The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), pursuant to M.G.L. c.21G, ss. 14 and 20, proposes to adopt new regulations at 310 CMR 46.00, Certification of Well Drillers and Filing of Well Completion Reports. The draft regulations, among other things, contain provisions on qualifications and requirements for well driller certification, information to be filed upon well completion, and provisions on enforcement. DEP proposes to adopt these regulations, which are a revised version of regulations previously within the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) as 313 CMR 3.00, so as to effectuate an orderly transfer of the Well Driller Program from DCR to DEP. The proposed regulations reflect the jurisdictional change of the program. Transfer of the Well Driller Program to DEP took effect on October 1, 2009.

DEP will hold a public hearing on the proposed regulations as follows:

Thursday, November 12, 2009
10:00 a.m.
Department of Environmental Protection
One Winter Street
Conference Room 2204
Boston, MA 02108

At the hearing, DEP will accept oral and written comments on the proposed regulations. DEP also will accept written comments until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 23, 2009, which must be submitted to: Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Resource Protection, One Winter Street, 5th floor, Boston, MA 02108, Attn: Stephen Hallem.

Copies of the proposed regulations will be available at the hearing, are available for review during DEP business hours at DEP's Bureau of Resource Protection, One Winter Street, 5th floor, Boston, MA 02108, and are on DEP's website at: http://www.mass.gov/dep.

For special accommodations or information in alternate format, contact Donald M. Gomes, ADA Coordinator, at 617-556-1057, TDD# 1-866-539-7622 or 1-617-574-6868. For questions on the hearing, contact Paul Blain of DEP at 617-292-5681.