The MWRA project manager presented an overview of the pipeline replacement project, which seeks to replace a 90-year-old pipeline to improve water quality, provide redundancy for fire flows, and increase water pressure within Revere and Lynn. The project involves using horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to minimize surface impacts and potential effects on wetland resource areas and coastal dune barrier beach systems. Despite the project’s urgent objective to address aging infrastructure, the commission and members of the public raised concerns about the potential environmental impacts, including the drilling method’s effect on aquatic ecosystems and the risk of sediment buildup and pressure in the river channel.

A notable area of concern was the process of HDD, which involves drilling a 4-foot hole 40 feet under the riverbed. Hugo Rudo, a resident, voiced opposition to the project’s method of crossing from Lynn to Revere. The project representatives responded with assurances based on geological assessments and bore reports, which aimed to ensure minimal impact on aquatic creatures. They dismissed the feasibility of using the bridge due to its structural deficiencies and potential impact on wetlands.

The commission also reviewed a bio-remediation proposal for addressing the remaining contamination from a 2020 fuel spill at the Brown Circle rotary. The proposed treatment involved injecting a concentrated microbial solution, produced by CL Solutions, into the soil near the salt marsh channel to break down petroleum products over a 90-day period. Although questions were raised about the long-term impact of the microbes, the commission voted for a negative determination of applicability.

Enforcement matters related to environmental compliance were also a focal point of the meeting. The commission addressed the unauthorized addition of fill by property owners on Putnam Road and Putnam Road, which are located in environmentally sensitive areas. The property owners expressed surprise and frustration at the need for permits, citing safety concerns and a lack of information at the time of purchase. The commission underscored the importance of compliance with regulations to prevent environmental harm and stressed that the issues raised were separate from personal concerns about land use.

Additionally, instances of non-compliance included property owners replacing asphalt driveways with pavers without acquiring the necessary permits. The commission advised that these owners would need to rectify the situation after the fact. During the meeting, a request to place fill in an isolated freshwater wetland to create safe access around a home was met with concerns about the loss of permeable area and the potential displacement of water. The commission encouraged the exploration of alternative solutions, such as removing barriers to water infiltration and the use of native plants.