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LSPA's Call for Presentations - Now Open!

The LSPA’s “school” year is about to begin and our Education Committee is looking for speakers and topics for our 2025 courses! This is a great visibility opportunity for presenters; the LSPA typically registers 100+ LSPs and other waste site cleanup practitioners per course. Do you have new research, experience, or case studies to share in the field of contaminated site assessment and remediation? We want to hear from you. Please send your suggestions to [email protected]

Providing opportunities for professional continuing education is a vital part of the LSPA's mission. From September through June, the LSPA offers continuing education courses, ranging from 2 to 8 credit hours, on technical and regulatory topics. Presentations are offered both virtually and in person. The LSPA's courses, approved by the LSP Board of Registration, are an important source of continuing education credit for members and non-members alike. 

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Updates: New Legislative Session

New Legislative Session Begins

The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aka the Massachusetts State Legislature, began a new two-year session in early 2023. Committee leadership has been appointed, and hearings have begun. The LSPA recently submitted two letters of written testimony.

We wrote a letter of support for S. 1765 and H. 2913 “An Act to extend the Brownfields tax credit” to the Joint Committee on Revenue.  These two identical bills propose to extend the Massachusetts Brownfields Tax Credit program for five years, thereby ensuring liability relief and financial incentives to clean up and redevelop contaminated properties. 

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LSPA Emerging Professionals Event: Soil Classification

What's the difference between a fine sand and a silt? What is the modified Burmister System? Earlier this week, the LSPA’s Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC) held a soil classification training that answered those questions, and more.  Michael Trovato, a Project Environmental Scientist at Tighe & Bond, presented a hands-on introduction to this topic.  Beforehand, participants enjoyed a light dinner and socializing.  We invite you to join us at our next event!  Learn more about the EPC and connect with committee chairs here.

      

AND…..we’re back in-person!

AND…..we’re back!  The LSPA was excited to hold several in-person events over the past month.

Along with MassDEP and AMWS – The Association of Massachusetts Wetland Scientists, we held two sessions of “Wetlands, Wetland Regulations, and the MCP.”  This full day course involved time exploring five wetlands field stations and got rave reviews from participants.

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LSPA Climate Change MCP Toolkit Available

The LSPA has developed a Climate Change MCP Toolkit to assist waste site cleanup practitioners as they consider the potential effects of climate change on site assessment and response actions. This is anticipated to be required by the pending amendments to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP).  

The climate change toolkit is available through links in this email as well as on the LSPA website. The tools are reflective of the framework defined in the (the SHMCAP, MA SHMCAP Portal). The SHMCAP accounts for projected changes in precipitation and temperature, sea level rise, and extreme weather events, and aims to reduce the risks associated with natural hazards and the effects of climate change.

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Seeking Your Nominations: LSPA Environmental Justice Award

The LSP Association (LSPA) requests your nominations for our 2020 "Contribution to the Practice" Awards in a new category: The LSPA Environmental Justice Award.
 
This award category was approved by the LSPA Board in early September 2020 as one action the LSPA can take to increase awareness of Environmental Justice (EJ) issues and support environmental justice communities.
In Massachusetts, a neighborhood is defined as an Environmental Justice population if any of the following are true:
  • Block group whose annual median household income is equal to or less than 65 percent of the statewide median ($62,072 in 2010); or
  • 25% or more of the residents identify as a race other than white; or
  • 25% or more of households have no one over the age of 14 who speaks English only or very well
Learn more here.
 
The LSPA Environmental Justice Award is presented to an individual or organization from the public, non-profit, or private sector for recent or continuing outstanding contributions in increasing awareness of EJ issues and/or supporting EJ communities.
 
This year, the award will be presented at the LSPA December 2020 Membership Meeting webinar.
 
If you wish to nominate a deserving person and/or organization, please email Kristi Lefebvre, LSPA Communications Mangager, at [email protected] with the nominee's name and supporting materials. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
 
Nomination applications should include the following:
  • The name and affiliation of the nominator and his or her relationship to the nominee.
  • For individuals, the name and title of the nominee and organization with which s/he is associated. For organizations, include the name and title of the key contact, and the specific name of the division, office, or department nominated. Be as specific as possible.
  • A narrative statement of no more than 2 pages describing the focus of the nomination and the nature of the nominee's contributions. The nominator will be contacted if the LSPA Board requires additional information.  
The LSPA Board of Directors will review the letters of nomination and supporting materials for all nominees, and will contact references if appropriate. The Board will discuss and then vote on nominees. Awards are made at the sole discretion of the LSPA Board of Directors. Awards are not always made in each category. There may be more than one award presented in any category.
 
