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.
Find more information about the NRD 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.
Additional Resources
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Open PDF file, 365.49 KB, MassDEP Response to Stakeholder Comments (English, PDF 365.49 KB)
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). Find the playlist of all 8 segments on the MassDEP YouTube channel,
PDF versions of the slides used in this meeting are linked below, followed by segment #1 of the meeting video.
Additional Resources
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Open PDF file, 866.38 KB, Overview of NRD Authority and Applicability - 2018-03-01 (English, PDF 866.38 KB)
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Open PDF file, 646.69 KB, Standard Oil Spill NRDA Methodology - 2018-03-01 (English, PDF 646.69 KB)
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Open PDF file, 370.08 KB, Administrative Process for NRD Assessments - 2018-03-01 (English, PDF 370.08 KB)
Video: March 1, 2018 NRD Discussion
Skip this video March 1, 2018 NRD Discussion.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.)
Find the meeting video on the MassDEP YouTube channel.
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.
Additional Resources
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Open PDF file, 1.93 MB, 2018-04-26 - Proposed Groundwater NRDA Approach (English, PDF 1.93 MB)
Video: Video of the April 23, 2018 Groundwater NRDA Discussion
Skip this video Video of the April 23, 2018 Groundwater NRDA Discussion.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.