Updated: DEP Public Hearings regarding Proposed Title 5 Septic Changes in Coastal Areas
Updated 12/21/22
As you know, MassDEP recently extended the public comment period for the proposed Title 5 and Watershed Permitting draft regulations through January 30, 2023. The Department hopes to solicit additional feedback from the public, municipal leaders, and other stakeholders during the extended public comment period. To date, MassDEP has held two public Information Sessions and three Public Hearings. Recordings of those sessions and hearings can be found on MassDEP’s website here 310 CMR 15.000: Septic Systems ("Title 5") | Mass.gov
MassDEP will be holding two additional public Information Sessions and two Public Hearings as follows:
MassDEP will conduct two additional Information Sessions:
Remote Only, January 17, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Register in advance at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N_uqjwyuTYStvyKhHkAU5Q
In-person & Remote, January 18, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., at The Marketplace (second floor), UMass Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth, MA, 02747
Register for remote session in advance at (it is not necessary to register if you will be attending in-person):
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9hhEmYWWTSqq_UZf8suOgQ
MassDEP will conduct two additional public hearings:
Remote Only, January 24, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Register for remote session at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_veLVS545RCqGZhI6tuN2rQ
Remote Only, January 25, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Register for remote session at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Is2pAS_cR_uXvNhhs5r3oQ
The draft regulations are published on the MassDEP website at: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/massdep-public-hearings-comment-opportunities and at: 310 CMR 15.000: Septic Systems ("Title 5") | Mass.gov and 314 CMR 21.00: Watershed Permit Regulations | Mass.gov .
Please refer your constituents to the above web pages for information pertaining to these draft amendments and regulations.
Written comments can be submitted via email to dep.talks@mass.gov Please put Title 5 and Watershed Permitting in the subject line.
If you have any questions or would like to request a copy of the proposed amendments, please contact Marybeth Chubb via email, marybeth.chubb@mass.gov
Remote Only, January 24, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Register at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_veLVS545RCqGZhI6tuN2rQ
Remote Only, January 25, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Register at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Is2pAS_cR_uXvNhhs5r3oQ
Oral comments will be received at the above public hearings in January 2023 and written comments can be submitted via email to dep.talks@mass.gov. Please put “Title 5 and Watershed Permitting” in the subject line. Written comments may also be submitted by mail and should be sent to MassDEP, Bureau of Water Resources – Division of Watershed Management, 100 Cambridge Street, suite 900, Boston, MA 02114, Attention: Title 5 & Watershed Permit.
MassDEP also intends to hold two additional information sessions on: January 17, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. (remote) and January 18, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. (hybrid). More information about how to participate in these sessions will be provided on MassDEP’s website.
MassDEP has proposed these amendments and regulations to enhance protection of embayments and estuaries—particularly on Cape Cod, the Islands, the southern portion of the South Shore and the South Coast in Southeastern Massachusetts—from nitrogen pollution originating primarily from wastewater. The proposed amendments will allow MassDEP to designate new Natural Resource Area Nitrogen Sensitive Areas (NSA) and add nitrogen reduction provisions within these areas for Title 5 systems. The new Watershed Permit regulations at 314 CMR 21.00 provide a voluntary watershed permitting approach for communities to control nitrogen and other pollutants from entering the embayments and estuaries.
The draft regulations are published on the MassDEP website at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massdep-public-hearings-comment-opportunities and at: 310 CMR 15.000: Septic Systems ("Title 5") | Mass.gov and 314 CMR 21.00: Watershed Permit Regulations | Mass.gov
Recordings of previously held information sessions and public hearings can also be found here: 310 CMR 15.000: Septic Systems ("Title 5") | Mass.gov
Please refer your constituents to these web page locations for up-to-date information pertaining to these amendments and draft regulations.