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Significant changes to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (310 CMR 40.0000), the MassDEP’s governing regulatory framework regarding the assessment and remediation of spills and releases of oil and/or hazardous materials, were promulgated on April 24, 2014 for the first time in nearly 8 years. Among these changes include amendments related to the Tier Classification process, site closure Vapor Intrusion, NAPL, AULs, etc. Amendments to the MCP also include changes in how the MassDEP governs one of the most common characteristics of historic industrial sites, ‘Urban Fill Materials’. Learn More

To ensure the quality of Environmental Site Assessments (ESA’s), the ASTM and AAI standards contain specific educational and experience requirements for an Environmental Professional (EP) conducting these assessments. In order to qualify as an EP, an individual must satisfy at least one of the following: Learn More

Confusion at times arises when considering what technique is preferable in groundwater sampling, the use of low-flow peristaltic pump systems or hand bailers. The choice of technique in purging a groundwater monitoring well is generally a function of the well diameter, the depth to the water table, the depth of the well itself, the amount of sediment in the well, and the amount of water that is to be removed during purging. Learn More

Non-Scope Considerations are not included as part of the Scope of Work of the ASTM E1527-13 standard, but can be included in the Phase I Report at the request of the report users. Some of the most common non-scope considerations described in the Standard are summarized in this article; and additional non-scope items can also be included. Learn More

The new ASTM Standard 1527-13 utilized in the preparation of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) went into effect in November of 2013. One of the changes in the new standard is the revised definition of a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC) and a Historical Recognized Environmental Condition (HREC); and the addition of a new term, Controlled Recognized Environmental Condition (CREC). Learn More

After an environmental assessment, the last thing a property manager wants to hear is that monitoring wells have to be installed to further evaluate soil and groundwater. Not only does it disrupt day to day operations at the site, but it can be expensive. Learn More

Often times due to the high cost of soil disposal, clients seek alternative soil disposal options other than a licensed landfill or recycling facility. Specifically the re-use of the suspect soil from a Disposal Site at another location without prior notice or approval from the DEP, which is usually owned by the client or a second property owner seeking fill. Learn More

The DEP is getting closer to promulgating the proposed changes in the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (310 CMR 40.0000). Some of the more significant changes involve Tier Classification, Exposure Pathway Mitigation, Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL), and Response Action Outcome (RAO) Statements. Learn More