Recent articles for online reading / downloading

In this section of our website we features articles covering a variety of environmental topics. Although many of these topics are technical in nature, the articles are aimed at a general audience. Some articles are written by Resource Controls staff and some by outside sources. Where applicable, credit and source are given to articles that are in the latter category.

New articles will be added periodically, so please check back for updates.

Greening Up A Business Preserves Land Value
In an effort to improve regulatory compliance, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) began to focus its monitoring and enforcement activity on automobile recycling companies. Working with the MADEP, Middleboro Recycling Inc. discovered that revamping its operations could be a cost effective way to improve compliance, as well as operations.

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New Hope for Massachusetts Petroleum Contaminated Sites in GW-1 Areas
On February 14, 2008, revisions to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan went into effect which, under certain circumstances, will allow the regulatory closure of petroleum contaminated sites overlying groundwater classified as GW-1, where groundwater conditions do not meet GW 1 standards.

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Massachusetts Brownfields Program Offers Liability Protection and Tax Credits
The Massachusetts Brownfields Program provides liability protection for new owners of environmentally stressed properties and Resource Controls can help you navigate through the process of attaining such relief.

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Pending Changes to the MCP - Dealing With Asbestos in Soil
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is proposing amendments to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) that will focus on environmental site assessments and site remediation related to asbestos containing debris in many new and challenging ways.

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Tips For Maintaining Your Home Heating System: Prevent Heating Oil Leaks and Spills
This article highlights presents a fact sheet by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on some ways to save money, help prevent leaks and spills in home heating systems, and protect the environment.

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The Massachusetts waste site cleanup program - the basics
This article highlights the major components of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) waste site cleanup program.

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Answers to the Most Common Questions about MassDEP Fees
MassDEP’s Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup has prepared this Q&A to answer common questions regarding fees for sites regulated under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 21E.

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Hiring an Environmental Consultant
Selecting a consultant is buying expertise. It is important that the environmental firm has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the applicable regulations and the evolution of these regulations.

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Hiring a Licensed Site Professional
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has prepared this guide for home and small business owners to answer some of the questions that you may have about Licensed Site Professionals (LSPs) and their role in the cleanup process.

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Massachusetts’ Approach to Waste Site Cleanup: CHAPTER 21E and The Massachusetts Contingency Plan
Assessing and cleaning up contamination are important components of Massachusetts’ strategy to provide its citizens with a clean and safe environment. The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP’s) Waste Site Cleanup Program was established to ensure that contamination is dealt with appropriately and quickly.

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MA DEP Audit Fact Sheet
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is required to audit response actions at disposal sites by M.G.L. Chapter 21E § 3A(o). This law mandates that DEP audit a minimum of 20 percent of all the sites that are required to pay annual compliance assurance fees. This fact sheet presents answers to common questions related to an audit.

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Heating Oil Delivery Lines:
A Homeowner's Guide to Preventing Leaks
What to do in the event of a leak or spill, DEP's regional office telephone numbers, why home heading oil delivery lines leak, helpful suggestions, and other usefull and related information.

Massachusetts Contingency Plan Fact Sheet - Public Involvement in Site Cleanup 310 CMR 40.1400
To be successful, cleanups of contaminated properties must address the concerns of the communities in which they are located. Local officials, residents, businesses, environmental groups, and others need to be satisfied with a cleanup, since they will live and work with the results.

All Appropriate Inquiries - What does it mean for the future of Environmental Site Assessments?
The recent development of the EPA's All Appropriate Inquiries final rule and the associated ASTM standard for conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments has caused many people involved in commercial and industrial real estate to re-think their approach to the environmental site assessment process.

Resource Controls welcomes your comments or questions about any of the articles in this section of our web site -- please send e-mail from this link for a personal response.