LSPA News & Announcements


MassDEP Honors Four LSP Association Members With Greener Cleanups Awards

November 21, 2016
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the state agency responsible for the cleanup of oil and hazardous waste sites and spills, recently honored four members of the LSP Association (LSPA) with Greener Cleanups Awards at the LSPA’s September Membership Meeting in Newton, MA. Click here to read more.


LSPA Unveils New Compliance Tip of the Month

November 16, 2016
The LSPA's Loss Prevention Committee, unveiled the following monthly compliance tip at November's Membership Meeting.

An LSP can sign a MassDEP Materials Shipping Record (MSR), and if the LSP has another credential such as a P.E. or P.G., the LSP can stamp the form with that other credential subject to its rules. However, an LSP cannot use the LSP seal on an MSR form. According to LSP Board Advisory Ruling 98-01, an LSP "must not use his or her seal when signing other documents," meaning documents other than formal waste site cleanup activity opinions.

Click here to view all published compliance tips. 


MassDEP Finalizes Vapor Intrusion Guidance

October 20, 2016
As of Monday, October 17, 2016, MassDEP's Vapor Intrusion guidance document is final.  

The document entitled "VAPOR INTRUSION GUIDANCE: SITE ASSESSMENT, MITIGATION AND CLOSURE Policy #WSC-16-435" is available here: http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/cleanup/vapor-intrusion-guidance-10-14-2016.pdf


September 19, 2016 deadline for comments to EPA on the NPDES Draft 2016 Remediation General Permit (RGP)

Please be advised that Monday, September 19, 2016, is the final day to submit comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Draft 2016 Remediation General Permit (RGP). Comments must be submitted in writing to Shauna Little, Office Of Ecosystem Protection, EPA - Region 1, at 617-918-1989 or [email protected]

For a copy of the Draft RGP, Federal Register Notice, and Fact Sheet, please follow the link: https://www3.epa.gov/region1/npdes/rgp.html

For more information, please click here.


MassDEP Updates: New, revised BWSC104 Permanent and Temporary Solution Statement Form

July 25, 2016

Beginning on or about Thursday, July 28, 2016, MassDEP will release a revised BWSC104 Permanent and Temporary Solution Statement Form in eDEP. The new form will include additions to Section E that will include questions related to Active Exposure Pathway Mitigation Measures (AEPMM) for:

  • Certain Permanent Solutions with Conditions (Section E2a) and;
  • Temporary Solutions (Section E3)

The additions allow for easier identification of those Permanent or Temporary Solutions that rely on AEPMMs. Click here for more information on these recent changes.


LSPA Requests Your Comments on Draft Technical Update 

June 10, 2016
MassDEP has recently released the Historic Fill / Anthropogenic Background Public Comment DRAFT Technical Update. A copy is available here on the MassDEP website. The LSPA Regulations Committee is assembling comments on this 12-page draft guidance document and would like your input. Please send your comments, suggestions, and revisions to the LSPA Regulations Committee Co-Chairs by Wednesday, June 29, 2016. Click here for more information about how to do this.


LSPA Board of Directors Election 

June 9, 2016
Election results are in for the LSPA's Board of Directors.  Marilyn Wade, LSP,  Brown & Caldwell, was re-elected for a second term.  Marilyn currently serves as the LSPA Treasurer.  Two new Board members were elected:  Patrick Corcoran, LSP, EnviroTrac, and Matthew Young, Senior Project Manager, Cumberland Farms. They were each elected for three year terms and will take office on July 1, 2016.  They will replace outgoing Board members, and Past Presidents, Matt Hackman and Paul McKinlay.  Click here for more information about these new Board members. 


Court Decides Peterborough Oil vs. MassDEP 

June 7, 2016
On June 6, 2016, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued its opinion in Peterborough Oil Co. v. MassDEP upholding MassDEP’s interpretation that the word “oil” in the Zone II exemption does not include leaded gasoline.   Read on for a brief summary of the decision.  The LSPA submitted an amicus brief in this case.  


