Bill > H916

This bill amends the existing laws related to the siting of refuse facilities in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Defining a "Facility Density Zone" as an area where 5 or more existing facility sites are situated within 4 miles of a proposed new or expanded facility site. 2. Requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Public Health to provide reports on the proposed facility's compliance with site suitability criteria and potential public health and safety impacts. 3. Allowing neighboring municipalities within 0.5 miles of a proposed facility to hold a public hearing and provide a determination on the suitability of the proposed facility. 4. Mandating an environmental impact report for new or expanded facilities located in a Facility Density Zone or with a capacity of 150 tons or more per day. 5. Requiring the local board of health to hold a public hearing and consider the reports from the state agencies and neighboring municipalities before deciding whether to assign the site for the facility. 6. Providing an appeals process for aggrieved parties to challenge the local board of health's decision. 7. Prohibiting the DEP from issuing a permit for a facility unless the environmental impact report has been approved and the required findings have been made to avoid or mitigate potential environmental damage.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H916