The Revere City Conservation Commission voted to issue a negative determination of applicability for a five‑year vegetation management plan covering herbicide and mechanical treatments along the MBTA commuter rail right of way. The plan was presented by Matt Donovan on behalf of Keolis/contractor teams and requests determinations required under CMR 11 prior to submission to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

Donovan explained the program has two main chemical applications each year (a May–June application targeting the roadbed and an August application targeting brush adjacent to the roadbed), and that sensitive areas on the maps are restricted from brush applications. He said that roadbed applications are performed by a spray truck driving on the track with nozzles positioned to spray directly down onto the ties and with arms that extend roughly 12 feet from the centerline to reach shoulders; the certified applicator is accompanied by an environmental monitor who can shut off side nozzles when sensitive wet or ditch conditions exist.

Donovan said the blue and yellow zones on the maps indicate varying levels of sensitivity and that, in many sensitive zones, mechanical controls are used instead of chemical treatment. He added the chemicals used are chosen from a sensitive‑area approved list maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and that the yearly operation plan provides exact mixes and is submitted to the commission each year.

Several members of the public raised concerns about chemical use and potential runoff into wetlands and wildlife habitat. One commenter asked whether the program is exploring nonchemical alternatives; Donovan said mechanical measures are used where feasible but that there is no broadly feasible chemical‑free method for the roadbed itself and that applications are carefully scheduled around weather conditions.

The commission voted for a negative 2 determination that the proposed work, as described, would not impact wetland resource areas under local jurisdiction. Donovan also asked for a positive determinations to confirm boundary mapping (a positive 2) but the commission declined to issue that positive determination because members said they are not certified to walk the site and perform formal boundary confirmation. Commissioners suggested the applicant coordinate with the commission offline about how mapping confirmation could be handled via certified parties or alternate processes.

Motion and vote: a commissioner moved for a negative determination and the motion passed with all present commissioners voting in favor.

Why this matters: the vegetation management plan covers recurring herbicide use adjacent to wetlands; the commission confirmed the plan is exempted from local wetland impacts under the scope presented but declined to provide a field‑confirmation determination it cannot legally undertake without certified staff.