LSPA Opposes H. 695  - A Bill That Would Affect the LSP Board Process 

May 10, 2016
The LSPA has written to the Chair of the House Ways & Means Committee of the Massachusetts Legislature expressing its strong opposition to H. 695 which would create an appeals board to hear from those aggrieved by determinations of the current LSP Board of Registration.  Read our letter here.  And contact the committee with your opinion. 


LSPA Board of Directors Elections 

The LSPA announces Board candidates and voting to begin on May 9th. Click here to learn more about candidates and the election.


LSPA Scholarship Fund 3rd Annual Golf Tournament 

June 2, 2016
The LSP Association (LSPA) Scholarship Fund is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Golf Tournament. For more information, click here.


LSPA Scholarship Fund Applications Due May 2, 2016 

March 25, 2016
The LSP Association (LSPA) Scholarship Fund is pleased to announce that it will be accepting applications for educational scholarships for the 2016 - 2017 academic year. The purpose of the scholarship program is to support continued education within environmental fields of study at colleges and universities throughout Massachusetts and New England. Application information is available here.


Happy New Year, and A Look Back at 2015 

January 8, 2016
With the support and participation of over 800 members, and generous corporate and event sponsors, the LSPA was able to accomplish a great deal in 2015. Some highlights include. 


LSPA Comments on MassDEP's Second Public Review Draft LNAPL Guidance 

December 18, 2015
The LSPA submitted comments on December 18, 2015 to MassDEP on its Second Public Review Draft of Light Nonaqueous Phase Liquids (LNAPL) and the MCP: Guidance for Site Assessment and Closure, Policy #WSC‐14‐450. Read our cover letter and comments


MassDEP Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup Updates 

November 5, 2015
The second public review draft of the Light Nonaqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) Guidance is posted under “Draft Policies & Guidance” here.  This document has been updated to reflect public comments received on the first (July 2014) draft.  BWSC will be holding a meeting on the revised draft on Thursday November 12, 2015 at 10:00 am at MassDEP’s Boston Office, One Winter Street 2nd floor conference rooms A & B.  Please submit any written comments on the second public hearing draft by Friday December 18, 2015 to [email protected]


LSPA 22nd Annual Dinner Meeting Held 

October 8, 2015
The LSPA held its 22nd annual dinner meeting on October 8, 2015, at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center in Lowell, MA.  Over 280 guests were in attendance to schmooze, nosh, bid on an appealing array of silent auction items, applaud their colleagues receiving awards, and listen to guest speaker Stephen Puleo, historian and author of Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919. 

Click here for more details.


LSPA Files Amicus Brief with MA Supreme Judicial Court  

September 30, 2015
On September 30, 2015, the LSPA filed an Amicus Curiae (“Friend of the Court”) brief with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in the case of Peterborough Oil Company, LLC v. Department of Environmental Protection.  The case is on appeal from Worcester County Superior Court.   

At issue in the case is the technical application of a section of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (the “MCP,” 310 CMR 40.0000) that addresses the “Identification of Exposure Points” in groundwater within an Aquifer Protection District or the Zone II of a Public Supply well (310 CMR 40.0924(2)(b)(3)(a)).  

Click here to read a summary of the LSPA's internal process and issues.

The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) heard oral arguments on October 8, 2015.  The SJC webcast of the oral arguments can be seen here. We are told to expect a decision on the case within 4 to 6 months of the oral argument.  


MassDEP Finalizes Policy on the Re-Use of Soil for Large Reclamation Projects

August 28, 2015
MassDEP’s Interim Policy on the Re-Use of Soil for Large Reclamation Projects (#COMM-15-01) is final and may be found here.   

More information is provided in this article and at www.ReclamationSoil.org.


LSPA Comments on MassDEP's Draft Interim Policy on Reclamation Soils 

June 17, 2015
The LSPA submitted comments to MassDEP on its Draft Interim Policy on Reclamation Soil. Read our letter.  


