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LSPA Urges Covid-19 Vaccine Priority for LSPs

by: LSP Association
Category: News
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Jan
08
Earlier this week the LSPA sent a letter to the two Massachusetts Department of Public Health officials leading the Massachusetts Covid-19 Vaccine Advisory Group, urging them to consider appropriate Covid-19 vaccine priority for LSPs and other workers who address spills of oil and hazardous materials, and conduct waste site assessment and remediation. These professionals should be prioritized in Phase 2 of the Commonwealth's vaccine distribution timeline, as they are no less essential to public health and safety than sanitation, public works and public health workers, or water and wastewater utility staff.
 
Our letter provides more context and detail. 
 
The LSPA has also heard from MassDEP that the prioritization of LSPs has been discussed amongst MassDEP senior staff.  Our understanding is that while this is still in the process of being sorted out, the Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup has asked that LSPs be considered similar to MassDEP's Emergency Response staff in Phase 2 - just like waste water treatment plant operators and others.

We know that many of you are eager for your vaccine and we will keep LSPA membership apprised as we learn more.


LSPA Presents Paul Locke, Assistant Commissioner, MassDEP with its Contribution to the Practice Award

by: LSP Association
Category: News
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Sep
29

Before an audience of over 200 people on a Zoom videoconference, the LSP Association (LSPA) honored (and surprised!) Paul Locke, Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), with its Contribution to the Practice Award. 

The LSPA presents this award to an individual or organization from the public, non-profit, or private sector for outstanding contributions to the practice and advancing the profession over the previous year.  

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Seeking Your Nominations: LSPA Environmental Justice Award

by: LSP Association
Category: News
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Sep
14
The LSP Association (LSPA) requests your nominations for our 2020 "Contribution to the Practice" Awards in a new category: The LSPA Environmental Justice Award.
 
This award category was approved by the LSPA Board in early September 2020 as one action the LSPA can take to increase awareness of Environmental Justice (EJ) issues and support environmental justice communities.
In Massachusetts, a neighborhood is defined as an Environmental Justice population if any of the following are true:
  • Block group whose annual median household income is equal to or less than 65 percent of the statewide median ($62,072 in 2010); or
  • 25% or more of the residents identify as a race other than white; or
  • 25% or more of households have no one over the age of 14 who speaks English only or very well
Learn more here.
 
The LSPA Environmental Justice Award is presented to an individual or organization from the public, non-profit, or private sector for recent or continuing outstanding contributions in increasing awareness of EJ issues and/or supporting EJ communities.
 
This year, the award will be presented at the LSPA December 2020 Membership Meeting webinar.
 
If you wish to nominate a deserving person and/or organization, please email Kristi Lefebvre, LSPA Communications Mangager, at [email protected] with the nominee's name and supporting materials. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
 
Nomination applications should include the following:
  • The name and affiliation of the nominator and his or her relationship to the nominee.
  • For individuals, the name and title of the nominee and organization with which s/he is associated. For organizations, include the name and title of the key contact, and the specific name of the division, office, or department nominated. Be as specific as possible.
  • A narrative statement of no more than 2 pages describing the focus of the nomination and the nature of the nominee's contributions. The nominator will be contacted if the LSPA Board requires additional information.  
The LSPA Board of Directors will review the letters of nomination and supporting materials for all nominees, and will contact references if appropriate. The Board will discuss and then vote on nominees. Awards are made at the sole discretion of the LSPA Board of Directors. Awards are not always made in each category. There may be more than one award presented in any category.
 
Read here for more information about the LSPA's other Contribution to the Practice Award categories.
 
To view the list of prior award recipients, please click here.
 
Michele Paul, LSP, President

LSPA Comments on MA Brownfields Tax Credit Regulation

by: LSP Association
Category: News
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Apr
07
On Friday, April 3, 2020 the LSPA submitted comments to the MA Department of Revenue on Working Draft Regulation 830 CMR 63.38Q.1, the Massachusetts Brownfields Tax Credit. Read our cover letter and the accompanying spreadsheet which presents our comments in more detail. Many thanks to the LSPA's Regulations Committee for compiling comments and to the many LSPA members who shared their feedback on the Working Draft regulation.

