PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will receive public comment and hold public hearings on its emergency Oil Spill Prevention and Response Regulations at 314 CMR 19.00, effective February 12, 2009.  Under M.G.L. c. 30A, MassDEP must take the above actions in order to make 314 CMR 19.00 effective beyond the three month time period that this emergency regulation is in effect.

This emergency regulation implements amendments to 314 CMR 19.00 under the authority of c. 268 of the Acts of 2008, "An Act Further Protecting Buzzards Bay" (the "Oil Spill Act"), that is the responsibility of MassDEP to administer and enforce. The emergency regulation provides for 24-hour notice of intent to transit, state pilot services, and rescue tug services, for tank vessels carrying 6,000 barrels or more of oil in Buzzards Bay.

MassDEP will hold two hearings to receive public comment, both oral and written, on:

Monday, March 30, 2009   
7:00 - 9:00 pm    
Massachusetts Maritime Academy  
Admiral's Hall     
101 Academy Drive   
Buzzards Bay, MA  02532   

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
1:00 - 3:00 pm
MassDEP
Conference Rooms A and B, 2nd Floor       
One Winter Street
Boston, MA   02108

Testimony may be presented orally and/or in writing at the public hearings. Parties are requested to provide written copies of their testimony. Comments will be accepted until the close of business (5pm) on April 10, 2009, when the hearing record will close. Please submit written comments to Elizabeth Callahan, MassDEP, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108. Copies of 314 CMR 19.00 may be obtained at MassDEP's Boston and Southeast Regional offices and can also be found at
http://www.mass.gov/dep/cleanup/laws/regulati.htm#oil

By order of the Department

Laurie Burt, Commissioner