Read here for more information about the LSPA's other Contribution to the Practice Award categories.
 
To view the list of prior award recipients, please click here.
 
Michele Paul, LSP, President

2019-2020 LSPA Membership Meeting Dates

Mark your calendars! The LSPA Membership Meeting dates and locations for 2019-2020 have been announced. The LSP Association's membership meetings take place monthly from September through June in the Greater Boston area. See below or click here to view the schedule for the upcoming year.
 
Member meetings are also held in Springfield, MA about four times a year; the schedule is announced as meeting topics become available. The first meeting,"Environmental Law: Part 1," is being held on September 26, 2019. 

Meeting Date & Location  Topic & Speaker
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 
Boston Marriott Newton, Newton
Liz Callahan and Paul Locke, MassDEP
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Hilton Garden Inn, Springfield
Environmental Law: Part 1
Jeanine Grachuk, Beveridge & Diamond
1.0 non-DEP Regulatory Credit
Course #1626A
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Mechanics Hall, Worcester 
Annual Dinner
October 2019
Hilton Garden Inn, Springfield
Environmental Law: Part 2

Michelle O'Brien, Pierce Atwood LLP
 1.0 non-DEP Regulatory Credit
Course #1626B
Thursday, November 21, 2019 
Doubletree Hotel, Westborough
Topic for Credit
 November 2019
Hilton Garden Inn, Springfield
 Environmental Law: Part 3

 1.0 non-DEP Regulatory Credit
Course #1626C
 December 2019
Downtown Boston Area
 Co-Sponsor the EBC Winter Garden Party 
 Thursday, January 16, 2020
Doubletree Hotel, Andover
  Topic for Credit
Michael Marley, XDD Environmental
 Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Doubletree Hotel, Westborough

 Theory and Applications of ISCO Injectate Selection and
In Situ Remediation Using Activated Carbon Based Injectates

 
Speakers from ISOTEC and AST Environmental
1.5 Technical Credits 
Course #1677
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Holiday Inn, Mansfield 
 Topic for Credit
Tuesday, April 14, 2020 
Crowne Plaza, Woburn
 Topic for Credit
 Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Doubletree Hotel, Westborough
 Topic for Credit
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Holiday Inn, Taunton 
 Topic for Credit and LSPA Scholarship Presentation
You'll notice that we've added some new locations this year -in Andover, Mansfield and Woburn, MA. The changes were based upon feedback collected in an LSPA member survey. While we can't accommodate every request received, we are listening and doing our best to adjust accordingly. Any ideas for meeting topics or locations, please let us know! You can email [email protected].
  
LSPA committee meeting dates have also been finalized for the upcoming year. Now is the perfect time to get involved, connect with a committee chair or sit in on an upcoming meeting. With eight LSPA Committees, there is something for everyone. We welcome your interest and support at any level! Click here to learn more.    
 
Annual corporate packages will be announced shortly. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email Kristi Lefebvre at [email protected] and we'll make sure you receive the information as soon as its published.


Looking for Legislative Co-Sponsors: How You Can Help

The LSP Association (LSPA) is working with Senator Anne M. Gobi (D-Spencer) in this new legislative session to pass a bill that would require insurance companies to provide coverage for residential heating oil spills. Senator Gobi, Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, is the primary sponsor of the bill (Senate Docket No.975), which is the same language as her 2017 bill.  
 
The more sponsors of the bill - the better. We are asking you, LSPA members and friends, to write to your State Senator to urge her or him to sign on as a bill co-sponsor. This is the week to get it done.
 
A simple email to your Senator is all it takes. Enter your home address here to find your Senator. An email might read:
 
Dear Senator (name):
 
As a resident of (your address) and your constituent, I am writing to respectfully ask you to join on as a co-sponsor to Senator Anne M. Gobi's bill, Senate Docket No. 975. This bill would make it mandatory for insurance companies to provide coverage for residential heating oil spills. This bill would provide important consumer and environmental protection in the unfortunate event of a home heating oil leak or spill.
 
There are over 100 such incidents in the state annually and cleanup costs can range from $20,000 to $50,000 for simple spills, to more than $300,000 for complex spills that impact both soil and groundwater.*
 
Only about 5% of all homes statewide that use oil heat have the specialized "liquid fuel release" insurance rider that would protect them. And most homeowners don't know that they are not protected under most existing homeowners policies unless they specifically opt in for this coverage by purchasing a rider for a fairly low additional premium.*
 
(If you have first-hand experience assisting with residential spill remediation or know someone who has experienced a spill, it's good to share that).
 
