Officials Weigh in on Wynn Casino's Final Environmental Impact Report

The proposed $1.6 million Wynn Resort Casino in Everett gained more momentum this week, as Massachusetts officials reviewed and commented on the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the project

The company’s analysis of its impacts and proposed mitigation related to the project was found to comply with 10 out of 11 topics covered by the FEIR, including wetlands, air quality, greenhouse gas and sustainable environment, stormwater, water supply, waste water, solid and hazardous wastes, historic resources and construction management, Wynn representatives said Tuesday.

State officials on Tuesday reportedly requested further clarification and technical data on specific traffic and transit topics that were previously discussed, and a “mutually-acceptable” document to address those issues is expected to be filed in the coming weeks, according to Wynn’s announcement.

“All of us at Wynn are thrilled that this long, detailed process has moved so far along and is now close to completion,” Robert DeSalvio, Senior Vice President of Development at Wynn Resorts, said in a statement. “The limited number of comments by the state validate how thoroughly we addressed all areas of impact in the nearly two years we’ve worked on our DEIR (Draft Environmental Impact Report). Clearly, we’re at the goal line now and close to certification.”

The proposed casino resort in Everett would be located across the bridge from Charlestown’s Sullivan Square; the project has caused debate amongst Charlestown residents, with representatives of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission deeming Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts “suitable” to obtain a casino license in eastern Massachusetts last December. About 60 percent of the casino’s estimated traffic would come by way of Sullivan Square in Charlestown.

Earlier this year, local and state officials discussed environmental impacts of the proposed project, with several saying the nearby casino would pollute the air throughout the region, as dust leftover from trucks carrying dirt laced with arsenic, lead and petroleum hydrocarbons from years of sulfur manufacturing on the previous chemical site used by Monsanto would likely blow from west to east toward Boston. A state bond bill, however, aims to provide about $50 million to clean up the old chemical site if Wynn isn’t able to build on the land, according to the Boston Herald.