LSPA Comments on MassDEP's Draft Interim Policy on Reclamation Soils 

The LSPA submitted comments to MassDEP on its Draft Interim Policy on Reclamation Soil. Read our letter.  

LSPA Board of Directors Elected 

The LSPA membership has elected Susan O'Brien, LSP of Amec Foster Wheeler, for a first term on the LSPA Board.  Two current Board members were re-elected for second terms:  Mike Billa, LSP of Tetra Tech, and Mike Penzo, LSP, Consulting Hydrogeologist.  They were each elected for three year terms and will take office on July 1, 2015.  

MassDEP Publishes Draft Interim Policy on Reclamation Soils

MassDEP has prepared a DRAFT Interim Policy on the Re-Use of Soil for Large Reclamation Projects; the draft policy is now available on MassDEP’s Reclamation Soil blog (https://reclamationsoil.wordpress.com/).  Comments are due to MassDEP by June 17, 2015.  
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Massachusetts Geological Society is Formed

The LSPA has learned about the recent formation of the Massachusetts Geological Society. http://MassGeoSociety.org

Governor Baker Issues Executive Order to Reduce Unnecessary Regulatory Burden

On March 31, 2015, Governor Baker issued Executive Order No. 562 requiring all state agencies to review regulations based on a variety of criteria found in the document.  Read some reactions here. 

Scholarship Fund is Now Accepting Applications for Educational Scholarships

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Call for Golfers: May 26, 2015 LSPA Scholarship Fund 2nd Annual Golf Tournament

Sign up here to become a sponsor and to play.

LSPA Seeks Comments from Members on MassDEP's Draft Vapor Intrusion Guidance

MassDEP's draft guidance document on vapor intrusion has been published here. 

LSPA Submits Comments to MassDEP on Public Review Draft, Vapor Intrusion Guidance 

The LSPA sent a cover letter and matrix of comments to MassDEP on its October 2014 Public Review Draft of Vapor Intrusion Guidance, Policy #WSC-14-435.

LSPA Submits Comments to MassDEP on Public Review Draft, Vapor Intrusion Guidance 

The LSPA sent a cover letter and matrix of comments to MassDEP on its October 2014 Public Review Draft of Vapor Intrusion Guidance, Policy #WSC-14-435.

Overview of 2014 MCP 2014 Regulatory Changes: Characterizing and Closing Out NAPL Sites 

The LSPA has prepared an overview as part of a series of topic discussions and resourc  MCP 2014 Regulatory Changes es pertaining to the 2014 MCP changes; this first in the series provides a discussion of key aspects of  the investigation and closure of NAPL sites. Read more.

MassDEP Publishes Guidance on Best Management Practices ("BMPs") for Non-Commercial Gardening at Disposal Sites, WSC # 14-910.

December 2014

LSPA Submits Comments on MassDEP's Draft Guidance for LNAPL Site Assessment and Closure

The LSPA sent a cover letter and a compilation of comments to MassDEP on its July 1, 2014 
Public Review Draft, LNAPL and the MCP: Guidance for Site Assessment and Closure - Policy #WSC-14-450. BWSC is planning a meeting on this topic on December 16, 2014 from 1:00 - 3:30 pm in Boston.

MassDEP's Vapor Intrusion Draft Guidance

The public review draft of the Vapor Intrusion Guidance is now posted here.  MassDEP will be holding a pre-comment stakeholder discussion of this draft on December 11, 2014, MassDEP, One Winter Street, Boston, 2nd floor, from 9:30 am to noon.  Written comments on this public review draft should be submitted to [email protected] by February 2, 2015.

LSPA Submits Comments on MassDEP's Draft Activity and Use Limitations (AUL) Guidance

On September 22, 2014, the LSPA sent a letter and submitted comments to MassDEP on its June 2014 Public Review Draft, "Guidance on Implementing Activity and Use Limitations – Policy #WSC14-300". MassDEP is revising its guidance on AULs to accompany the newly amended MCP.

Updated TCE Documents

MassDEP has recently made minor revisions to two TCE-related documents (last updated in March, 2014):

1. TCE Toxicity Information:  Implications for Chronic and Shorter-Term Exposure – Fact Sheet (August 15, 2014)

• tcestat.doc (360 KB, MS Word)
• tcestat.pdf (764 KB, PDF)

1. EPA Trichloroethylene Toxicity Values and ORS Recommendations Regarding Remediation Targets & Timeframes to Address Potential Developmental Risks (August 15, 2014)

• tcevalsm.doc (245 KB, MS Word)
• tcevalsm.pdf (186 KB, PDF)

Provisions of the Amended MCP are Fully in Effect

The 2014 MCP is fully in effect.  While most provisions took effect on June 20, 2014, there were certain regulations that became effective on April 25, 2014.  The "unofficial" version of the MCP is available on the DEP website, along with new MCP Questions and Answers.

Request for Information on EPH Results

by: The LSPA Technical Practices Committee

LSPA Awards WES Professional Practice Grant to Haley & Aldrich Team

The LSPA is pleased to announce that a WES Professional Practice Grant has been awarded to the Haley & Aldrich team of Richard Rago, Kristina McCarthy, and Jane Parkin Kullman for their  proposal entitled “Background Indoor Air Levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Air-Phase Petroleum Hydrocarbons (APH) in Office Buildings, Commercial Buildings, and Schools."  This is the first WES Grant awarded since its inception.

Redevelop Brownfields Safely

Read the Boston Globe editorial "Redevelop brownfields safely - new state rules will help" (April 14, 2014). An LSPA letter provided background info.