LSPA Board of Directors Elected 

June 15, 2015
The LSPA membership has elected Susan O'Brien, LSP of Amec Foster Wheeler, for a first term on the LSPA Board.  Two current Board members were re-elected for second terms:  Mike Billa, LSP of Tetra Tech, and Mike Penzo, LSP, Consulting Hydrogeologist.  They were each elected for three year terms and will take office on July 1, 2015.  


MassDEP Publishes Draft Interim Policy on Reclamation Soils

May 17, 2015
MassDEP has prepared a DRAFT Interim Policy on the Re-Use of Soil for Large Reclamation Projects; the draft policy is now available on MassDEP’s Reclamation Soil blog (https://reclamationsoil.wordpress.com/).  Comments are due to MassDEP by June 17, 2015.  
Read More


Massachusetts Geological Society is Formed

April 28, 2015
Read More


Governor Baker Issues Executive Order to Reduce Unnecessary Regulatory Burden

April 13, 2015
On March 31, 2015, Governor Baker issued Executive Order No. 562 requiring all state agencies to review regulations based on a variety of criteria found in the document.  Read some reactions here


Scholarship Fund is Now Accepting Applications for Educational Scholarships

March 9, 2015
Read More


Call for Golfers: May 26, 2015 LSPA Scholarship Fund 2nd Annual Golf Tournament

February 26, 2015
Sign up here to become a sponsor and to play.


LSPA Submits Comments to MassDEP on Public Review Draft, Vapor Intrusion Guidance 

February 2, 2015
The LSPA sent a cover letter and matrix of comments to MassDEP on its October 2014 Public Review Draft of Vapor Intrusion Guidance, Policy #WSC-14-435.


Overview of 2014 MCP 2014 Regulatory Changes: Characterizing and Closing Out NAPL Sites 

January 2015
The LSPA has prepared an overview as part of a series of topic discussions and resources pertaining to the 2014 MCP changes; this first in the series provides a discussion of key aspects of  the investigation and closure of NAPL sites. Read more.


MassDEP Publishes Guidance on Best Management Practices ("BMPs") for Non-Commercial Gardening at Disposal Sites, WSC # 14-910

December 2014


LSPA Seeks Comments from Members on MassDEP's Draft Vapor Intrusion Guidance

MassDEP's draft guidance document on vapor intrusion has been published here

The LSPA Regulations Committee is assembling comments. Please forward your comments, questions or concerns on this guidance document to
[email protected]

We cannot guarantee that your comments will be included in the LSPA document so, as always, we urge you to also submit your comments directly to MassDEP. Written comments on this document should be submitted to [email protected] by February 2, 2015.

We hope to hear from you.


LSPA Submits Comments on MassDEP's Draft Guidance for LNAPL Site Assessment and Closure

November 3, 2014
The LSPA sent a cover letter and a compilation of comments to MassDEP on its July 1, 2014
Public Review Draft, LNAPL and the MCP: Guidance for Site Assessment and Closure - Policy #WSC-14-450. BWSC is planning a meeting on this topic on December 16, 2014 from 1:00 - 3:30 pm in Boston.


MassDEP's Vapor Intrusion Draft Guidance

October 31, 2014
The public review draft of the Vapor Intrusion Guidance is now posted here.  MassDEP will be holding a pre-comment stakeholder discussion of this draft on December 11, 2014, MassDEP, One Winter Street, Boston, 2nd floor, from 9:30 am to noon.  Written comments on this public review draft should be submitted to [email protected] by February 2, 2015.


LSPA Submits Comments on MassDEP's Draft Activity and Use Limitations (AUL) Guidance

September 22, 2014
On September 22, 2014, the LSPA sent a letter and submitted comments to MassDEP on its June 2014 Public Review Draft, "Guidance on Implementing Activity and Use Limitations – Policy #WSC14-300". MassDEP is revising its guidance on AULs to accompany the newly amended MCP.


