One of the most rewarding parts of serving the LSPA is seeing firsthand how our members contribute to improving communities across Massachusetts. Last month, the LSPA EJ Grant Review Committee reviewed 23 grant applications from organizations seeking support for projects that benefit both the environment and EJ populations throughout the Commonwealth.

The applications reflected the creativity, dedication, and passion of community organizations working to address environmental challenges through education, stewardship, community engagement, career development, habitat restoration, climate resilience, and many other locally driven initiatives. The breadth of ideas reminded us that meaningful environmental progress often starts at the community level.

The Society of Toxicology is hosting a free webinar on September 10, 2026, at 12:00 ET, titled, “US EPA’s IRIS Transition and its Implications.” This webinar aims to provide a balanced, science-based discussion of the recent action by the US EPA regarding the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), including their rationale, implementation, and implications for chemical risk assessment. The session will include:

Opening Remarks: David Fotouhi, Deputy Administrator of the US EPA (he authored the US EPA memo from earlier this year regarding the "Future Development and Use of Risk Assessments")

MassDEP Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program
FY27-28 Opportunity and Application
Release Date:  May 13, 2026

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is pleased to announce that the application for the FY2027-28 Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) is now available. This grant opportunity provides $200,000 in funding, with up to $20,000 per community or municipal applicant group selected for an award, to enhance public involvement and promote a better understanding of the cleanup of contaminated sites in their communities.

In April 2024, I witnessed the solar eclipse in Burlington, Vermont. A group of seven friends and family gathered, hoping it wouldn't be lame...the odds of it being sunny in Burlington in early April were quite low. We watched it from the end of Fish Pier overlooking Lake Champlain, and after getting the perfect view of totality, we immediately made a new plan: next eclipse, Iceland. 

Fast forward to last week in Reykjavík, where our group had grown to ten. The weather teased us with sunshine all week, providing spectacular views of waterfalls, glaciers, and puffins (oh my!), only to deliver clouds and rain when eclipse day arrived. Apparently, Mother Nature enjoys a good practical joke. Nevertheless, we joined thousands of people along the ocean at Grótta Lighthouse and waited. When the sky darkened, the crowd erupted in cheers. Clouds or no clouds, it was one of those rare moments that reminds you how wonderfully big the universe is and how lucky we are to share it with those around us. 

MassDEP will host a Statewide Brownfields Roundtable Webinar on Tuesday, September 1 from 6:00-7:30pm. This meeting will provide an opportunity to learn about funding and technical resources available to support the assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment of Brownfields in Massachusetts. Presentations will be given by staff from MassDEP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MassDevelopment, and the University of Connecticut Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Program. 

To register, visit the registration link here: MassDEP Brownfields Roundtable Webinar. If you have not yet attended a Brownfields Roundtable in 2026, please join us to hear about the most current guidance and to learn about annual updates from the presenters. If you attended a prior 2026 roundtable and you know others who may benefit from the information provided, please share this information with your colleagues and associates.

The LSPA Board is pleased to announce the following candidates have been elected to the LSPA Board of Directors for three-year terms starting on July 1, 2026:

Second Term (2026-2029):

MassDEP has released the following guidance documents for public comment by the waste site cleanup community in Massachusetts. LSPA members are welcome to submit comments to the LSPA for inclusion in our comment letter or directly to MassDEP.

Characterization of Petroleum Contaminated Sites:
MassDEP has posted a new Public Comment Draft document for petroleum contaminated sites. The draft document is an update to the “Characterizing Risk Posed by Petroleum Contaminated Sites: Implementation of the MADEP VPH/EPH Approach,” dated October 31, 2002.

The following LSPA practice tip was introduced at the June 2026 Membership Meeting, which was held via Zoom on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 3:45-5:00 PM.

Practice Tip  
In MassDEP’s Vapor Intrusion Guidance: Site Assessment, Mitigation, and Closure (Policy #WSC-16-435, Section 3.7), MassDEP recommends that for sampling to demonstrate that an active or passive mitigation system is no longer required to mitigate the vapor intrusion pathway, the vent pipe should be capped or the valve to the vent piping closed during the sampling event. For an active system, the vent or valve needs to be closed prior to sampling as well. Based on discussions with MassDEP, it is recommended that the vent/valve for an active system be closed at least seven days prior to sampling, consistent with the recommendation for deactivation of the system that is in the guidance.

The newest installment of the Risk Characterization Guidance, Chapters 11, 12 and 13, has been posted to MassDEP's MCP Amendments web page. Information can also be found below.

Risk Characterization Guidance Chapters 11-13, Public Review Draft

The following LSPA practice tip was introduced at the May 2026 Membership Meeting, which was held via Zoom on Thursday, May14, 2026, from 3:45-5:00 PM.

