DEP solicits comments on regulatory reform

The Department of Environmental Protection is wrapping up its Regulatory Reform Initiative under the Economic Development Reorganization Act of 2010.

The agency has developed a wide range of regulatory reforms, which were released on March 1 in the final Regulatory Reform Action Plan.

The goal of the plan is to reduce redundant permitting, use performance standards rather than individual permits, and consolidate permit applications.

Many of the regulations would affect municipal permitting, including changes to permits for asbestos and emissions, water pollution discharge, Chapter 91 waterfront licensing, wetlands, stormwater and ecological restoration projects, sewer extensions and connections, solid waste and landfills, septic systems, and sludge disposal.

The draft regulations are now in the final stages of formal public comment.

Public comments on proposed revisions may be presented at the following hearings:
April 1: MassDEP Southeast Regional Office
April 3: Cape Cod Community College
April 11: MassDEP Western Regional Office
April 16: MassDEP Boston Headquarters

Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on May 10 and can be mailed to: Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Resource Protection – Regulatory Comment Box, 1 Winter St., 5th floor, Boston, MA 02108.

For more information and a list of the proposed regulatory reforms, visit www.mass.gov/dep/about/priorities/regreform.htm.