Ken Fields

Analytical Policy professional familiar with reviewing regulations, legislation and policies. Excellent writing, presentation and public speaking skills. Crafts well-reasoned and detailed opinions and galvanizes grassroots support for positions.

• Port and Infrastructure Analysis for Offshore Wind Energy Development, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Mr. Fields led an interdisciplinary team in gathering and analyzing the infrastructure needs for handling the components of wind turbines, and the vessels used for offshore deployment of wind energy generation facilities, and the ability of Massachusetts port facilities to accommodate the receiving, storage, preconstruction, handling and delivery to proposed project sites. Research involved interviewing Mass Port operators, and developers from East Coast wind farms. The final report convinced the Commonwealth to fund and construct the expansion of the South Terminal in New Bedford Harbor as the logical Massachusetts port facility for meeting the new industry’s needs.
• Gillette South Boston Manufacturing Center, Gillette, South Boston, MA, Mr. Fields has provided regulatory planning and permitting services for Gillette for over a decade, including multiple successful prosecutions of zoning relief from the Boston Zoning Board of Appeal, approvals and Order of Conditions from Boston Conservation Commission, and Chapter 91 Licensing. He led the process to have MA DEP recognize landlocked tidelands and remove almost 7-1/2 acres of Gillette property from Waterways Jurisdiction. He led community presentations for licensing, zoning relief and general planning consulting on coastal regulatory issues.
• Point Shirley Due Diligence and Jurisdictional Challenge, Winthrop and Boston, MA, Mr. Fields provided a regulatory analysis for a challenging site between two municipalities and two water bodies on permitting triggers and processes for wetland resource areas, Chapter 91 Jurisdiction, flood zones, and Natural Heritage Priority Species Habitat. Also prepared Chapter 91 Request for Determination resulting in the removal of the site from jurisdiction, and a Map Revision Request to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.
• Encore Boston Harbor Resort and Casino, Everett, MA, Mr. Fields was responsible for obtaining a 401 Water Quality Certification from MA DEP, and an ACOE Section 10 and 404 individual permit. Coordinated relief of Time of Year Restrictions with the MA Division of Marine Fisheries, National marine Fisheries Service, ACOE and MA DEP Waterways and Water Quality Divisions.
• Massachusetts Electric (National Grid), Colins Cove, Massachusetts Electric, Salem, MA, Mr. Fields coordinated surveys and regulatory permitting for a multi-phased remedial action plan at the former manufactured gas plant, which included land side hydraulic cap, beach cap and armoring, an in-situ bioremediation trial alternative, dredging, and wetland restoration of the dewatering stockpile area. Representing Massachusetts Electric in submissions and public hearings, he obtained permits sets for each of the four phases from the Planning Board, Chapter 91 Authorization from DEP, Orders of Conditions from the Salem Conservation Commission, a MEPA Certificate (ENF) from the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, ACOE Section 10 and 404, and NPDES construction compliance with U.S. EPA.
• Charlestown Marina Reconstruction, Charlestown, MA, Responsible for coordinating permits, landscape design, graphics, and marine engineering. The Marina facilities at Pier 8 and Pier 6 were subject to a Consent Judgement due to neglect by the prior owner. Chapter 91 authorization required a Water-dependent License for Pier 8 and a Non-water dependent License for Pier 6. Other regulatory submissions included an Environmental Notification form under MEPA, MA CZM Federal Consistency and two sets of ACOE Section 10 Permits and Wetland Orders of Conditions from the Boston Conservation Commission. Coordination of submissions of other documents to and negotiations with the state Attorney General’s Office.
• Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center, Boston and Quincy, MA, Mr. Fields was responsible for coordinating surveys, permitting, landscape design, graphic support, Historic Preservation Consultants and marine engineering for expedited permitting to replace the failing water main to the island. Regulatory approvals included MEPA Environmental Notification Form, 401 Water Quality Certification and Chapter 91 License from Massachusetts DEP, ACOE Section 10 and 404 General Permit, Massachusetts Historic Commission Review, National Park Service acknowledgement, and Orders of Conditions from Boston and Quincy Conservation Commissions.
• NSTAR “K” Street Switchyard Expansion, South Boston, MA, Mr. Fields was responsible for coordinating surveys, permitting, landscape design, graphic support, and marine engineering. Represented NSTAR in submissions, community meetings, and public hearings to obtain an Interim Permit from Zoning Board of Appeals, Chapter 91 Authorization from DEP, Orders of Conditions from Boston Conservation Commission, MEPA Certificate (ENF) from Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, and NPDES construction submissions to the U.S. EPA.
• Sullivan & McLaughlin Electric Site Improvements, Dorchester, MA, He was responsible for oversight of coastal bank stabilization and stormwater engineering designs, landscape design, surveying and regulatory reviews under MEPA, Wetland Protection Act, Chapter 91 research, RDA and Chapter 91 Variance in the Lower Neponset ACEC.
• Hingham Shipyard Redevelopment, Hingham, MA, Mr. Fields was responsible for representing Sea Chain LLC in submissions and hearings to obtain a Chapter 91 Waterways License from the DEP, ACOE Section 10, and CZM Federal Consistency for the redevelopment of the Hingham Shipyard that incorporates residential, retail, office, commercial fishing, marina, marine services and sales, and other commercial businesses, including open space, access roads and drives, as well as parking areas to support the existing and proposed transportation and recreation.