Confidential Data Center Environmental Permitting and Compliance Services

SWCA supported the planning and permitting process for a new data center with multiple buildings on an approximately 150-acre site, combining multiple land parcels along two roadways in Massachusetts (the project or site). A preliminary Master Plan had been developed by others, showing the proposed layout for up to ten data center buildings, utility buildings, parking, stormwater management controls, and associated utilities. This activity required Site Plan Review or a Special Permit by the Planning Board, authorization under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 131 § 40) (WPA) and City Wetlands Protection Ordinance (Number 1109) issued by the city conservation commission, and a Conservation and Management Permit (CMP) under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (M.G.L. c. 131A) (MESA) for the take of state-listed rare species, issued by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP).

Following the tax plan approvals for this project, SWCA provided environmental consulting services that included:

• Delineation and survey of resource areas associated with the proposed Project work areas
• Submission of an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD) application to the Municipal Conservation Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to verify and confirm jurisdictional resource areas on the property
• Providing site plans, data, consultations with the client and agencies, and site planning as needed