Natural Resource Damages Program Groundwater Settlements | MassDEP

Oil or chemicals can cause groundwater to become unsafe to drink. From the time it is contaminated until the time it is cleaned up, it is not available to use. How much is that lost use worth? Below are summaries of groundwater NRD settlements.

Textron/Mass Military Reservation NRD Settlement

In 2007, Trustees settled an NRD claim with a defense contractor for $1.3 million. Weapons testing at the Massachusetts Military Reservation (now known as Joint Base Cape Cod) released hazardous substances and materials to the Cape Cod aquifer. This aquifer is the sole or principal source of drinking water for the people of Cape Cod.

In 2010, the Trustees released a Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment. Following public review and comment, the Trustees selected 4 groundwater restoration projects:

• 2 projects conserved 19 acres of land in Sandwich and Mashpee for aquifer protection
• 2 projects funded water and wastewater management planning in towns that rely on the aquifer  

In 2013, the Trustees amended the Plan to provide additional funds to one of the planning projects.

The Trustee Council includes MassDEP, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sutton Brook Disposal Area NRD Settlement - Groundwater

In 2010, Trustees settled NRD claims with responsible parties at the Sutton Brook Disposal Area Superfund Site for $1.65 million. $825,000 of the settlement is for groundwater resources. The 40-acre landfill in Tewksbury contaminated groundwater and Sutton Brook.

A Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment will be prepared for public review and comment.

The Trustee Council includes MassDEP and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Blackburn & Union Privileges NRD Settlement - Groundwater

In 2011, Trustees settled NRD claims with responsible parties at the Blackburn & Union Privileges Superfund Site for $1 million.  $300,000 of the settlement is for groundwater resources.  The 22-acre industrial site in Walpole contaminated groundwater and the Neponset River.

In 2018, the Trustees released a Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment.

The Trustee Council includes MassDEP and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Nyanza NRD Settlement - Groundwater

In 1998, Trustees settled NRD claims with the responsible parties at the Nyanza Chemical Waste Dump Superfund Site for $3 million. $230,769 of the settlement is for groundwater resources. From 1917 to 1978, companies that operated on the Site in Ashland produced textile dyes. The process generated industrial wastes that contaminated groundwater and the Sudbury River.

A Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment will be prepared for public review and comment.

The Trustee Council includes MassDEP, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Getty NRD Bankruptcy Settlement

In 2015, MassDEP received $41,065 in NRD for several Getty Petroleum Marketing, Inc. sites. These funds were part of a bankruptcy settlement.

MassDEP will issue a grant announcement in 2017 for groundwater restoration projects.