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Our quarterly newsletter captures project spotlights, conferences and events attended, and recent staff updates.
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ISSUE NO. 16 / September 2016
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Led by Epsilon Senior Scientist Amanda Atwell, Norwood Airport has completed its Wildlife Hazard Assessment (WHA).
WHAs help identify and minimize risks of aircraft-wildlife collisions, which then helps to save lives (both humans and animals) as well as reduce aircraft downtime. For this effort, Amanda visited the airport on numerous occasions throughout a survey-year to identify wildlife species at the airport and their numbers, locations, local movements, and daily and seasonal occurrences. This involved a 12-month assessment to record seasonal patterns of birds and other wildlife using the airport and surrounding area throughout a year. Amanda also identified and located features on and near the airport that attract wildlife (e.g., food, vegetation, water, and shelter).
In wrapping up the assessment, Epsilon provided a description of wildlife hazards to air carrier operations and recommended actions for reducing wildlife hazards to airmen and air carriers. Amanda also worked closely with the Airport, FAA and MassDOT to provide a management plan that helps the airport reduce hazards and address habitat and operational improvements. Amanda is a qualified airport wildlife biologist.
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Gloucester Hotel Opens for Business
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Photo from Beauport Hotel Gloucester Hotel's website. |
In June 2016, the Beauport Hotel Gloucester opened for business. It is a 94-room waterfront hotel spearheaded by Sheree Zizik, owner of Cruiseport Gloucester and Jim Davis, chairman of New Balance. Epsilon provided coastal geology assistance for wetlands and waterways permitting for the project including the seawall replacement. The project replaced the former Birdseye factory, which had existed since the 1920's on Gloucester's Pavilion Beach. In addition to assistance before the local Conservation Commission, which approved the project, Epsilon provided expert geological and environmental testimony during the appeal of the project by local residents to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). MassDEP ultimately adjusted the presumptive historic high water line, resulting in limited Chapter 91 jurisdiction at the site.
Before the project was heard in the adjudicatory hearing process, the plans for the hotel and seawall were modified with consent from the locals and the hotel was able to move forward with construction. Now, two years later, the 94-room luxury hotel includes a rooftop pool, jacuzzi and bar. The hotel also includes two function rooms and a first-floor deck overlooking the ocean.
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 Where We've Been (And Where We're Going)
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Highlighted below are some of the events we attended and even taught throughout the late spring and summer.
 In June, Epsilon Principal Rob O'Neal and Staff Engineer Clint Cyr both participated in this year's Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE-USA) NOISE-CON 2016. Rob presented a paper during the Wind Turbine Noise session as well as served as the session chair. He provided information on his experience working on wind turbine projects in New England.
In July, as a conference sponsor for the NECA 2016 Environmental Conference, Epsilon was well represented by Principals Dale Raczynski and Steve Slocomb, Senior Consultant Dorothy Buckoski, and Staff Engineer Nick DeFilippo. Senior Scientist Joe Sabato provided the welcoming remarks and moderated a panel focused on addressing public health issues in power project permitting.
In late spring, Principal Mike Howard instructed a course on wetland delineations for beginners for the
Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions
. Participants learned how to identify wetland resource areas using the MassDEP manual "Delineating Bordering Vegetated Wetlands under the MA Wetlands Protection Act". In August, Senior Scientist Amanda Atwell co-taught a class on hydric soils for the organization. The class included a morning session reviewing basic hydric soil descriptors as they relate to the "Field Indicators of Hydric Soils" published by the USDA-NRCS followed by an afternoon in the field.
Our upcoming events include:
NECA 2016 Fuels Conference
| September 28, 2016 |
More Info
EBC Energy Resources Program: Wind Turbine Noise Update
| October 4, 2016 |
More Info
Epsilon Speaker: Rob O'Neal
MAMA 43rd Annual Conference |
October 17-18, 2016 |
More Info
Epsilon exhibiting at event
MACC Fall Conference | October 29, 2016 | More Info
Epsilon attending
ABX 2016 | November 15-17, 2016 | More Info
Epsilon Speaker: Doug Kelleher
AMWS Annual Conference | November 18, 2016 | More Info
Epsilon attending
Click
here
to learn more about these and other upcoming events.
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What's New At Epsilon
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There were a number of well-deserved promotions this year. In addition to the new principals and associates recently announced
there were a number of others: Alyssa Jacobs and Dan Fefer were promoted to Senior Consultant and Amanda Atwell was promoted to Senior Scientist. Clint Cyr and Brielly Allen were promoted to Project Engineer and Project Planner, respectively, and Alison Me was promoted to Marketing Manager.
The season is not the only thing that is changing around here. Our office is getting a new look and around the mill there is a lot happening including a new rail trail across the street. We will be showing off our new office space and more soon. Stay tuned!
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