MCP Amendments

A PDF of the current (2024) MCP, effective March 1, 2024.

In order to highlight changes that have been made to the regulations, MassDEP has prepared redline/strikeout documents that compare the final 2024 MCP to past versions:

• A comparison of the final 2024 regulations to the current (2019) version of the MCP;
• A comparison of the final 2024 Massachusetts Oil and Hazardous Materials List (MOHML) to the current (2019) version of the MOHML;
• A comparison of the final 2024 regulations to what was proposed in the 2019 Public Hearing Draft of the MCP.

The documents below summarize comments received and changes incorporated into the final 2024 MCP revisions.

Summary of 2024 MCP Amendments Process and Comments

Response to Public Comments on the Public Hearing Draft of Proposed Amendments to the MCP

• Interim Guidance on Implementing Activity and Use Limitations

March 1, 2024 – MassDEP is issuing this Interim Guidance on Implementing Activity and Use Limitations (Interim AUL Guidance) for public review, at the conclusion of which it intends to consider comments received and issue a final guidance. This Interim AUL Guidance supersedes previous AUL Guidance drafts. Please send written comments on this Interim AUL Guidance by close of business on June 5, 2024 (this review deadline has been extended from May 1, 2024) to Margaret Shaw by email to Margaret.Shaw@mass.gov or by mail to Margaret Shaw, MassDEP/BWSC, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114. You may also reach Margaret Shaw by telephone at (617) 874-6467.

Interim Guidance on Implementing Activity and Use Limitations

• Risk Characterization Guidance, Chapters 1-5, Public Review Draft

March 1, 2024 – MassDEP is issuing this Draft Guidance for Disposal Site Risk Characterization (Risk Characterization Guidance), Chapters 1 through 5, for public review, at the conclusion of which it intends to consider comments received and issue a final guidance. Additional chapters of the draft Risk Characterization Guidance will be released for public review and comment in additional phases. Please send written comments on this document by close of business on June 5, 2024 (this review deadline has been extended from May 1, 2024) to Greg Braun by email to  Greg. Braun@mass.gov or by mail to Greg Braun, MassDEP/ORS, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114. You may also reach Greg Braun by telephone at (781) 697-4843.

Risk Characterization Guidance, Chapters 1-5, Public Review Draft

• Risk Characterization Guidance, Chapters 6-10, Public Review Draft

June 12, 2024 – MassDEP is issuing this Draft Guidance for Disposal Site Risk Characterization (Risk Characterization Guidance), Chapters 6 through 10, for public review, at the conclusion of which it intends to consider comments received and issue a final guidance. Additional chapters of the draft Risk Characterization Guidance will be released for public review and comment in additional phases. Please send written comments on this document by close of business on September 12, 2024 to Greg Braun by email to  Greg. Braun@mass.gov or by mail to Greg Braun, MassDEP/ORS, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114. You may also reach Greg Braun by telephone at (781) 697-4843.

Risk Characterization Guidance, Chapters 6-10, Public Review Draft

• Method 1 Standards Spreadsheets

March 1, 2024 - The spreadsheets below summarize all risk-based Method 1 standards (effective March 1, 2024) and their derivations for soil and groundwater. (April 30, 2024 - the units for groundwater Reportable Concentrations were corrected. See the "Revision Note" in the zip file.)

Zip file containing Method 1 standards spreadsheets

• Summary of Numerical Standard Changes

The document below summarizes changes to MCP numerical standards that take effect on March 1, 2024.  Prior to March 1, 2024, the revised Method 1 Groundwater and Soil Standards (Tables 1 through 4) and the revised Method 2 Soil Standards (Table 5) may be used as part of an MCP Risk Characterization pursuant to 310 CMR 40.0982(7).

Summary of Changes to MCP Numerical Standards

• Updated Shortforms 

7/2/24 - The Method 3 Human Health Risk Assessment shortforms have been updated and are available for use at Risk Assessment Information.  These updates incorporate updated toxicity information and risk assessment practices consistent with the 2024 MCP amendments.

These updates include new Shortforms that estimate risks for office workers, teachers and students as well as the previously posted exposure scenarios. The method for adding chemicals to the Shortforms has been revised and is described in the user guide (SFUG0624). The v0624 (vlookup or toxicity workbook) has been modified such that toxicological parameters are now password protected to avoid inadvertent changes and so that any changes made will be more apparent. This update also includes an index file (SFIndex0624) of all the Shortforms as well as a document (SFVC0624) which explains changes in this version as well as previous revisions to the Shortforms.

• Activity and Use Limitation Forms

March 1, 2024 - The document below contains the Activity and Use Limitation forms that must be used to implement an Activity and Use Limitation on or after March 1, 2024.

AUL Forms

• 2024 MCP Amendments Questions & Answers

March 29, 2024 – The document below contains Q&As related to the 2024 MCP amendments.  MassDEP will be adding additional Questions and Answers to this document and revising the date of the document to indicate updates have been made. 

MCP Amendments Q&A: 03-29-24

• Letter to Local Officials

April 29, 2024  - The document below is a letter sent by MassDEP to local officials (Chief Municipal Officers and Boards of Health) about the amended MCP provision at 310 CMR 40.1403(2)(a) that provides for written notices concerning MCP response actions to be sent to local officials by email if the local official is agreeable to receiving written notices by email.

Letter to Local Officials about Option to Receive Written Notices by Email