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EPA cleanup plan for Lower Neponset River could seek large federal funds; MassDEP says projects funded under bipartisan infrastructure law are proceeding
Summary
MassDEP federal grants staff and participants discussed Superfund funding status, ongoing cleanups funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law, and a proposed EPA removal of contaminated sediment in the Lower Neponset River that may seek roughly $78 million for dredging the first mile and to facilitate a separate dam removal.
MassDEP staff and stakeholders discussed the status of Superfund funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law and current cleanup work. Department federal grants staff said projects funded through the bipartisan infrastructure law are continuing and that state staff are coordinating with EPA Region 1 on terms and conditions for grant and cleanup work.
Diane, a MassDEP federal grants contact, told the group that cleanups funded under the bipartisan infrastructure law are underway at several sites and that those funds "are secure" for sites currently in remediation. Diane said EPA plans to request funding for an initial removal action at the Lower Neponset River site and that the agency hopes to present the request to the federal panel that approves Superfund expenditures in the fall, but that exact timing is not finalized.
EPA has proposed a non‑time‑critical removal for the Lower Neponset River that would involve dredging roughly the river's first mile, Diane said, and estimated the proposed removal could be on the order of $78,000,000. The proposed cleanup would also facilitate removal of an upstream dam that contains contaminated sediment behind it; Diane said dam removal would be coordinated among agencies and could proceed separately from EPA's remediation.
Why it matters: the proposed removal represents a major cleanup investment affecting the river, potential dam removal, and related environmental restoration. EPA's funding request and the federal panel's decision will determine whether and when the large removal proceeds.
Ending: MassDEP staff said they will continue to work with EPA and monitor grant acceptance and terms and that stakeholders should expect further updates as EPA moves toward any formal funding request and federal approvals.
