LSPA News & Blog

LSPA Suspending Disbelief

If you are interested in learning more about the unique situation that resulted in the creation of the LSP profession and the privatized program in Massachusetts then please watch Suspending Disbelief, a video that was created back in 2013 in celebration of our 20th Anniversary. If you haven’t seen it yet, it is well-worth the time!

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LSPA Now Accepting Nominations for the “Contribution to the Practice Awards”

The LSP Association requests your nominations for the 2016 "Contribution to the Practice" Awards, to be presented at our Annual Dinner Meeting on Wednesday, October 26, 2016.   

If you know of a deserving candidate and wish to nominate the person and/or organization, please email Kristi Lefebvre, LSPA Communications Manager, with the nominee's name, award category and supporting materials. Deadline for nominations is Friday, July 29, 2016.    
 
Nominations are solicited in the following categories:

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LSPA Members Tour Medfield State Hospital

LSPA’s Technical Practices Committee (TPC) and Young Professionals Committee (YPC) recently traveled to the Medfield State Hospital for a tour of the facility, led by John Thompson, LSP and member of the Technical Practices Committee.

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Dover, Massachusetts LSPs Speak Out: The Dover Greenway is an Environmental Plus

Dover, Massachusetts LSPs Speak Out: The Dover Greenway is an Environmental Plus

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Join LSPA's Legislative Committee

Join LSPA's Legislative Committee

The LSPA's Legislative Committee is seeking new members for the upcoming FY 2017 year. We will hold face-to-face meetings approximately four times a year, plus monthly conference calls to discuss legislative issues. 

Legislative Committee Goals:
  • Review environmental bills in front of the Massachusetts' Legislature
  • Evaluate if the proposed legislation might impact LSPA members 
  • Start the LSPA process of discussing bills with LSPA committees and general membership
  • Recommend which bills to support and which bills to oppose
  • Inform the LSPA Board of Directors, President, Executive Director, and members about important legislation
Please consider joining the legislative committee. Your participation and enthusiasm - in whatever level of support you are able to provide - will be greatly appreciated. 
 
Kick-off conference call 
Friday, July 15 at 9:00 a.m. 
Dial-in: 712-432-1601
Passcode: 651000#

If you are unable to participate in our kick-off call, but are interested in joining our committee, please contact the legislative committee chair, Dorothy A. McGlincy.

LSPA Requests Your Comments on Draft Technical Update

LSPA Requests Your Comments on Draft Technical Update 

MassDEP has recently released the Historic Fill / Anthropogenic Background Public Comment DRAFT Technical Update. A copy is available here on the MassDEP website. The LSPA Regulations Committee is assembling comments on this 12-page draft guidance document and would like your input. Please send your comments, suggestions, and revisions to the LSPA Regulations Committee Co-Chairs by Wednesday, June 29, 2016. Click here for more information about how to do this.

LSPA Board of Directors Election

LSPA Board of Directors Election 

Election results are in for the LSPA's Board of Directors.  Marilyn Wade, LSP,  Brown & Caldwell, was re-elected for a second term.  Marilyn currently serves as the LSPA Treasurer.  Two new Board members were elected:  Patrick Corcoran, LSP, EnviroTrac, and Matthew Young, Senior Project Manager, Cumberland Farms. They were each elected for three year terms and will take office on July 1, 2016.  They will replace outgoing Board members, and Past Presidents, Matt Hackman and Paul McKinlay.  Click here for more information about these new Board members. 

Court Decides Peterborough Oil vs. MassDEP

Court Decides Peterborough Oil vs. MassDEP 

On June 6, 2016, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued its opinion in Peterborough Oil Co. v. MassDEP upholding MassDEP’s interpretation that the word “oil” in the Zone II exemption does not include leaded gasoline.   Read on for a brief summary of the decision.  The LSPA submitted an amicus brief in this case.  

LSPA Scholarship Fund 3rd Annual Golf Tournament

LSPA Scholarship Fund 3rd Annual Golf Tournament 

The LSP Association (LSPA) Scholarship Fund is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Golf Tournament. For more information, click here.

LSPA Opposes H. 695

LSPA Opposes H. 695  - A Bill That Would Affect the LSP Board Process 

The LSPA has written to the Chair of the House Ways & Means Committee of the Massachusetts Legislature expressing its strong opposition to H. 695 which would create an appeals board to hear from those aggrieved by determinations of the current LSP Board of Registration.  Read our letter here.  And contact the committee with your opinion.  

MassDEP Revisiting TCE Sites

MassDEP Revisiting TCE Sites

By Denise Kmetzo, DABT, Principal, Collaborative Risk Solutions LLC 

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LSPA Board of Directors Elections

LSPA Board of Directors Elections 

The LSPA announces Board candidates and voting to begin on May 9th. Click here to learn more about candidates and the election.

LSPA Scholarship Fund Applications Due May 2, 2016

LSPA Scholarship Fund Applications Due May 2, 2016 

March 25, 2016
The LSP Association (LSPA) Scholarship Fund is pleased to announce that it will be accepting applications for educational scholarships for the 2016 - 2017 academic year. The purpose of the scholarship program is to support continued education within environmental fields of study at colleges and universities throughout Massachusetts and New England. Application information is available here.

Happy New Year, and A Look Back at 2015

Happy New Year, and A Look Back at 2015 

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 2015. Some highlights include. 

LSPA Comments on MassDEP's Second Public Review Draft LNAPL Guidance

LSPA Comments on MassDEP's Second Public Review Draft LNAPL Guidance 

The LSPA submitted comments on December 18, 2015 to MassDEP on its Second Public Review Draft of Light Nonaqueous Phase Liquids (LNAPL) and the MCP: Guidance for Site Assessment and Closure, Policy #WSC‐14‐450. Read our cover letter and comments

MassDEP Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup Updates

MassDEP Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup Updates 

The second public review draft of the Light Nonaqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) Guidance is posted under “Draft Policies & Guidance” here.  This document has been updated to reflect public comments received on the first (July 2014) draft.  BWSC will be holding a meeting on the revised draft on Thursday November 12, 2015 at 10:00 am at MassDEP’s Boston Office, One Winter Street 2nd floor conference rooms A & B.  Please submit any written comments on the second public hearing draft by Friday December 18, 2015 to [email protected]

LSPA 22nd Annual Dinner Meeting Held

LSPA 22nd Annual Dinner Meeting Held 

The LSPA held its 22nd annual dinner meeting on October 8, 2015, at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center in Lowell, MA.  Over 280 guests were in attendance to schmooze, nosh, bid on an appealing array of silent auction items, applaud their colleagues receiving awards, and listen to guest speaker Stephen Puleo, historian and author of Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919. 

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LSPA Files Amicus Brief with MA Supreme Judicial Court

LSPA Files Amicus Brief with MA Supreme Judicial Court  

On September 30, 2015, the LSPA filed an Amicus Curiae (“Friend of the Court”) brief with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in the case of Peterborough Oil Company, LLC v. Department of Environmental Protection.  The case is on appeal from Worcester County Superior Court.   

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MassDEP Finalizes Policy on the Re-Use of Soil for Large Reclamation Projects

MassDEP Finalizes Policy on the Re-Use of Soil for Large Reclamation Projects

MassDEP’s Interim Policy on the Re-Use of Soil for Large Reclamation Projects (#COMM-15-01) is final and may be found here.   

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

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.