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EPA Cleanups: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site

Closed Public Comment Periods for the GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site

The following comment periods have closed.


EPA is accepting public comments during a formal comment period on the changes in the Proposed Revised Remedial Action from the 2016 Permit.  These changes are noted in redline/strikeout text in the Draft Revised 2020 Permit.

The comment period is from July 14 through September 18, 2020.  During the formal comment period, EPA will accept written comments via mail, email, and fax.  Additionally, verbal comments may be made during the formal Public Hearings scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2020 (two sessions, one at 1pm and one at 6:30pm) and Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 6:30pm, during which all offered comments during the hearing will be recorded.

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS, HEARING INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO COMMENT.


Public Hearing on the Draft Modification to the RCRA Permit

EPA will hold a public hearing on the Draft Modification to the RCRA Permit on September 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School (Duffin Theater). In response to several requests for extension, public comments on the Draft Permit will also be accepted through October 27, 2014.

Written comments on the proposed cleanup plan can be transmitted to EPA on or before Monday, October 27, 2014 in one of three ways:

Via email to r1housatonic@epa.gov

Via fax at 617.918.0028

Or mail comments, postmarked no later than Monday, October 27, 2014 to:

Dean Tagliaferro
EPA New England
c/o Weston Solutions
10 Lyman Street, Suite 2
Pittsfield, MA 01201


First Amendment of Agreement and Covenant Not to Sue: Pittsfield Economic Development Authority

Until April 16, 2012, the public may comment on a proposed amendment to an existing Prospective Purchaser Agreement with the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA). This amendment would allow PEDA to acquire certain shoreline parcels at Silver Lake so that a walking path and associated plantings can be constructed on non-private property. In exchange for certain liability protection, PEDA would have to impose institutional controls and protect the natural resource plantings around the walkway. Comments should be sent to John Kilborn, Senior Enforcement Counsel, EPA, at Kilborn.John@epa.gov or John W. Kilborn, Senior Enforcement Counsel, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, 5 Post Office Square (Mail Code OES4–3), Boston, MA 02109. See the Federal Register notice for further instructions on how to provide comments.

This document is available at the following link: PEDA Documents - Definitive Economic Development Agreement and Prospective Purchaser Agreement


General Electric Company's Revised Corrective Measures Study (CMS) Report for the Housatonic River Site, Rest of River

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing a second extension to the Informal Public Input Period on General Electric Company's Revised Corrective Measures Study (CMS) Report for the Housatonic River Site, Rest of River.

EPA will accept informal public input through Monday, January 31, 2011.

GE's Revised CMS is available on the EPA website at: Rest of River Corrective Measures Studies and Public Comments

The CMS includes GE's recommendations on which alternatives the company believes best meet the objectives and criteria specified for the Rest of River project. This recommendation from GE does not reflect EPA's views on the alternative that best meets the criteria in the permit.

EPA is reviewing GE's Revised CMS as well as GE's previous CMS submitted in March of 2008. EPA is now accepting comments from all interested organizations and individuals. After conducting its review and analyses, EPA will propose a cleanup plan for the Rest of River for public comment.

Comments may be submitted
by mail to:
Susan Svirsky, EPA Rest of River Project Manager
c/o Weston Solutions
10 Lyman Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201

by e-mail to:
Susan Svirsky (svirsky.susan@epa.gov) cc: Linda Palmieri (Linda.Palmieri@WestonSolutions.com)


General Electric Company's Work Plan for Evaluation of Additional Remedial Alternatives for the Rest of River portion of the Housatonic River

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing an extension until Friday, October 23, 2009 for the Informal Public Input Period on General Electric Company's Work Plan for Evaluation of Additional Remedial Alternatives for the Rest of River portion of the Housatonic River. The Work Plan was submitted as an addendum to GE's Corrective Measures Study (CMS) Proposal for the Rest of River.

EPA will accept informal public comments through Friday, October 23, 2009.

The Work Plan is available at: Rest of River Corrective Measures Study Proposal and Public Comments

Comments may be submitted to me by mail, email or fax:

Jim Murphy (murphy.jim@epa.gov), EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
c/o Weston Solutions
10 Lyman Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing a 30-day Informal Public Input Period on General Electric Company's Work Plan for Evaluation of Additional Remedial Alternatives for the Rest of River portion of the Housatonic River. The Work Plan was submitted as an addendum to GE's Corrective Measures Study (CMS) Proposal for the Rest of River.

EPA will accept informal public comments beginning Tuesday, September 8, 2009 through Wednesday, October 7, 2009.

Comments may be submitted to me by mail, email or fax:

Jim Murphy (murphy.jim@epa.gov), EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
c/o Weston Solutions
10 Lyman Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201


GE's Response to EPA's comments on GE's Corrective Measures Study (CMS) for the Housatonic River Site, Rest of River.

As a result of several requests from the public, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is extending the Informal Public Input Period on GE's Response to EPA's comments on GE's Corrective Measures Study (CMS) for the Housatonic River Site, Rest of River. EPA will accept public comments through May 11, 2009.

The document is available at: Rest of River Corrective Measures Studies and Public Comments

Comments may be submitted to me by mail, email or fax:

Jim Murphy (murphy.jim@epa.gov), EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
c/o Weston Solutions
10 Lyman Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201


Proposed 1½ Mile Berkshire Gas Settlement Agreement
Comment Period: November 19 - December 19, 2008
Public Meeting: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Justice is announcing a 30-day public comment period. The proposed Consent Decree provides that Berkshire Gas is entitled to contribution protection as provided by Section 113(f)(2) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9613(f)(2) for matters addressed by the Consent Decree.

The proposed Consent Decree is available at: 1 1/2 Mile Berkshire Gas Settlement Agreement

Comments should be:

addressed to:
the Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530
reference: United States v. The Berkshire Gas Company, (D. MA.), Civ. No. 8-CV- 30218, D.J. No. 90-11-3-09166.

Comments may be sent by:

e-mail to: pubcomment-ees.enrd@usdoj.gov or
delivery mail to: P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044-7611


Corrective Measures Study (CMS), March 2008

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing a 30-day extension to the Informal Public Input Period on GE's Corrective Measures Study (CMS) for the Housatonic River Site, Rest of River. EPA will now accept public comments through May 20, 2008. The public input period opened on March 22, 2008.

The CMS is available on EPA's website. The report is located in the Rest of River section under GE Reports/Documents and is available at: Rest of River Corrective Measures Studies and Public Comments

The CMS includes GE's recommendations on which alternatives the company believes best meet the objectives and criteria specified for the Rest of River project. EPA has started a review of GE's CMS and will be accepting comments from the CCC and the general public as well as from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, and other interested organizations and individuals.

Comments may be submitted to:

Susan Svirsky (svirsky.susan@epa.gov), EPA Rest of River Project Manager
c/o Weston Solutions
10 Lyman Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201