May 2013
17 - Public Comment Deadline: Proposed Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) Amendments
23 - May Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee Meeting and Soil Management Discussion
29 - MassDEP/LSPA Training Seminar: “Downgradient Property Status"
June 2013
11 - Public Hearing: Revised Drinking Water Criteria for 2014 PEF Applications
12 - MassDEP/LSPA Training Seminar "Characterization of #2 Fuel Oil Spills"
13 - Conference: "State of the Cape: Changing Waters & Shorelines"
25 - Meeting: Solid Waste Advisory Committee
July 2013
16 - Training: Meeting MassDEP Regulatory Requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act
17 - Training: Meeting MassDEP Regulatory Requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act
18 - Training: Meeting MassDEP Regulatory Requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act
Proposed Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) Amendments
Public Comment Period:
Ends 5/17/2013
The proposed MCP amendments, part of MassDEP's Regulatory Reform Initiative, are intended to enhance program efficiency while maintaining a high standard of environmental protection. Specifically, the proposals:
- Eliminate Tier I Permits and streamline the disposal site classification system;
- Streamline Notice of Activity & Use Limitation (NAUL) requirements (NAULs are deed notices put in place to limit future use of properties where residual contamination remains after cleanup);
- Improve site closure-related requirements by clarifying source control provisions, facilitating closure at sites with active exposure pathway elimination measures, and providing transparency in documenting any conditions relevant to maintaining closure or site redevelopment;
- Revise definitions, assessment and closure requirements related to Nonaqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL) to reflect updated science on the behavior of NAPL in the subsurface environment; and
- Revise numeric cleanup standards and notification thresholds by incorporating the most recent chemical toxicity information for a number of chemicals.
May Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee Meeting and Soil Management Discussion
May 23, 2013 - DEP Boston Office
MassDEP/LSPA Training Seminar
May 29, 2013 - DEP Southeast Regional Office
On Tuesday, May 14th at 1:00 PM, registration will open for the upcoming MassDEP/LSPA course entitled Downgradient Property Status .
Wetlands & Waterways, Water Quality Certification, and Wastewater Regulatory Reform
Public Comment Period Extended:
Ends 5/30/2013
The proposed regulation revisions, part of MassDEP's Regulatory Reform Initiative, are intended to enhance program efficiency while maintaining a high standard of environmental protection. The revisions affect the following regulations:
- Wetlands Protection - 310 CMR 10.00
- Waterways - 310 CMR 9.00
- Water Quality Certification - 314 CMR 9.00
- Title 5, governing septic systems - 310 CMR 15.000
- Sewer connection and extension permitting - 310 CMR 7.00
- Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Treatment Works - 314 CMR 12.00
- Operation Certification requirements promulgated by the Board of Certification of Operators of Wastewater Treatment Facilities - 257 CMR 2.00
- Land Application of Wastewater Sludge and Septage - 310 CMR 32.00
- Permitting Procedures for Ground, Surface and Reclaimed Water Discharges - 314 CMR 2.00
- Surface Water Quality Standards – Site Specific Criteria - 314 CMR 4.00
Draft 2011 Greenhouse Gas Emission Factors for Retail Sellers of Electricity
Public Comment Period:
Ends June 6, 2013
The Massachusetts Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Rule requires all retail sellers of electricity (including competitive suppliers, electric utilities, municipal electric departments and municipal light boards) to report GHG emissions associated with the electricity they sell. MassDEP is accepting public comment on its draft 2011 GHG Emission Factors and the methodologies, data sources and calculations used to determine them. Final Emission Factors will be used by retail sellers to report GHG emissions.
Revised Drinking Water Criteria for 2014 PEF Applications
Public Comment Period:
Ends June 14, 2013
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Division of Municipal Services, is proposing a major revision in the method used to score and rank Project Evaluation Forms (PEFs) for Drinking Water projects seeking financial assistance through the Commonwealth’s State Revolving Fund (SRF).
The proposed new scoring system, as described in the 2014 Drinking Water PEF Form and Instruction & Guidance document, will categorize incoming Drinking Water PEF proposals into one of 5 Tier Categories; each having a set point value. The Tier categories are designed to identify the most important drinking water proposals in terms of public health. The proposed new scoring system is an attempt to further ensure that proposed drinking water projects addressing the greatest public health needs are given priority for SRF funding assistance.
The MassDEP will conduct a public hearing on the new proposed scoring system on Tuesday June 11, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the MassDEP Boston Office, One Winter Street, 2nd Floor, Conference Room 2212C.
Oral and written testimony will be received relative to the Department’s proposed scoring/ranking system for future Drinking Water PEFs. Those desiring to provide written testimony must deliver copies to the MassDEP Boston Office no later than the close of business on Friday, June 14, 2013.
Both the proposed revised Drinking Water PEF Form and Instruction and Guidance document can be found on the MassDEP SRF web page.
MassDEP/LSPA Training Seminar
June 12, 2013 - Northeast Regional Office
On Tuesday, May 21st at 1:00 PM, registration will open for half the seats for the upcoming MassDEP/LSPA course entitled "Characterization of #2 Fuel Oil Spills " and registration for the remaining 35 course seats will open on Wednesday, May 22nd at 11:00 AM.
"State of the Cape" Conference: Changing Waters & Shorelines
June 13-14, 2013 - Hyannis, MA
First Annual Cape Coastal Conference entitled "State of the Cape: Changing Waters & Shorelines", sponsored by Waquoit Bay Reserve with assistance from MassDEP and other state agencies and environmental organizations. Topic Highlights:
- Linking Science with Local Solutions and Decision Making
- Restoring Water Quality
- Managing Wastewater
- Protecting Ponds
- Preserving Ecosystem Services
- Planning for Sea-level Rise
- Building Resilience to Coastal Hazards
- Adapting to Climate Change
For more information contact Waquoit Bay Reserve: email Tonna-Marie.Surgeon-Rogers or call 508-457-0495 x110.
