Massachusetts DEP Shifts to Mandatory Electronic Filing for Contaminated Site Cleanup Documents

Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. - Massachusetts Environmental, Land Use & Real Estate Alert, 2009

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (“MassDEP”) Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup announced on February 10 that it has become the first site cleanup program in the nation to implement an all-electronic file submittal and review system.  As of January 1, 2009, all documents relating to assessments and cleanups under M.G.L. c. 21E and the Massachusetts Contingency Plan must be filed electronically.

MassDEP stated that its electronic filing system, known as “eDEP,” will allow any person online access to records within 10 minutes of submittal.  DEP also expects the paperless system will reduce filing costs, provide a secure backup system for records, and provide easier citizen access to cleanup records without the need for in-person file reviews.

MassDEP noted that its next goal in expanding its online services is to make available electronically more than 15 years worth of previous hard-copy submittals also known as “legacy” files.  DEP stated it is committed to completing the necessary scanning by July 2009. 

For further information, contact Jeanine Grachuk at jgrachuk@bdlaw.com or Krista L. Hawley at khawley@bdlaw.com.