I encourage you to consider co-sponsoring Senate Docket No. 975.
 
Thank you, (your name and address)
 
For more information about the LSPA's bill, please read more here.
Thank you,

LSPA Legislative Committee Chairs
 
 
Kevin Beaulieu, LSP, Common Sense Environmental
Spence Smith, LSP, Jacobs


Skills Matrix: Learn More About These Sole Practitioners

LSPA’s newly-formed Sole Practitioners Group has developed a skills matrix, which lists sole practitioners along with their areas of expertise. With certain projects, you may be looking for a particular skill set or hoping to add another environmental professional to your team. This skills matrix will help you to find the best person for your team/project. The list, which is maintained by Stephen Boynton of Subsurface Environmental Solutions, LLC, chair of the Sole Practitioners Group, is available to members of that group. Please contact Steve for more information at 781.608.6119 or via mail [email protected].  

LSPA Announces New Officers and New Board Members for FY19

The LSP Association (LSPA) recently announced leadership changes to the Board of Directors as well as the election of two new Board members. These changes went into effect on July 1, 2018 and were announced to the membership at the LSPA monthly meeting, which was held on June 13, 2018 in Taunton, MA.  

The LSPA welcomes two new Board members:
  • David Leone, LSP, Associate Principal with GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. of Norwood, MA,  Director at Large.
  • Charles Young, LSP, Senior Environmental Project Manager at Stantec, of Quincy, MA, Director at Large.

Officers for this fiscal year are: 

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Introducing LSPA's Newly Formed Sole Practitioners Group

 
The LSPA's Sole Practitioners Group is comprised of LSPs, engineers, scientists, risk assessors and others who work alone or are the only one of their profession (not just LSPs) in their organization. The LSPA recognizes that these professionals do not always have access to the same resources as those in larger firms and is committed to supporting these sole practitioners.  
 
This group was formed in May 2018 and welcomes any sole practitioners who aren't already involved. Current group members are encouraged to join the group's E-List on the LSPA's website (some documentation on E-Lists). The Sole Practitioners Group has also developed a matrix of practitioners and their areas of expertise. This information will be posted on the LSPA website.
 
We will continue to share information via the LSPA website, in person and via virtual conferences on a wide variety of topics including but not limited to business practices, insurance, networking, teaming for proposals, technical support, and more.
 
Meeting dates and topics will be posted here as they become available. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Steve Boynton.
 

EPC Soil Classification Event

LSPA's Emerging Professionals Committee hosted a Soils Classification event last week at GZA GeoEnvironmental. Zachary Baum, P.E., a Geotechnical Engineer at Tighe & Bondgave a brief overview of the Modified Burmister System, focusing on different soil types and the corresponding grain sizes. Fun Fact:  The numbers given to various sieve sizes are equal to the number of holes in the sieve per inch.  Zach passed around small bags containing various soils, so everyone could get a “real-world” sense of the look and feel of each soil type. Participants then had the opportunity to get their hands dirty and team-up to classify four soil samples that had been lab analyzed for the “right” answer.  We had great turnout of 35 people, and participants were engaged both with the subject matter and one another. Here are some photographs of the event. Thanks to GZA for hosting and to Zach for his enlightening presentation.

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21J Fund Action Alert - Contact your State Representative to support funding

Ask Your State Representative to Fund the 21J/UST Program by Supporting Section 17 of the "Outside Section" of the State Budget   
 
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is expected to release its version of the FY 19 state budget on Wednesday, April 11 with debate in the House beginning on April 23, 2018. The LSPA Legislation Committee has been tasked with proactively monitoring proposed budgets and legislation for issues of interest to our membership.
 
One item of particular interest in this proposed budget, under Section 17 of the "Outside Section", is the re-establishment of a dedicated UST Fund. To fund it, the first $30 million of the UST Delivery Fee deposits each fiscal year would be deposited into this account to pay for reimbursement claims.  Currently, all of the UST Delivery Fees (approx. $78 million per year) are deposited into the Commonwealth Transportation Fund (CTF). Under the proposed language, at the end of the fiscal year, whatever funds are not used for the 21J Fund would revert to the CTF. Then beginning on July 1st of the subsequent fiscal year, up to $30 million in fees would again go into the UST Fund, and so on.
 
It is the opinion of the LSPA that re-establishing the UST Fund is a huge step forward in ensuring a reliable source of funding and sustainability for the program. As you may already know, the budget language is widely supported by industry groups, specifically the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association (NECSEMA) and New England Service Station and Auto Repair Association (NESSARA).
 
