Environmental Monitor – Statewide – 2024

April 24, 2024

Statewide Index:

  • Notice of Information Sessions Draft Massachusetts Statewide Total Maximum on Draft statewide TMDL for Pathogen-Impaired Waterbodies – (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Watershed Planning Program (WPP), announces the availability for public comment of the Draft Massachusetts Statewide Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Pathogen-Impaired Waterbodies. A TMDL establishes the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards. The TMDL serves as the regulatory and technical basis for developing integrated water resource management plans designed to restore the water quality of impaired waterbodies. MassDEP will conduct two public information sessions: one in person on May 8th and one virtual on May 9th. – published 4/10/2024

Previous filings 2024:

  • Notice of Application for a 401 Water Quality Certificate- (click on the link, then at the top, click on attachments) – Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is proposing to issue a federal Clean Water Act (CWA) section 401 certification for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed 2026 Draft NPDES Pesticide General Permit (PGP) (MA Permit No. MAG870000). This permit will provide coverage to any Operator authorized by EPA under the 2026 PGP for the application of pesticides which will result in a discharge to waters of the United States. – comments due 4/7/2024
  • MassDOT Snow and Ice Control Annual Report- 11202 MassDOT Snow and Ice Control Program – (click on link, then at the top, click on attachments) – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has prepared this Snow and Ice (S&I) Control Program Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2023 (July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023). This report provides a comparison of deicing material usage relative to the winter weather severity, as well as any changes in program operations and equipment that were implemented this past winter. This Annual Report allows MassDOT to inform agency personnel and other interested parties of annual material usage and S&I Control Program changes during the intervening years between the five year S&I Control ESPR reporting cycle. The next ESPR is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027. – Published 1/24/2024
  • Notice of Public Hearing re: Vegetation Management Plan – (click on link, then click on attachments) – Several listed municipalities are advised that National Grid proposes to utilize herbicides to treat their Rights-of-Way. To provide all interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposed VMP, a public ZOOM hearing will be held at 10:00 AM on January 22, 2024. – Comments due 1/22/24
  • Notice of Submission of a Yearly Operational Plan – ( click on line, then click on attachments) – National Grid has submitted and holds a current VMP (see previous index listing), therefore, notice of receipt of a YOP and procedures for public review is hereby given as required by Section 11.06 (3). National Grid has submitted a YOP to MDAR for 2024 identifying several municipalities as locations where they intend to use herbicides to treat their electric Rights-of-Way in 2024. In 2024 National Grid will conduct a selective herbicide treatment program on their rights-of-way as part of an Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) program on transmission and distribution lines. – Comments due 1/22/24

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How to Submit Comments to MEPA:

The Secretary of Environmental Affairs accepts written comments on projects currently under MEPA review.
Please note that comments submitted on MEPA documents are public records.
Be sure to include the EOEA number on all comments!

MEPA Public Comment Portal
The most efficient way to submit comments on MEPA projects is through the Public Comment Portal.  You may register and create an account or submit comments anonymously.

Submit Comments by e-mail
All comments received by the deadline will be provided to the Secretary for review and included in the public record for the project. Comments can be e-mailed directly to the Environmental Analyst reviewing the project.  Please reference the project name and EEA# in the subject line of the e-mail.  The EEA# and Environmental Analyst assigned to the project can be found in the Environmental Monitor.

MEPA Staff Contact Information

Submit Comments by Mail or Hand Delivery
Electronic comments are preferred; however, written comments may be mailed or hand-delivered to the MEPA office. Office hours are 9 AM – 5 PM.

The mailing address for comments is:

Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)
Attn: MEPA Office [Analyst Name], EEA No. _____
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900 Boston MA 02114

Be sure to include the EOEA number on all comments!

How to Submit Comments to MEPA (this link takes you to the MEPA Site)

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