TRWA sent a comment letter on the December 15,2022 Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) proposed for Lakeshore Center Phase 4 in Bridgewater. As the letter states TRWA urged that the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) withhold approval of or deny this project which has significant potential to adversely affect the headwaters of the Taunton River including Lake Nippenicket and the Town River.
The (DEIR) leaves reasons to question this major project in such a small vulnerable headwaters watershed which is already suffering adverse impacts from previously completed project phases. The proposed project will disturb 27.85 acres, create 12.74 acres of new impervious cover and include 1,114 parking spaces. There is a need for greater information for adequate review by both interested citizens and public agencies. Areas of concern raised in our letter include:
- Receiving waters assimilative capacity (streams on site, Lake Nippenicket and Town River)
- Stormwater
- Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) of Hockomock Swamp
- Cumulative Impacts (previous phases plus this proposed phase of development)
- Archaeological Resources and Tribal Consultation
- Buffer Zone Protection (wetlands, streams and lake)
- Restaurant proposed on the Lake Nippenicket Shoreline
- Request by TRWA for a Monitoring Program
- Impact on perennial streams draining the three wetlands on site
- Impact on Town of Raynham Zone II aquifer
As a result of TRWA’s and other citizen comments the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office recently advised Lakeshore Development that there DEIR was insufficient and should be withdrawn.