Chestnut Street - Notice of Intent

What is proposed

Boston Gas Company proposes to install a new 8‑inch natural gas main along Chestnut Street to connect to the existing main on Water Street and to install a prefabricated pressure relief valve (PRV). All relief‑valve equipment will be placed within a single underground concrete vault in the Chestnut Street road shoulder; above‑ground appurtenances will include a SCADA control box and vent poles. The above‑ground portion of the PRV assembly is reported as 20" x 33" x 27".

A pressure relief valve (PRV) is equipment that allows controlled venting or pressure‑management of a gas distribution line during overpressure events; the SCADA box houses remote monitoring and control equipment for the valve system.

Where and how big

The work is sited in the public way at Chestnut Street and Water Street in Amesbury (42.856223, -70.9266061), adjacent to the Back River. The project lies within the 100‑foot Buffer Zone to Inland Bank and the 200‑foot Riverfront Area; the NOI reports 445 square feet of alteration to the Riverfront Area (250 sq ft within 0–100 ft and 195 sq ft between 100–200 ft). All construction is planned within existing paved roadway, roadway shoulder, or mown lawn; no tree removal is proposed.

Construction access, protections and restoration

Construction access will be via the existing roadway and shoulder; no off‑road vehicle access is anticipated. Best Management Practices (BMPs) described in the filing include pre‑installation erosion and sediment controls (for example, straw wattles and mulching), temporary containment for any dewatering (filter bag plus surrounding fiber rolls or hay bales), daily sweeping of roadways if sediment is tracked, and regular inspection of controls. Temporarily disturbed areas will be stabilized and restored to pre‑construction conditions with an upland conservation seed mix or mulching as appropriate; all equipment and non‑biodegradable materials will be removed during restoration.

Regulatory context and status

BSC Group filed a Notice of Intent on behalf of Boston Gas Company under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. c.131, §40) and the Amesbury Wetlands Protection Ordinance. The applicant notes the project meets the criteria for consideration as a Limited Project for underground public utilities (310 CMR 10.53(3)(d)) but has requested a full Order of Conditions because it does not qualify as exempt maintenance. The filing package (dated/signed 8/18/2026) includes environmental resource mapping, site photographs, an alternatives discussion (no practicable alternatives identified), a certified abutters list, and National Grid/BGC BMP guidance. The applicant requests the Conservation Commission consider issuing an Order of Conditions for the proposed activities.