Rep. Driscoll Supports Inclusion of Lower Neponset River to the National Priorities List

Supportive of including the Lower Neponset River to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), Representative Driscoll sent the following letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

November 8, 2021

Michael S. Regan, Administrator

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA Docket Center, Superfund Docket

VIA: Online Submission

RE: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2021-0457 (Lower Neponset River, Boston/Milton, MA)

Dear Administrator Regan:

As State Representative of the 7th Norfolk District which includes the town of Milton, I am in strong support of adding the Lower Neponset River to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL).

It is my understanding that the EPA's assessment identified evidence of extensive PCB contamination of river bottom sediments; however, it concluded that there isn't a clearly identifiable source of the contamination. This is largely why support from the federal government is crucial. Neither the state or its impacted municipalities have the resources to identify the source of contamination or clean up the contaminated sediments themselves.

Leaving contaminated sediments in place poses significant public health and safety risks to the surrounding communities, especially to the environmental justice communities. Further contamination also prevents the launch of several projects aimed at improving the health of the river and enables the perception that the river is unsafe for recreational activity, discouraging some from taking advantage of its many benefits.

For these reasons, I am in full support of the inclusion of the site on the NPL.

Sincerely,

William J. Driscoll, Jr.

State Representative

7th Norfolk District