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Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) Online Reporting Extension Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MassDEP will treat as timely any Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) Plan Summary or Report filed up to 90 days after the current State of Emergency is terminated. Toxics Use Reduction Plan reporting for manufacturing facilities who manufacture, process or otherwise use hazardous chemicals above certain thresholds due July 1 has also been extended 90 days until after the State’s Emergency Order is terminated (until at least August 17). All other TUR requirements under M.G.L. Chapter 21I and 310 CMR 50.000 remain in effect, and the facilities subject to them must to continue to comply, as well as operate in a manner that is protective of public health and the environment. Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Air Emissions Inventory Submissions Deadline Extended Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, the filing date for the 2019 Air Emissions Inventory submittal has been extended to June 30, 2020. Please do not hand deliver any submittals to RIDEM. US Environmental Protection Agency Multi-Sector General Permit Comment Period Extended EPA is proposing the 2020 reissuance of the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). Due to the Covid-19 crisis situation, EPA has extended the comment period for the Proposed 2020 Multi-Sector General Permit from May 1, until June 1, 2020. EPA’s 2015 Multi-Sector General Permit is due to expire June 4, 2020. The draft MSGP is posted on the EPA website (here: Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Activities). The new final permit will likely not be issued until late summer early fall. Background:
ES&M is proud to be part of Farm Fresh RI’s mission “to grow a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of the farmers and eaters in our region.” We have helped pave the way for construction of the Farm Fresh RI Food and Agriculture campus. When construction is complete, the campus will include a hub for the aggregation and distribution of locally grown food and produce; production facilities; retail markets for both the individual consumer and the wholesaler; job training; and opportunities for nutrition education. Project Description: In early 2016, Farm Fresh Rhode Island decided to undertake environmental assessment activities with the goal of purchasing the 498 Kinsley Avenue property in Providence and converting this Brownfields site into a Food and Agriculture campus. ES&M was retained to conduct the initial ASTM Phase I and II investigations. These investigations revealed several recognized environmental conditions, including the presence of metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, TPH and LNAPL, and two underground storage tanks still buried on the property. Next, ES&M successfully assisted Farm Fresh in obtaining RIDEM brownfields assessment funding to further define the nature and extent of contamination and to identify potential remediation strategies. ES&M prepared a Remedial Action Work Plan, which was approved by RIDEM and assisted Farm Fresh RI with an application for storm water pollution control and brownfields grant funding. During the summer of 2018, ES&M removed the two underground fuel storage tanks remaining on the property. Because of high water levels on the property, dewatering systems were necessary during this work. Both tanks showed evidence of leaking; therefore, ES&M removed impacted soil from the tank area as well as from a separate portion of the property. ES&M was also part of the project design team, completing all the civil site design and state permitting requirements through CRMC and RIDEM. The proposed redevelopment of this Site includes the addition of a 61,600 square foot distribution and sale facility, a loading dock with three truck spaces, a parking lot, a rain garden, grassed landscape areas, concrete walkways and patio areas. Storm water Best Management Practices (BMPs) were designed such as a rain garden along with an underground infiltration system which will utilize a total of three hundred twenty-four (324) chambers to provide groundwater recharge and storm water quality management to 100% of the facility. Once the subsurface met all state and local environmental regulations for redevelopment and obtained city and state permits, Farm Fresh RI began construction of The Farm Fresh RI Food Hub, a purpose-designed 60,000 square foot facility, half of which will house all of Farm Fresh RI’s programs and operations, including a year-round farmers market and the remaining space will be leased to food- and farm-related small businesses. ES&M has been responsible for all civil site design on this project with an expected completion in the fall 2020. ES&M conducts weekly site visits during construction and we are working closely with the Farm Fresh contractors to respond to any questions or site issues during construction activities. |
