Advisory committee asks that LSPA practitioners join PFAS Q&A and requests ORS update on guidance schedule

Members of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s advisory committee asked that practitioners from the Licensed Site Professional Association be offered the same question-and-answer opportunity following a PFAS presentation, and they requested a scheduling update from ORS on draft risk-assessment guidance.

"I think it would be really beneficial to everybody if that same opportunity was given for the PFAS q and a that, you know, the LSPA... has a lot of practitioners who have a lot of varied experience with PFAS investigation and risk assessment," one advisory committee member said, urging inclusion of the professional association in post-presentation dialogue.

MassDEP staff responded that the intention is to make room for such interaction. "We are gonna start rolling these questions and, comments 100% welcomed," the MassDEP staff member said, adding that the committee would continue to make PFAS a standing agenda item because the topic combines complex science with regulatory and feasibility questions.

A committee member specifically asked that ORS present at the next meeting and provide "an update on the schedule and sort of approach for comment, you know, response on the risk assessment guidance," saying many members were very interested in hearing from ORS. The committee also agreed to invite Greg Braun to attend when he is available to speak to these items.

The exchange was procedural and focused on stakeholder engagement and planning; no formal decisions or votes on guidance were taken during the session. Committee members emphasized the value of practitioner input and multi-party dialogue as the bureau moves forward with PFAS-related guidance work.