Development of Standardized NRD Assessments

Information related to the development of regulations for a standardized NRD process for small spills.

MassDEP has been working to develop standard methods that will allow the Commonwealth to more efficiently seek compensatory natural resource damages (NRD) for injuries to surface waters and groundwater from releases of oil and/or hazardous materials.  

MassDEP asked interested parties to engage in a dialogue to inform the effective implementation of the standard methods by proactively identifying potential issues or concerns.

At a March 1 meeting, we discussed NRD for small to medium volume oil spills to coastal and inland surface waters and wetlands.  At an April 23rd meeting, we discussed NRD for releases of oil and/or hazardous materials to groundwater.  At these meetings we provided more details on spills and releases statewide and by watershed, the proposed methods, results of applying the methods, and the proposed regulatory and administrative framework for implementation. 

For more information about the NRD Program, visit our website at:

https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-natural-resource-damages-program

Response to Comments Received from Initial Discussions

MassDEP received a number of questions, suggestions and comments during the public discussions held in the Spring of 2018.  The document below summarizes the comments and provides an initial MassDEP response. 

As noted, many of the issues raised during the discussions will be specifically addressed or incorporated in the final draft version of the proposal and the associated documentation when it becomes available.

March 1, 2018 Meeting

At this March 1st meeting, we discussed NRD Assessments for small to medium volume oil spills to coastal and inland surface waters and wetlands.

The meeting video is presented in 8 parts (each approximately 16 minutes long).  The playlist of all 8 segments can be found on the MassDEP YouTube channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyjflLgXQVI&list=PLJn2AKOcYr7nB_AKBYqMhrxdMmsKBsRU3 

PDF versions of the slides used in this meeting are linked below, followed by segment #1 of the meeting video.

View transcript 

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April 23, 2018 Meeting

At the April 23rd meeting, we discussed NRD Assessments for releases of oil or hazardous materials to groundwater protected for its current or potential future use as drinking water. (In MCP-speak, these are GW-1 areas.)

The meeting video can be found on the MassDEP YouTube channel here:

https://youtu.be/tOu9Wm-B1Dc

Please note that, due to avoidable (but yet, not avoided) technical problems, the audio is lost for the final 25 minutes of the meeting.

PDF versions of the slides used in this meeting are linked below.

View transcript 

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Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee Meeting Discussions of NRD

At the January and April Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee meetings, MassDEP discussed the surface water and groundwater standardized NRDA proposals (respectively).

Links to the video of these meetings and associated handouts can be found on the BWSC Advisory Committee pages below.