Updated TCE Documents

August 18, 2014

MassDEP has recently made minor revisions to two TCE-related documents (last updated in March, 2014):

  1. TCE Toxicity Information:  Implications for Chronic and Shorter-Term Exposure – Fact Sheet (August 15, 2014)
  2. EPA Trichloroethylene Toxicity Values and ORS Recommendations Regarding Remediation Targets & Timeframes to Address Potential Developmental Risks (August 15, 2014)

Request for Information on EPH Results

June 20, 2014

by: The LSPA Technical Practices Committee

The LSPA Technical Practices Committee is looking for information from members on situations where non-petroleum related compounds could possibly have impacted EPH hydrocarbon ranges.  This is an outgrowth of the study described in the article, "Potential False Positives in the Volatile Petroleum Hydrocarbon (VPH) Analytical Method:  The Effect of Non-Target Compounds on MCP Decisionmaking" by Richard J. Rago and Jane Parkin Kullmann, Haley & Aldrich, Inc. and James F. Occhialini, Alpha Analytical Labs. That article appears in the LSPA's online journal here.  

The researchers of that study, which investigated whether the presence of non-petroleum related compounds could cause the over-estimation of VPH hydrocarbon ranges, are seeking information to determine whether an analogous situation could affect EPH hydrocarbon ranges in the same way. 

Specifically, they are interested in your responses to these questions:  

  1. What have you found as non-petroleum based peaks via EPH?   Examples might include phthalates, pesticides, phenols, PCBs (at high concentrations), and others.
  2. Have you had problems with 'unknown' peaks showing up in your EPH results?
  3. How are you evaluating your lab reports?  Do you look at your EPH chromatograms?

If you have information to share, please contact Rich Rago, Lead Scientist, Haley & Aldrich at [email protected] or Jim Occhialini, VP of Technical Sales, Alpha Analyticalat [email protected].


Provisions of the Amended MCP are Fully in Effect

June 20, 2014

The 2014 MCP is fully in effect.  While most provisions took effect on June 20, 2014, there were certain regulations that became effective on April 25, 2014.  The "unofficial" version of the MCP is available on the DEP website, along with new MCP Questions and Answers.

LSPA Awards WES Professional Practice Grant to Haley & Aldrich Team

June 18, 2014
The LSPA is pleased to announce that a WES Professional Practice Grant has been awarded to the Haley & Aldrich team of Richard Rago, Kristina McCarthy, and Jane Parkin Kullman for their  proposal entitled “Background Indoor Air Levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Air-Phase Petroleum Hydrocarbons (APH) in Office Buildings, Commercial Buildings, and Schools."  This is the first WES Grant awarded since its inception.

Redevelop Brownfields Safely

April 14, 2014

Read the Boston Globe editorial "Redevelop brownfields safely - new state rules will help" (April 14, 2014). An LSPA letter provided background info.


LSPA Request for an LSP Licensing Exam in May or June 2014

April 4, 2014

Read the LSPA’s April 4, 2014 letter to the LSP Board of Registration urging them to offer the LSP licensing exam in May or June 2014.  At its April 17, 2014 meeting, the LSP Board voted to offer the exam.


LSPA Comments to MassDEP on Proposed Underground Storage Tank Regulations

March 31, 2014

On March 31, 2014, the LSPA submitted comments to MassDEP on the Proposed Underground Storage Tank Regulations, including 310 CMR 80.00.

LSPA Letter to the Editor on Revised Soil Standards

March 3, 2014

The LSPA’s Letter to the Editor was published in Boston Globe letters section. The letter was in response to a front-page February 23, 2014 Boston Globe article that drew the ire of many LSPA members.  

LSPA’s 17-minute video “Suspending Disbelief”

October 10, 2013

Watch the LSPA’s 17-minute video “Suspending Disbelief,” developed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the creation of Massachusetts’ privatized hazardous waste site cleanup program, the Licensed Site Professional (LSP), and the formation of the LSP Association.