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Greener Cleanup Leadership Recognition Program 2017

Apply by June 30, 2017 for MassDEP's FY 2017 Greener Cleanup Leadership Recognition Program
 
MassDEP's Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup (BWSC) is sponsoring a Greener Cleanup Leadership Recognition Program to further promote cleanup approaches that consider all the environmental effects of assessing and remediating contaminated sites. MassDEP will recognize the person(s), entity, or project that demonstrates professional performance in the promotion, development, evaluation and implementation of activities intended to reduce the net environmental footprint of site assessment and remediation conducted in accordance with the MCP. 
Eligibility: 
  • Any response action submittal completed in accordance with applicable requirements of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) in consideration of the "Greener Cleanup" elements prescribed at 310 CMR 40.0191 and, as applicable, at 310 CMR 40.0858. 
  • Any response action completed between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017.  
Submission for selection must be received by MassDEP no later than June 30, 2017
  • Nominate yourself or a colleague by emailing Thomas Potter and/or Susan Fessenden
    • Include: Release Tracking Number (RTN), submittal type/name, submittal date.
  • MassDEP will also independently review Response Action submittals 
For more details, contact Thomas M. Potter, LEED Green Assoc.® | Chief, Clean Energy Development CoordinatorMassDEP | Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup, 617.292.5628, [email protected].
 
Climate & Clean Energy on the web: Climate & Clean Energy | MassDEP

LSPA Presents March Compliance Tip

March 16, 2017
The LSPA presented the following monthly compliance tip on March 16, 2017. 

“Greener Cleanup evaluations” or considerations are not only called out in the MCP under Phase III (Detailed Evaluation Criteria for selecting a comprehensive remedy at 310 CMR 40.0858[4][c]), but also under Response Action Performance Standard (RAPS) at 310 CMR 40.0191(3)(e). 
 
Therefore, Greener Cleanup practices should be considered in all MCP Phases, except during time critical responses (e.g., “2-hour” and “72-hour” reportable conditions). MassDEP provides assistance in the Greener Cleanups Guidance, WSC #14 – 150 (October 2014).

Click here to view all published compliance tips. This document is also posted in the Members Only section of the website under Technical Resources.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Remediation General Permit

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Remediation General Permit
Signed by EPA and MassDEP

By: Isaac Anderson, Project Manager, Cooperstown Environmental and LSPA Technical Practices Committee Member

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21J Fund: A Funding Crisis and How You Can Help

 
An important funding mechanism for underground storage tank clean-ups in Massachusetts is in jeopardy and your assistance is needed.
 
The Massachusetts Underground Storage Tank (UST) Petroleum Product Cleanup Fund (commonly referred to as the 21J Fund) was created in 1991 to prevent the need for environmental cleanup actions through encouraging UST maintenance and compliance, and to expedite environmental cleanup actions by providing partial reimbursement to owners or operators of UST systems for costs, expenses and other obligations incurred as a result of releases of petroleum products from UST systems. 
 
Due to a current state budget deficit, the fund was reduced in 2017 and now, an approximate $6 million deficit in unpaid claims (claims processed and approved but unable to be paid) is projected for the end of FY 2017. To further compound this problem, the Governor's FY 2018 budget recommendation only includes $6 million for the 21J Fund. This would only be enough to fund the projected FY 2017 deficit.  
 
How You Can Help:  Please, reach out to your state senator and state representative to let them know the importance of providing adequate and predictable funding for the UST Cleanup Fund. You can identify your legislator using this link.
 
Click here to learn more.

Do You Have Sites Where Homeowners Have Struggled with Cleanup Costs From Heating Oil Spills?

The LSPA's Legislative Committee has drafted legislation which would require insurers to provide coverage for releases from above ground residential heating oil storage tanks. Currently, insurers are only required to make coverage available upon request; they do not have to inform their customers that this coverage is available. The bill has been assigned Senate #534, but we still need your help to ensure that the bill becomes a law. 
 
We are seeking case studies and contact information for homeowners who were denied insurance coverage due to pollution exclusions, were burdened by the costs of a release at their home, and are willing to share their stories in hopes of preventing similar hardships for other homeowners in the future. Such stories are critical to gaining legislative support and getting the bill passed into law.  

How You Can Help: Do you know any homeowners who may be willing to share their experiences with the LSPA? If so, please contact a Co-Chair of the LSPA's Legislative Committee, Dot McGlincy or Lauren Konetzny. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Click here for more information on why this bill is so important.  

American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists Offers Certification in Hazardous Waste Management and Site Remediation

The links below provide information on eligibility requirements, specialty certifications, the application package, and who to contact for more information. 
To learn more about the Academy:  http://www.aaees.org/
For general membership and certification information:  http://www.aaees.org/membership.php

 

LSPA Comments on MassDEP's DRAFT Fact Sheet Guidance on Sampling and Analysis for PFAS at Disposal Sites Regulated under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan

LSPA Comments on MassDEP's DRAFT Fact Sheet Guidance on Sampling and Analysis for PFAS at Disposal Sites Regulated under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan.
As the presence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (together, PFAS) become more commonly identified and sampled at MCP sites, LSPs and other practitioners need guidance on sampling protocols, analytical methods, and reporting limits. MassDEP's draft guidance begins to address these issues. LSPA comments are embedded in the draft fact sheet.  

