MassDEP Posts Guidance On Public Involvement Plan Activities During State Of Emergency

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's (MassDEP) Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup (BWSC) posted detailed guidance on June 3, 2020, regarding compliance with Public Involvement Plan (PIP) requirements under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP). The guidance addresses the three key areas impacted by the Massachusetts State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, namely public notice requirements, holding public meetings and establishing public repositories for sites designated as PIP sites under 310 CMR 40.1404.

Pursuant to 310 CMR 40.1405, PIP sites involve additional public involvement opportunities beyond the general requirements, including establishment of a detailed PIP after receipt of public comment and presentation at a public meeting. The goal of the PIP is to establish regular opportunities for public comment on various response actions required under the MCP to achieve a permanent solution (site closure). These required steps to make