Home Heating Oil Insurance Bill Receives Favorable Report from Legislature

by: LSP Association
Category: News
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Apr
07
In early February 2020, the LSPA-sponsored Senate Bill 594 received a favorable report from the MA Legislature's Joint Committee on Financial Services. The bill was sent to the Senate Clerk shortly thereafter where it is likely to be referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Many thanks to Committee Chairs Senator James Welch (D-Hampden) and Representative James Murphy (D-Weymouth) for their support.

The bill's progress has been supported by the LSPA's Legislative Committee and the special efforts of LSPA members Attorney Susan Crane and LSP Kevin Beaulieu. They, along with two homeowners and LSPA Executive Director Wendy Rundle, testified at the bill's hearing in September 2019. 

It is the aim of the LSPA in developing S. 594 to correct the significant omission in the current law so that it accomplishes the objectives for which it was designed, which is to mandate that insurance coverage be provided for all Massachusetts households that use fuel oil. Read the LSPA's written testimony here.

Above: S. Crane, K. Beaulieu, W. Rundle after testifying in support of S 594.

COVID-19 Information

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
Tags
Mar
10
Dear Friends:

The LSPA Board and staff are staying abreast of updates from the CDC, MEMA, and the MA Governor's Office regarding COVID-19, the Coronavirus. We realize the situation is quickly changing and will inform our membership as soon as possible should the LSPA decide to postpone or cancel any plans or events.

We encourage every individual to make the best decision for themselves about whether or not to attend an event. Should you decide to not attend an event for which you have already paid and registered, please contact us at [email protected] and we will provide you with a full refund.

See the Situational Awareness Statement #1 here from MEMA, March 7,2020, along with this poster. Read a Press Release here from the Governor's Office, March 4, 2020.

The LSPA received an email from MA Energy and Environment Secretary Theoharides on Friday, March 6th which we have copied below. She wrote that:

Although Massachusetts remains low risk, state officials continue to coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and implement CDC guidance. To provide you with updated information, I wanted to forward a press release issued earlier this week by the Administration. In it, you will find information about ongoing efforts as well as resources for additional information on COVID-19.
  
Additionally, going forward you will be receiving updates directly from the Administration regarding continued efforts and updated information.
 
As a reminder, people are advised to take many of the same steps they do to help prevent colds and the flu, including:
  • Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes and face.
  • Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
  • Stay home when feeling sick.
  • Stay informed.
  • Get a flu shot.
We will be in touch.
Be well.
Michele Paul, LSP
LSPA President

Representative Robert DeLeo Awarded River Hero Award

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
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Dec
06


Earlier this week, LSPA Executive Director Wendy Rundle, attended the Annual Dinner Meeting of the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance where Representative Robert DeLeo, MA Speaker of the House was presented with a River Hero award.  Also attending from the LSPA were Susan Chapnick, former LSPA Board member and President of New Environmental Horizons; Dot McGlincy, LSP and Executive Director of MA Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC); and Joel Mooney, LSP and Sr. VP Haley & Aldrich, an LSPA Platinum Partner.


Speaker DeLeo, and Wendy Rundle, right after she mentioned the LSPA's S.594 to require insurance for remediation of residential home heating oil releases.


Should Insurance Protect Homeowners From Financially Devastating Heating Oil Spills?

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
Tags
Oct
23
Many thanks to Ryan Kath of NBCBoston for another installment, which aired last night, on LSPA efforts to require insurers to cover the costs of remediating home heating oil spills and leaks.

The LSPA Legislative Committee is appreciative of Senator Anne Gobi's sponsorship of S. 594. 

LSPA Submits Comments to MassDEP on 2019 Proposed MCP Amendments

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
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Jul
22

On Friday, July 19, 2019, at the end of MassDEP's public comment period, the LSPA submitted our comments on the 2019 Proposed MCP Amendments. Our cover letter summarized three key topics of concern: PFAS, Risk Characterization, and Transition Provisions. A separate document included 15 pages of comments.  

As usual, the LSPA process started with a call to members to submit their comments to the LSPA Regulations Committee.  Then committee co-chairs Joe Roman (GEI) and Dan LaFrance (Fuss & O'Neill) assembled a team of "champions" to review, develop, and vet comments.  Many thanks and kudos to that group for an awesome job pulling together a solid draft set of comments.

These comments were reviewed by the LSPA Board and finally by Michele Paul (City of New Bedford), the LSPA's new President. 

We encourage you to share any additional thoughts and comments with the LSPA at [email protected].  