4th Annual Golf Tournament Save the Date

LSP Association Scholarship Fund 

4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Please join us on Wednesday, June 14 for the 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the Highfields Golf Course! Golfer registration includes lunch on course, drink ticket and Highfields grilled dinner at reception. Last year's tournament was a huge success and this year is shaping up to be even better!  
 
Save the Date
Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Location
 Highfields Golf Course, 42 Magill Drive, Grafton - Directions
Event Schedule: 9:00 AM Registration
                             10:00 AM Shotgun Start:  
                             2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Reception, Raffle and Awards

LSPA Presents to Massachusetts Association of Health Boards

LSPA Presents to Massachusetts Association of Health Boards

For the second year in a row, representatives of the LSPA presented a workshop at the annual training conference of the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards (MAHB). This conference is specifically targeted to elected and appointed Board of Health members in Massachusetts. Many health agents and public health nurses also attend.

On November 5, 2016, and again on November 12, 2016, the LSPA program, “Case Study of a Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup” was delivered in Taunton and Marlborough, respectively, as part of the Community and Environmental Health section of the conference. Presenters for the LSPA were Cosmo Gallinaro, LSP, LSPA Board Member, and Isaac Anderson, former Chair of the Technical Practices Committee (Nov. 5th), and Mike Penzo, LSP, LSPA President and Marilyn Wade, LSP, LSPA President Elect (Nov. 12th). Each session drew about a dozen engaged registrants with real, immediate issues and concerns.

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LSPA Unveils February's Compliance Tip of the Month

February 9, 2017
The LSPA unveiled the following monthly compliance tip on February 9, 2017. 

"When to check the “orders, permits, and approvals” box in the "Required Attachment and Submittals Section" of a BWSC transmittal form? 

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LSPA Homeowner Oil Proposal

Thank you to Paul Locke and the MassDEP for posting this video on LinkedIn today. The LSPA looks forward to providing updates as the legislation progresses through the committee process.

January Membership Meeting

Thank you to everyone who helped make last night’s Membership Meeting a success:

  • Our very generous sponsors: Clean Earth Inc., Test America and Regenesis. Please take a moment to check out their websites. We appreciate their participation and look forward to continued collaboration.

                          

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Update on EPA's Remediation General Permit

By: Isaac Anderson, Project Manager, Cooperstown Environmental and LSPA Technical Practices Committee Member

Many of you know that the 2010 Remediation General Permit (RGP), issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1 (EPA) under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), expired in September 2015. As noted in the LSPA email blast sent on September 15, 2016, the Draft RGP was published in the Federal Register on August 18, 2016, and EPA accepted public comments until September 19, 2016. What many of you are left wondering is, what happens next, and what should you do in the interim if you have a project that requires coverage under the RGP before the new RGP is available?

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Thanks Young Professionals for Hosting Trivia Night!

The LSPA Young Professionals hosted a successful networking and trivia night at Lowell Beerworks on December 7, 2016. Six teams competed in general knowledge trivia for prizes. The first place team, comprised of Eric Andrews, Amanda Cantara, Ryan Farrell, Kate Hanrahan, and Michael Penzo, won by a large margin. A tense tie-breaker decided the second and third place teams.

A special thanks to LSPA Platinum sponsor, Alpha Analytical, for providing prizes to the top three teams and also offering extra prizes for bonus questions!

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Happy New Year, and a Look Back at 2016

With the support and participation of over 800 members, and generous corporate and event sponsors, 
the LSPA was able to accomplish a great deal in 2016. Some highlights include:

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BWSC Greener Cleanups Workgroup Meeting

There will be a BWSC Greener Cleanups Workgroup Meeting on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at MassDEP, One Winter Street, Boston, Conference room A-2212 (click here for directions). The preliminary agenda will include a presentation/discussion of the following:  

1.       Clean Energy Legislative & Regulatory Updates 

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Happy Thanksgiving

MassDEP Honors Four LSP Association Members With Greener Cleanups Awards

MassDEP Honors Four LSP Association Members With Greener Cleanups Awards


Belmont, MA (November 2016)The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the state agency responsible for the cleanup of oil and hazardous waste sites and spills, recently honored four members of the LSP Association (LSPA) with Greener Cleanups Awards at the LSPA’s September Membership Meeting in Newton, MA.

The Greener Cleanups Awards were presented to the following Licensed Site Professionals (LSPs) and their clients for demonstrating professional stewardship in promoting Greener Cleanup principles and practices to reduce the overall net environmental footprint of hazardous waste site cleanup response actions implemented under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan:


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LSPA Unveils New Compliance Tip of the Month

November 16, 2016
The LSPA's Loss Prevention Committee, unveiled the following monthly compliance tip at November's Membership Meeting.

An LSP can sign a MassDEP Materials Shipping Record (MSR), and if the LSP has another credential such as a P.E. or P.G., the LSP can stamp the form with that other credential subject to its rules. However, an LSP cannot use the LSP seal on an MSR form. According to LSP Board Advisory Ruling 98-01, an LSP "must not use his or her seal when signing other documents," meaning documents other than formal waste site cleanup activity opinions.


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MassDEP Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee Meeting

As mentioned at the MassDEP Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee meeting last month, there will be a meeting on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 to discuss possible revisions to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan provisions concerning Imminent Hazards.

The meeting will be begin at 9:30 am and will be located in Conference Room C on the 2nd floor of MassDEP’s 1 Winter Street, Boston office.  (The duration of the meeting will depend upon the depth and breadth of the discussion. The room is reserved until 12:00 pm.) Please click here for directions.  

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