As we enter 2020, there are several issue that I will be keeping an eye out for. In no particular priority order, this first one carries over from 2019. The proposed MA DEP regulations are open for review. Public hearings are scheduled throughout the State during January to review the proposed regulations. You can find the schedule at the end of the MMA article linked to and quoted below. Alternatively:
From the Mass Municipal Association (MMA):
"Public comments on the draft regulations will be accepted by email to program.director-dwp@mass.gov through Feb. 28"
From the Mass Municipal Association (MMA):
"On Dec. 13, the Baker-Polito administration and the Department of Environmental Protection announced their intent to file two regulations related to PFAS, a class of manmade chemical compounds considered hazardous to public and environmental health.
While many chemicals have been identified as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the MassDEP regulations pertain to six targeted PFAS compounds.
The first regulation, filed by MassDEP, mandates cleanup by parties found responsible for groundwater contamination of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) or more of the sum of the six PFAS compounds. The cleanup rule also establishes PFAS limits specifically for soil contamination. Massachusetts is one of only a few states that have established formal PFAS cleanup standards.
The second regulation is a draft rule that would establish a maximum contaminant level for drinking water at the same 20 ppt of the sum of the six PFAS compounds. In a press release, the MassDEP notes that the proposed maximum contaminant level for drinking water “covers a larger subgroup of compounds than any other state and provides a greater deal of protection, particularly for sensitive subgroups.”Continue reading the article online
https://www.mma.org/state-files-regulations-regarding-pfas-contamination/
Why?
As an update to the previously shared listing on the "turf issue":
What we know:
- The prior conversations around the field replacements (completed in 2017) were centered around the crumb rubber infill. The Town spent more for an acrylic coated infill (which apparently was installed), the issue now is NOT with the infill but the with chemicals used to treat the carpet itself.
- A third party filed a complaint with DEP about the old turf stored at the Beaver St fields
- Article in TheIntercept about PFAS found in the turf itself https://theintercept.com/2019/10/08/pfas-chemicals-artificial-turf-soccer/
- Article in the Boston Globe alleging potential issues with the water supply and shared via Franklin Matters https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/10/we-will-work-with-dep-to-resolve-matter.html
- The Franklin community on Facebook reacted in the online conversation around the article and issue
- Town Administrator Jamie Hellen makes statement at Town Council meeting 10/16/19 https://drive.google.com/open?id=14VSvuZvTifTbeHO4bWFtIy2YxVdjRF4O
- Updated 12/5/19 - Town Administrator Jamie Hellen makes statement at Town Council meeting 12/4/19 referring to the DEP letter https://drive.google.com/file/d/15WMp_zZiMXs_7MfpUQJd5hgtaVbrlkY_/view?usp=sharing
- Updated 12/13/19 - While PFAS in the water supply was tested by Town of Franklin once in 2018, is PFAS still being tested by ToF now? No, nor are they required to do so (although as the final testing standards issued 12/27/19 are evaluated, this may change).
- Updated 12/13/19 - What will the State do with PFAS and the recent revelations (if anything)? The State just issued new testing standards to be finalized by 12/27/19 https://www.mass.gov/lists/preview-of-the-final-pfas-related-revisions-to-the-mcp-2019
What we don’t know:
- What happened to the Conservation Commission mitigation measures from when the field was first installed (in 2004?)?
- Where was the old carpet and bags of unused infill taken?
- What will the Federal agencies do with PFAS and the recent revelations (if anything)?
Related Links
TA Statement 12/4/19 meeting
TA Statement 10/16/19 meeting
Pantherbook article 12/11/19
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| bags of the acrylic coated infill ready for install at FHS in August 2017 |
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