LSPA Election Results and Board Changes

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
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Jun
12
The LSPA Board is pleased to announce that three candidates have been elected to the LSPA Board of Directors for 2019 - 2022:
  •  Patrick Corcoran, LSP, Senior Project Manager, ATC Group Services. Mr. Corcoran will begin his second 3-year term on July 1, 2019. 
  •  Joseph Roman, LSP, Senior Project Manager and Human Health Risk Assessor, GEI Consultants, Inc. Mr. Roman will begin his first 3-year term on July 1, 2019. 
  • Matthew Young, Senior Project Manager, Environmental, Cumberland Farms. Mr. Young will begin his second 3-year term on July 1, 2019. 
At the end of June 2019, LSPA Past President Mike Penzo's Board term will come to an end. Mike is an LSP at Penzo Consulting and faculty at two area universities. We thank him for his contributions as a Board member, President, and Past President. We are confident that his legacy work supporting students and encouraging their involvement in the LSPA will not end with his Board term. 


Exposure Point Concentrations and You: Calculating 95% UCLs and Employing ProUCL to compute them for use as EPCs

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
Tags
May
28

Hardly the title for a stellar course, right?  WRONG!

These two smiling, smart people received rave reviews from course participants:

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Coming Soon - LSPA Ballot for 2019 Board Election

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
Tags
May
10
Voting will open on Friday, May 17, 2019 for the 2019-2020 LSP Association (LSPA) Board of Directors election. Board positions will take effect July 1, 2019. 
 
Ballots will be sent by email to all LSPA members, both Full and Associate. We encourage all members to vote.
 
The LSPA's 9-member Board of Directors is composed of LSPA members who combine experience in environmental work with a passion for supporting and promoting the LSP practice. Current LSPA Board members are shown here.
 
There are three open seats on the Board for this election; the term length is from FY '19 through FY '22. Provided below are the four candidates on this year's ballot. Please click on each candidate's name to read more about him.
The LSPA Board nominated three candidates for the ballot. 
 
The LSPA Bylaws allow for a candidate who obtains a written petition, signed by at least 10 Full and/or Associate LSPA members in good standing, and submitted 30 days in advance of the election, to be placed on the ballot for election.  

The LSPA Bylaws state "Of the nine members on the Board, up to two Director positions may be filled by Associate members."  The two current Board members who are Associate (non-LSP) LSPA members are Jeanine Grachuk and Matthew Young.  

To view all the candidates' statements of interest, photos, and responses to LSPA Board questions, click here.
  
New Board members will be announced at the LSPA monthly membership meeting on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the Hilton Hotel in Woburn, MA, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.
Please note that voting will close on June 7, 2019, at 5 PM.
 
If you have questions or comments, please contact Wendy Rundle, LSPA Executive Director at [email protected] or 617-484-4027.
 
Thank you,
 
Marilyn Wade, LSP
LSP Association President

LSPA Urges EOEEA to Fill Vacant "Environmental" Seat on LSP Board

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
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Feb
08
The LSPA has heard back from MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) Secretary Matt Beaton's office that "Commissioner Suuberg from MassDEP has reached out to multiple environmental organizations asking for recommendations for this seat."  

This is in response to a letter the LSPA sent urging that the seat, vacant for 5 years, be filled. Read the letter here. 


NBC10 Boston Segment, "Home Heating Oil Spill Nightmares"

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
Tags
Feb
07
Thank you to Ryan Kath and the team at NBC10 Boston for this piece illustrating the serious challenges of home heating oil releases, especially for those who are uninsured. We expect two more parts to this series, with the final part focusing on legislation that would require insurance companies to provide specialized liquid fuel release insurance riders.  
 

While we can't comment on the specifics of this Blackstone property, we can say that Licensed Site Professionals (LSPs), attorneys, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), and the LSP Association (LSPA) hear regularly from homeowners who are overwhelmed and desperate about how they will afford to clean up home heating oil releases on their properties to meet the requirements of the State’s environmental regulations. Home heating oil spills are emotional and difficult for all involved.  

Many homeowners do not have the financial means to pay for costly cleanups, and MassDEP does not have the public funds to do this itself. The backing of homeowners' insurance companies is critical to make cleanups financially viable. The LSPA is working with state legislators to mandate that insurance companies provide coverage to homeowners using oil heat - just like they do for homeowners using electric, gas, and other energy sources, and just as most homeowners would expect when purchasing insurance.  

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How Geologists and Environmental Consultants Interact with Lawyers

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
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Dec
04

On December 3, 2018, LSPA Board Member Jeanine Grachuk, Principal at Beveridge & Diamond, spoke about “How Geologists and Environmental Consultants Interact with Lawyers” to 20 students at a meeting of the Student Chapter of the LSP Association at Bridgewater State University. Always great to connect practitioners with students, and possible future LSPs (or attorneys!).

 

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LSPA Announces New Officers and New Board Members for FY19

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
Tags
Aug
09

The LSP Association (LSPA) recently announced leadership changes to the Board of Directors as well as the election of two new Board members. These changes went into effect on July 1, 2018 and were announced to the membership at the LSPA monthly meeting, which was held on June 13, 2018 in Taunton, MA.  

The LSPA welcomes two new Board members:
  • David Leone, LSP, Associate Principal with GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. of Norwood, MA,  Director at Large.
  • Charles Young, LSP, Senior Environmental Project Manager at Stantec, of Quincy, MA, Director at Large.

Officers for this fiscal year are: 

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LSPA Announces the Election of New Board Members

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
Tags
Jun
20

The LSP Association (LSPA) is pleased to announce that two new At-Large members were elected to the Board of Directors: David Leone, LSP, Associate Principal, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Norwood and Charles Young, LSP, Associate and Senior Environmental Project Manager, Stantec, Quincy were elected by LSPA members in early June. Their three year terms begin on July 1, 2018.   

          
(Shown on Left: David Leone, Shown on Right: Charles Young)

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Coming Soon - LSPA Ballot for 2018 Board Election

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
Tags
May
14
Voting will open on Friday, May 18, 2018 for the 2018-2019 LSP Association (LSPA) Board of Directors election. Board positions will take effect July 1, 2018. 
 
Ballots will be sent by email to all LSPA members, both Full and Associate. We encourage all members to vote.
 
The LSPA's 9-member Board of Directors is composed of LSPA members who combine experience in environmental work with a passion for supporting and promoting the LSP practice. Current LSPA Board members are shown here.
 
Provided below are the candidates on this year's ballot. There were no members who petitioned to be on the election ballot. 
 
Two 3-year positions, 2018 - 2021:
  • David Leone, LSP, Associate Principal, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Norwood, MA.  David Leone is a longtime member of the LSPA Regulations Committee, including having served as the Co-Chair from 2014 to 2017.
  • Charles Young, LSP, Associate and Senior Environmental Project Manager, Stantec, Quincy, MA.  Charles has been Co-Chair of the Member Services & Program Committee for the past eight years, and also active in planning LSPA's annual dinner and other events. 
The Board of Directors believe that these two candidates have demonstrated their commitment to the Association and are well-positioned to ensure its continuing success.
 
To view the candidates' statements of interest and photos, click here.
  
New Board members will be announced at the LSPA monthly membership meeting on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at the Holiday Inn in Taunton, MA, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

Please note that voting will close on June 8, 2018, at 5 PM.
 
If you have questions or comments, please contact Wendy Rundle, LSPA Executive Director at [email protected] or 617-484-4027.
 
Thank you,
 
Marilyn Wade, LSP
LSP Association President


Record-Breaking Attendance at Western MA Membership Meeting

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
Tags
Feb
09

LSPA’s Western Massachusetts Committee had a record-breaking number of attendees at its membership meeting on Monday, January 29. 

We would like to thank our speakers of the evening: Mr. Jason Barroso, Waste Management, Inc.; Mr. Hugo DelRosso, US Ecology and Ms. Eva Tor, Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup, MassDEP’s Western Regional Office. The speakers addressed the topic of Waste Management Considerations for MCP Projects to an audience of 60+.

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LSPA 24th Annual Dinner Meeting

by: Kristi Lefebvre
Category: News
Tags
Nov
15

The LSP Association’s Board of Directors hosted over 300 attendees at this year’s LSPA Annual Dinner at the Lowell Inn & Conference Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. It was a wonderful night and great to see so many LSPA members, clients, and friends. The LSPA received impressive sponsorship support, presented a thought-provoking speaker, and the LSP Association Scholarship Fund was the recipient of generous donations through its silent auction.

Click here to see the photograph album from the evening. Special thanks to Elliot Steinberg, LSP and photographer from Haley & Aldrich.   

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