Natural Resource Damages Program Manufactured Gas Plant Settlements

Manufactured gas plants, or MGPs, made gas for lighting, heating, and cooking. They operated from the mid 1800s until the mid 1900s. Heating coal and oil to make gas also created waste tars and ash. Below are summaries of NRD settlements at MGP sites.

Gloucester Manufactured Gas Plant Site NRD Settlement

In 2023, Trustees settled NRD claims with the responsible party at a former Manufactured Gas Plant in Gloucester for $5,380,000. Hazardous chemicals released by the former manufactured gas plant contaminated soils and groundwater, as well as sediment in the adjacent Gloucester Harbor. Those contaminants resulted in injuries to natural resources. The Trustees, working with the public, will use the funds to implement one or more natural resource restoration projects.

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

Additional Resources

Gloucester MGP Site NRD Consent Decree

Holyoke Coal Tar 21E Site NRD Settlement

In 2004, Trustees settled NRD claims with responsible parties at a former Manufactured Gas Plant in Holyoke for $500,000. Historic operations released coal tar and oil to Connecticut River surface water and sediment. Tar deposits harmed fish and freshwater mussels and their habitats.

In 2012, the Trustees released a Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment. Following public review and comment, the Trustees selected 3 restoration projects:

• Bartlett Rod Shop Company Dam removal on Amethyst Brook

• Fishway on the Manhan River

• Freshwater mussel surveys

In 2015, the Trustees amended the Plan to provide funds to remove a timber dam on Amethyst Brook and control water chestnut in the Connecticut River.

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

Additional Resources

Holyoke Coal Tar NRD Settlement Consent Decree

Holyoke Coal Tar NRD Trustee Council Memorandum of Agreement

Holyoke Coal Tar NRD Final Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment

Amendment to Holyoke Coal Tar Final Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment

Island End River Coal Tar NRD Settlement

In 2008, Trustees settled NRD claims with responsible parties at a former Manufactured Gas Plant in Everett for $300,000. Historic operations released of coal tar and oil to the Island End River. The Island End River is a small tributary of the Mystic River, which empties into Boston Harbor. Tar deposits on sediment harmed fish and and their habitats.

In 2015, the Trustees released a Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment. Following public review and comment, the Trustees selected a restoration project to restore 1.3 acres area of salt marsh at Oak Island in Revere. The Trustees' project is located next to 4.38 acres of wetland mitigation completed by the responsible parties.

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

Additional Resources

NOAA Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program Island End River

Island End River NRD Settlement EEA

Island End River NRD Settlement NOAA Beazer East

Island End River NRD Settlement NOAA National Grid

Island End River NRD Settlement NOAA Honeywell

Island End River Final Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment