email today concerning City of Gardner, MA sewer sludge project.

Paula referred you question to me to assist you.  The City of Gardner has submitted a WP33 permit application to MassDEP proposing to to expand the sludge landfill.  All of the information on the permit application may be found on line at this link:  Search EEA Projects (state.ma.us).  Type in “Gardner Sludge Landfill” into the Site Name/Location Name to locate the record.  There is a document in the record (Appendix G of the Engineering Report) that identifies the location of any wells.

 

The project is subject to Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and the City of Gardner needs to submit an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) and obtain a final MEPA Certificate from the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs before MassDEP can issue any permits for the work.  The public will have the opportunity to provide comments during the MEPA review and also during the permit review.  We are uncertain when the City will file the ENF.  MassDEP’s technical review of the permit is on hold pending the completion of the MEPA process. 

 

A Notice of Intent has been filed with the Gardner Conservation Commission for the work and was issued MassDEP File Number 160-0654.  The Gardner Conservation Commission has not completed their review, so we have not received an Order of Conditions from them yet.  The Order of Conditions may be appealed by eligible parties within 10 business days of issuance for issues related to compliance with the Wetlands Protection Act and regulations.

 

Boston staff and Solid Waste Program staff are assisting CERO with the review of this project.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions and will try to assist you in answering your questions.  Also please let me know if you have any difficulty accessing the on line file.

 

Thank you.

 

Marielle Stone

Deputy Regional Director

Bureau of Water Resources

MassDEP - Central Regional Office

8 New Bond Street

Worcester, MA 01606

Cell:  508 713 3528