In October 1993, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) promulgated substantially revised regulations that govern the cleanup of oil and hazardous materials in Massachusetts. A cornerstone of the revised regulations is the LSP Program, which requires a “Massachusetts Licensed Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Professional” (an LSP) to render professional opinions on assessment and cleanup of the waste disposal sites.
In response to the substantial professional service needs of this new, First-In-The-Nation environmental professional licensure, the LSP Association was created. The LSPA’s mission was then and continues to be:
“to promote sound business and technical practices among member LSPs. To accomplish this mission, the LSP Association will represent its membership concerning the standards of practice, the roles and responsibilities of the LSP, and will serve as an education, information and communication resource.”
Maintaining a license requires constant vigilance on the part of an LSP. The regulations and laws that govern the work are numerous and complex. Practice standards are continuously evolving, continuing education requirements are substantial. The LSPA is on the forefront of providing its members with technical and professional information, education programs, and a forum for timely topics and professional issues.
Some significant milestones during the brief history of the LSPA and the privatized program are summarized below:
1993 – The LSP Association, Inc., a nonprofit corporation is organized. Richard Hughto is named the first LSPA President.
1994 – The first LSP board approved continuing education course is offered to LSPs by a joint effort of the LSPA and DEP. The topic was Notification, Preliminary Response Actions and Risk Reduction Measures. Membership reaches 284 full members
1995 – The First LSP Board Exam is administered to LSPs. The LSPA offers two pre-exam training courses.
1997 – Membership reaches 667, including 383 of the total 456 Active LSPs (84%).
1998 - Membership reaches 722 members, including 417 of the 470 LSPs (89%).
1999 The LSPA continues to regularly schedule courses. During 1999, seven courses with 10 offerings are held.
2000 - A total of 10,000 Sites are assessed and/or remediated by LSPs since the 1993 program redesign. A total of 11,000 Immediate Response Actions are initiated. LSPA co-creates an external workgroup intended to study the problem of funding for residential heating oil releases. LSPA forms a Public Relations Subcommittee.
2001 - Membership grows to 836. Of these, 164 are located outside of Massachusetts.
2002 - LSPA creates a Legislative Subcommittee. Membership reaches 849 members, including 451 (95%) of all active LSPs.
2003 - Over 18,000 Sites have been cleaned or closed out after approximately 10 years of the privatized MCP program. An annual scholarship award program is established.
2004 - The LSPA provides written and oral testimony in support of the “21E Homeowners Heating Oil Cleanup Bill”. Wes Stimpson is retained as Executive Director of LSPA. The “Contributions to the Practice” Award Program was created.
2005 - 1,000th member of the LSPA is registered. 21E Homeowners Heating Oil Release Bill passes the state senate, unanimously. LSPA, DPE and LSP Board initiate “Improvements to the Practice” meetings. A total of 14 courses are offered with 23 sessions, attended by approximately 1,500 people.
2007 – The Mission Statement for the Association was reviewed and refined to reflect the current interests and direction of the Association as follows:
“The mission of the LSP Association is to assist its members in achieving and maintaining a standard of practice commensurate with their level of responsibility in overseeing the assessment and remediation of hazardous waste disposal sites; to serve as the voice of the membership in communicating with MassDEP and the LSP Board of Registration; and to serve as the responsible advocate of its membership with respect to regulations, policies, and practices which impact the LSP profession.”