA Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton, and Stolle Singleton, Legislative Assistant to Secretary Beaton. The meeting started in the WB Town Hall and concluded with a ride around Lake Wickaboag in my Chris Craft to give the visitors a firsthand view of water quality improvement projects that had been completed and a review of the site and story of the $5.0 million north cove dredging proposal. The meeting had been arranged through the staff of Anne Gobi.
The purpose of the meeting was twofold:
1. Present to the Secretary a picture of the lake management issues confronting lakes and ponds across the Commonwealth using Lake Wickaboag as an example.
2. Review the plans and progress for the dredging (also an issues in many MA lakes and ponds) of the north cove of Lake Wickaboag and the information needed for the Secretary to authorize the disbursement of the $5 million included in the MA Environmental Bond Bill passed by the MA House and Senate and signed by the then Governor Patrick last fall.
We presented the Secretary with copies of the LWPA newsletter, the 2013 Apex PowerPoint presentation on the status of the north cove dredging project, a PowerPoint presentation of lake and pond issues in MA and an additional document prepared by Dr. Wagner on MA lake issues with background and possible solutions.
The meeting went well with the Secretary and his assistant listening intently and taking many notes and asking a lot of questions. Dr. Wagner highlighted the issues contained in his document. The Secretary indicated that while we brought many issues, he wanted detailed solutions and alternatives. He recognized the problem of lack of interdepartmental cooperation and wasn’t sure how to solve it.
We tried to impress the Secretary that in West Brookfield, we are a group that gets projects done with the support of the Selectmen, boards and committee and with the community with generous private funding of lake projects. The Secretary asked what he could do for the dredging project. I responded that we needed the $5.0 million that was included in the Environmental Bill. He did not offer to write the check at this time nor did he indicate that the funds were not available. He did ask if the funding could be spread over several fiscal periods.
I see these as the action steps:
1. The LWPA working with the WB Board of health will develop a task and funding plan for release of the funds. I suggested this would take a few weeks.
2. The Secretary agreed to hold a meeting with representatives on MA COLAP at his office in Boston sometime in September or October. We will begin working on the agenda which needs to include more detailed recommendations to specific issues.
4/2015 update
Consultants still need to evaluate the possible depository site on Wickaboag Valley Road through soil samples. They have the authority to go on the property and dig seven holes. They are supposed to have report to us by the 1st of June. They will do a comparative analysis of both sites. Probably a year from fall before this goes into process.
9/2014 update
The Governor signed the bill. Now waiting on funds appropriation. It will cost about $33,000 to evaluate the two potential sediment dump sites, a must to finish the DEP filing. We need about 50 acres.
6/2014 update:
Contractor had to give a $500 reimbursement because they did not do the seeding. The ponds are 6-8 feet deep. It took an extra $100,000 in private funds to finish the beach pond. Mary Beth to call Louise Garwood to design vegetative buffer between the boat club parking lot and the pond. LWPA will award $1000 grant for the project. John Frizzell proposed that the boat club spend $2500 for a design and any permits necessary to do the work. Boat club approved. The culvert under the road needs to be replaced, a $40,000-$60,000 project. Size of culvert is dictated by the state. ESS has been asked to do the design and permit for $4,000 and file for another 319 grant. LWPA will commit to $1500. Motion made to allocate $1000 to vegetate the banking at the boat club and $1500 for the culvert project. Unanimous.
Click here for the 2010 Dredging Prospectus link
Lake Wickaboag North Cove Dredging Project
The Apex Companies (dredging consultants) completed taking ninety-six sediment core samples, and the test
results confirmed that the material is not suitable for residential use, but under certain circumstances could be
used for commercial or industrial situations. We have concluded that we should plan on depositing sediment at
a site where the material could be covered and left forever, most likely at the unused area of the town land fill
and some adjacent land, subject to town approval. The project feasibility and a modified preliminary dredge
design and permitting activity started in 2010, should be finished by the middle of 2013. We have been slowed
by changes in staff at Apex, but expect the initial permits will be filed by June this year. A major issue will be
the permitting of the pumping of the dredge material to the land fill. Since we will be crossing wetlands and
following Bradish Brook to the dewatering and disposal area, our plans will be under great scrutiny. This task
could take more time than anticipated. Preparation of engineering, design and construction specifications
should begin in 2013 and be finished in 2014. Actual dredging could begin in 2015,
dependent upon raising the
necessary funds in the next two years.
Private fund raising has been completed with the raising of $151,325.00. We appreciate all contributions and
will need to raise additional local amounts for the final plans. Our attention will now turn to raising the $5-$8
million needed for the actual dredging operation.
Dredge Project Goals:
• Improve water quality and clarity;
• Reduce long-term sediment input;
• Remove invasive species;
• Reduce Algae blooms;
• Reverse eutrophic conditions;
• Improve boating and recreation
conditions;
• Improve fish stock and sporting
opportunities
.
Dredge Project Tasks:
• Remove 300,000 + cubic yards of
sediment from fifty to seventy-five
acres in the north cove.
• Create two varied depth basins to
improve water clarity and create
preferred habitat for fish species.
An updated Lake Wickaboag Dredging Prospectus is available for those who want more information
Call Al at
508.867.7165 for a copy.
MAY 2019
TOWN OF WEST BROOKFIELD
INVITATION FOR BIDS
LAKE WICKABOAG NORTH COVE DREDGING DISPOSAL
The Town of West Brookfield, through the Board of Health, is seeking a disposal site for the deposit of up to 350,000 cubic yards of material to be dredged from the North Cove of Lake Wickaboag. The site offered must be a minimum of 30 acres and within 2 miles of the North Cove of Lake Wickaboag. Specifications are currently available and may be obtained from the Board of Health’s Office in the Town Hall, 2 East Main Street, West Brookfield, MA 01585, Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm. Qualified Bidders are requested to submit six copies of the proposals sealed and clearly marked
“LAKE WICKABOAG NORTH COVE DREDGING DISPOSAL” to the West Brookfield Board of Health, 2 East Main Street, PO Box 653, West Brookfield, MA 01585 no later than 12:00 noon, May 29, 2019. Electronic submissions or submissions received after 12:00 noon, May 29, 2019 will not be considered. The Town reserves the right to reject any or all proposals not in the best interest of the Town of West Brookfield.