Ads for Mass Gov Department of Agricultural Resources in the Berkshires

NOTICE PUBLIC HEARINGS: VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN Pursuant to the Rights-of-Way Management Regulations (333 CMR 11.00) in order to apply pesticides to control vegetation to maintain Rights-of Ways, the Department of Food and Agriculture must approve a Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) and a Yearly Operational Plan (YOP). The VMP is intended to justify the need to control vegetation, identify target vegetation, describe the intended methods of control, describe methods for identifying sensitive areas, describe operational guidelines for applicators, and outline a program of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) designed to reduce the use of herbicides, and describe alternative land use activities. The communities of Buckland, Florida, and Monroe are advised that Great River Hydro plans to utilize herbicides to treat their Rights-of-Way. PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED: In accordance with 333 CMR 11.05 the Department of Agricultural Resources will conduct a regional hearing to receive public comment on the proposed Vegetation Management Plan for Great River Hydro as submitted by: Andrew S. Powers. of Vegetation Control Services with Timothy Harty, Environmental Specialist. To provide all interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposed VMP, a public hearing will be held via ZOOM: Topic: Great River Hydro VMP Public Hearing Time: Apr 10, 2026 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85963345836?pwd=sjJ0Ek38YvNqDZcKcLmLuYfOHFvSYF.1 Meeting ID: 859 6334 5836 Passcode: 864970 https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/85963345836/invitations?signature=vmnMHNwrAfg9EeFvj1vU5akmgusuxA64Xo5Aau5GvqA o5Aau5GvqA Plans Available for Public Review Prior to Hearings: Section 11.05 (3)(d) of the ROW Management Regulations provide: "At least 21 days prior to the end of the public comment period, the applicant shall send a copy of the proposed VMP to the chief elected official, the Board of Health, and the Conservation Commission in all affected communities upon their request." Such request should be made to: Timothy Harty Environmental Specialist Great River Hydro Northeast, LLC Walpole Office 2 Killeen Street North Walpole, NH 03609 Copies of the proposed VMP can be viewed at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources webpage at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/rights-of-way-vegetation-management-vmps-yops-and-notices . The VMP is also available for review at the Reference Desk of the following public library: Florida Public Library, 56 North County Road, Florida, MA 01247 Written Comments Requested The public hearings listed above will give interested parties the opportunity to present data, views or arguments, orally or in writing concerning the proposed VMP. Persons giving testimony are also requested to provide written comments. Written comments in advance of the hearing dates are welcome. The Department will accept written testimony concerning the Great River Hydro VMP until the close of business (5pm): April 10, 2026 Commentary should be sent to: Clayton Edwards Rights of Way Program Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources Pesticide Program 225 Turnpike Rd., 3rd Floor Southborough, MA 01772 Ad# 100103 03/17/2026