Practice Tip  
Chemical Abstract Service Registry Numbers (CAS RNs or CAS Numbers) are standardized numerical strings used to identify specific chemical substances. Chemicals may have multiple or varying names, spellings, trade names, etc.; however, the same substance will always have the same CAS Number. Given the importance of chemical identification, the tables and laboratory reports that are submitted in an MCP report should include chemical names along with applicable CAS Numbers. This will help avoid confusion as to what information or MCP standard is associated with a given chemical and will provide a direct link between a chemical and the MCP.

Thank you for being an LSPA member! We value your participation in the association, and we want to ensure we’re delivering the greatest possible benefit to you and the broader waste site cleanup community in Massachusetts and New England more broadly.

To that end, we invite you to complete our 2026 Member Survey. This survey will take 8-10 minutes to complete and focuses on three key areas:

MassDEP has just posted a new Public Comment Draft document for your review at https://www.mass.gov/lists/policies-guidance-technical-support-for-site-cleanup#draft-policies-      

“Guidance for Persons Performing Response Actions at Massachusetts Contingency Plan Disposal Sites Who May be Generators of Hazardous Waste.”

The following LSPA practice tip was introduced at the April 2026 Membership Meeting, which was held via Zoom on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 3:45-5:00 PM.

Practice Tip  
There can be more than one LSP-of-Record for a disposal site. As defined in the MCP (310 CMR 40.0006), an LSP-of-Record is an LSP “…who has rendered an LSP Opinion [at a] site, …”  and remains as such until they provide written resignation to MassDEP. In cases where there are multiple LSPs-of-Record, it may be beneficial to coordinate activities with other parties performing response actions.  

We hope this message finds you well and enjoying the start of spring!

We are pleased to announce that voting for the LSPA FY27 Board of Directors election will open on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Ballots will be sent by email to all LSPA members, and we encourage all members to vote.

The LSPA’s grant programs support our commitment to advancing sound environmental practices, promoting the waste site cleanup profession, and creating meaningful community engagement. We’re pleased to announce the 2026-2027 launch of our two grant programs:

• Environmental Justice (EJ) Grant
• WES LSP Practice Grant

Through these grants, we provide funding for initiatives that promote a deeper understanding of environmental challenges, encourage innovative approaches to addressing those challenges, and strengthen the practice of environmental professionals. By investing in both community-based efforts and the continued development of the profession, the LSPA aims to foster practical solutions, collaboration, and long-term positive impact.

The following LSPA compliance tip was introduced at the March 2026 Membership Meeting, which was held via Zoom on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 3:45-5:00 PM.

Compliance Tip  
To encourage development, the Brownfields Act exempted Eligible Persons from having to investigate the extent of soil contamination beyond the extent of their own property. However, 40.0570(1)(a) requires that a person wishing to assert that Eligible Person status and limit the Scope of Phase II investigations must file a Tier Classification (BWSC107) and Eligible Person Certification (BWSC107D) within 120 days after acquiring the property, or later only at the discretion of MassDEP. Eligible Persons are a Current Owner or Operator who did not cause or contribute to the contamination, and who did not own or operate the site at the time of the release.

Below please find updates from MassDEP BWSC, including highlights from their recent Advisory Committee Meeting, as well as a notice about their upcoming Office Hours on AEPMMs, as well as updates from the March LSP Board Meeting.

MassDEP BWSC:

Advisory Committee Meeting | February 26, 2026: This meeting covered:

The LSP Association Scholarship Fund is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 8, 2026.

The LSPA’s Scholarship Program supports continued education within environmental fields of study at colleges and universities throughout New England.  While the number and amount of the scholarships vary each year, the annual goal is to provide three to four $3,000 - $5,000 scholarships to qualified individuals.  Scholarship recipients are chosen based on several factors, including past academic performance, stated career objectives, and financial need.

The LSPA Nominations and Elections (N&E) Committee is charged with developing a slate of candidates for the LSPA Board of Directors and is seeking nominations for eligible candidates. Nominations must be received by Friday, March 13, 2026.

Overview and Process
The LSPA Board of Directors is comprised of nine members, three of whom may be Associate (non-LSP) members. Current Board members are listed on the LSPA website here. 

The following LSPA compliance tip was introduced at the February 2026 Membership Meeting, which was held via Zoom on Tuesday, February 11, 2026, from 3:45-5:30 PM.

Compliance Tip  
Per the MCP (at 310 CMR 40.1074(2)(a)5.), where an Active Exposure Pathway Mitigation Measure (AEPMM) is subject to the Obligations and Conditions and other provisions of a Notice of Activity and Use Limitation (NAUL), the sketch plan attached as an exhibit to the NAUL must show the location of the AEPMM. Furthermore, MassDEP has indicated in Notices of Noncompliance that if a sub-slab depressurization system is the AEPMM, a sketch should be provided that shows the locations of suction points, underground piping/manifold piping, and sub-slab soil vapor sampling points, if they are relevant to maintaining the condition of No Significant Risk and meeting the Obligations and Conditions of the NAUL. More than one sketch, such as a sketch of the entire NAUL area and a sketch of the area with the AEPMM, may be necessary to address issues of scale if these details are included.