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
 
At this point in the budget debate, we hope to inform and gain the support of State Representatives during the budgeting process regarding the environmental, public health, and economic importance of the 21J/UST Program -which is often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood. It is our hope that the proposed Section 17 language will carry over into the final state budget.
 
The LSPA encourages people to email or call their State Representatives and urge them to support Section 17 of the budget "Outside Section". At this point, any calls or emails should be directed to State Representatives, not State Senators, because their budget process occurs before the State Senate's. The time is now.
 
Find your State Representative hereSuggested email language is here
 
Thank you in advance for taking action. We can make an impact!
 
Co-Chairs of the LSPA Legislative Committee:
 
Kevin Beaulieu, LSPCommonsense Environmental 
 
Spence Smith, LSP, CH2M Jacobs 

Regulations Committee: January 2018 SAC Meeting 3-minute Update

Isaac Anderson, of Cooperstown Environmental and the LSPA's Regulations Committee, briefly summarizes the following topics from the January 25, 2018 MassDEP BWSC Advisory Committee:

  • MassDEP FY 19 Governor's Budget
  • Schedule for 2018 amendments to 2014 MCP
  • MassDEP internal coordination on PFAS 
  • CAM and Method Updates on VPH
  • Natural Resource Damages regulation development 
  • SSD system telemetry challenges, pilot testing, and guidance document 


More info can be found here:  https://www.mass.gov/service-details/january-25-2018-bwscac-massdep including link to the video of the full meeting.

LSPA Membership Meeting Dates Announced for 2017-2018

Mark your calendars! The LSPA Membership Meeting dates and locations for 2017-2018 have been set. The LSP Association's membership meetings take place monthly from September through June in the Greater Boston area. Click here to view the schedule for the upcoming year.
 
If there is a meeting topic that you would like to see presented at an LSPA Membership Meeting, please contact Charles Young or Steve Beek, co-chairs of the LSPA Member Services & Program Committee.
 
LSPA committee meeting dates have also been finalized for the upcoming year. If you are interested in getting involved, now is the perfect time to connect with the committee chair or sit in on an upcoming meeting. With eight LSPA Committees, there is something for everyone. We welcome your interest and support- at any level! Click here to learn more.    
 
If you are interested in becoming a meeting sponsor or supporter, please visit the LSPA website for additional information or call 617.799.4304. Our meetings typically draw about 100 people and are a great place to showcase your company's services. 


Upcoming Events with LSPA's Young Professionals Committee


Charles River Watershed Association Invasive Species Cleanup with SAME!
July 26, 2017 at 5:00 PM
Come out and enjoy a fun night with the LSPA Young Professionals and the SAME Boston Post Young MembersWe invite you to participate in the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) Invasive Species Cleanup on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM. Everyone is welcome! 
 
From canoes, we will be removing the invasive species of water chestnuts and helping the natural ecosystem of the Charles River. Please dress accordingly, you will likely get dirty and wet: sneakers or water shoes, shorts, tshirts (preferably polyester).

We will meet at Boating in Boston at Newton Historic Boathouse, 2401 Commonwealth Avenue (Rte 30), Newton (Auburndale), MA. Parking is available at the Boating in Boston parking lot at the end of Norumbega Road.
To RSVP, please email Anne MacMillan. There is no cost to participate in this event. 

 

EBC End of Summer Bash - Co-Hosted by the LSPA Young Professionals Committee
September 19, 2017 at 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Get out and meet your fellow energy and environmental young professionals at the EBC's End-of-Summer Bash! Enjoy a variety of appetizers (fried mac & cheese bites! bratwurst sliders!) and craft beer at Coppersmith, a converted warehouse in South Boston just a five minute walk from the Red Line. You'll meet professionals from every corner of the sector - water and wastewater, energy, renewable energy, construction and sustainable buildings, environmental engineers and consultants... you name it, they'll be there!
 
A $25 registration fee includes appetizers and a drink ticket and goes directly toward offsetting the cost of the venue and provisions. Learn more about the event or click here to register.
 
 

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.

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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LSPA & EBC Young Professionals Networking Event

Join the EBC Young Environmental Professionals and the LSPA Young Professionals for a networking night at Harpoon Brewery in Boston’s Seaport. Mix and mingle with colleagues in the environmental and energy sectors and expand your network. These are the connections that will carry you through your career! 

All-you-can-eat pretzels, beer, and a tour of the Harpoon facility are included in the registration fee. Registration is capped at 50 – be sure to register today! Please note: there is a $15 registration fee which includes, pretzels, beer, and a facility tour. View Attendee List

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