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.

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. 

On January 30, 2026, the amendments made to 309 CMR 1.00-9.00 were published in the Massachusetts Register.

Amendment Process
The LSP Board began the amendment process in 2024 and issued draft amendments for public comment on May 27, 2025. The LSPA testified at a public hearing on June 16, 2025, and submitted comments on June 26, 2025.

The 2026 Massachusetts Envirothon will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Hopkinton State Park. This dynamic, hands-on event is where high school students step into the role of environmental problem-solvers. Student teams tackle real-world challenges across forestry, soils, water, and wildlife, and present innovative solutions to issues facing Massachusetts communities. This year’s theme, Living Sponge Communities: Strategies for Mitigating Environmental Impacts from Stormwater, brings urgency and creativity together—connecting climate resilience and land use in powerful ways.

The LSPA is proud to be an EcoStation Sponsor at the Envirothon, but we are also coordinating a group of LSPA members to volunteer at the event. Volunteers can assist for the full day or half a day, and in the following roles:

The following LSPA compliance tip was introduced at the January 2026 Membership Meeting, which was held via Zoom on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 3:45-5:00 PM.

Compliance Tip  
Under 310 CMR 40.0041(7)(h), treatment works systems must have clearly posted contact information identifying the “person to contact in the event of a malfunction in an accessible readily visible location.” In practice, this information is posted when a system is first installed, but is not always revisited during long-term system operation. Because personnel and staffing responsibilities can change over time, posted contact information should be reviewed and updated as appropriate to ensure it remains accurate and compliant.

Happy New Year to our LSPA community!

We continue to be inspired by the commitment and collaboration of the LSPA community. In 2025—a year of transition and significant accomplishment—our members came together through knowledge sharing, mentorship, advocacy, and education to advance our practice, support the next generation of professionals, and strengthen the waste site cleanup profession in Massachusetts. The LSPA’s impact is driven by your generosity, expertise, and dedication—you are what makes this association thrive.

In 2023, the LSPA awarded a “30for30” grant* to support the Sanderson Street Pocket Park project in Greenfield, MA. Led by the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) and the Youth Climate Action of Franklin County (YCAFC), in collaboration with the City of Greenfield, Greenfield Middle School, and The Brick House Community Resource Center, the project transformed underutilized municipal land into a vibrant, community-centered green space—while training young people as environmental leaders and stewards.

About the Project Organizers
CRC works to restore and advocate for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities throughout the Connecticut River watershed. YCAFC is a grassroots organization that creates climate-resilient landscapes while engaging youth in environmental justice neighborhoods across Franklin County.

The following LSPA practice tip was introduced at the December 2025 Membership Meeting, which was held via Zoom on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 3:45-5:00 PM.

Practice Tip  
When any PFAS related to a disposal site are detected in private drinking water wells, LSPs and their clients must mitigate this Critical Exposure Pathway under the MCP. However, detections of PFAS in water can be highly dependent on the reporting limits achieved for the analysis. USEPA analytical methods require extraction of the entire sample volume of the sample bottle. As a result, the reporting limit is inherently tied to sample volume (e.g., a 250 mL sample vs. a 290 mL sample). Therefore, even small differences in bottle fill levels can lead to minor, but meaningful, variations in reported concentrations. As with any sampling program, samples should be collected methodically and in accordance with the MassDEP CAM and the relevant analytical method to provide a representative analytical result. In the case of PFAS, sample bottles should be the same size and filled to a consistent volume to improve data comparability and defensibility.

The Board of Registration of Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Professionals (LSP Board) has announced its Spring 2026 exam dates for those seeking to become an LSP.  

• Wednesday, April 8, 2026
• Thursday, April 9, 2026
• Friday, April 10, 2026

About the LSP Exam
To sit for the exam, candidates must first be deemed eligible by the LSP Board. Eligibility requirements include a combination of education, professional experience, and demonstrated good moral character, as outlined in 309 CMR 3.02.

MassDEP’s Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup (BWSC) held its quarterly Advisory Committee meeting on November 20, 2025. The full agenda and recording are available on MassDEP’s website. Key takeaways for LSPA members are summarized below.

1. Administrative Updates: