Stop Toxic Dirt
Toxic Dirt = Toxic Towns
These Reclamation Projects Don't Belong in Our Towns
We are all affected by this soil reclamation project at 161 Nashua Road. This project is proposing to dump an estimated 3 million cubic yards of "regulated" contaminants right in our own back yard. No level of contaminants are safe nor acceptable.
This site is your resource for this project and how it can impact our drinking water, safety and our health.
Please click on the button below to read the most recent summary and timeline dated July 1, 2019.
We need your help and support
This project impacts all Pepperell residents and surrounding communities including Groton, Dunstable & Hollis
What you need to know
Site location is at 161 Nashua Road adjacent to Pepperell Skydiving
The dumping will be 200 yards from the Nashua River putting it at risk for toxins
The dumping will also be 100 feet from Pepperell Zone II Water Wells used to supply water to all of Pepperell - High risk of toxins entering our well water
The project is projected to run for 8-9 years equating to 64 - 100 trucks PER DAY or 8-10 trucks PER HOUR
Traffic and safety concerns are immense for our school busses, children, bike riders and the entire town having to navigate around and with these 18 wheelers
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As Promised, you can find the entire presentation deck below. If you have any questions at all please send us a message.
The applicant (MCGI/Terra Environmental) requested a meeting to clear up what they perceived were misunderstandings and assure the town that they are reputable. A meeting took place on 8/5/19 with the Town Administrator (TA), representatives from the Planning Department, Board of Health, The Select Board (BOS), the applicants's Licensed Site Professional and an MCGI representative.
The Full Memorandum can be found here.
A summary of the meeting follows. Although the proposal states the intent is to prepare the property for future uses, the applicant said that they have no current plans for future use. The TA stated residential uses and light commercial, such as indoor athletic facilities, for example would receive favorable attention from the Town and could perhaps be undertaken on the site as is. BOS member asked if the applicant's engineering firm had any violations on their Groveland MA project site, to which they replied "no". BOS then shared a March 2019 MA DEP penalty letter for MCGI Groveland violations.
Flash Update
Frequently Asked Questions
What actiosn has Pepperell taken in response to the proposal?
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Select Board sent two letters to Mass DEP opposing the proposal
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Select Board notified surrounding towns of proposal
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Board of Health authored a Fill Importation Regulation
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Building Inspector issued a Determination Letter that the proposed project was not an approved use per our Zoning Table of Uses
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Legal Action - Pepperell and Pepperell Watchers Group are currently in Land Court case with MCGI
What actions has the State of MA taken in response to the proposal?
The Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection (MA DEP)
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Responded to the initial applicant proposal with 5 pages of questions or inaccuracies concerning other issues
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Assured town officials and residents that they will not issue an Administrative Consent Order (ACO), which is the state approval for the project to commence, unless the Select Board supports it
What actiosn has Pepperell taken in response to the proposal?
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Select Board sent two letters to Mass DEP opposing the proposal
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Select Board notified surrounding towns of proposal
-
Board of Health authored a Fill Importation Regulation
-
Building Inspector issued a Determination Letter that the proposed project was not an approved use per our Zoning Table of Uses
-
Legal Action - Pepperell and Pepperell Watchers Group are currently in Land Court case with MCGI
What actions has the State of MA taken in response to the proposal?
The Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection (MA DEP)
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Responded to the initial applicant proposal with 5 pages of questions or inaccuracies concerning other issues
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Assured town officials and residents that they will not issue an Administrative Consent Order (ACO), which is the state approval for the project to commence, unless the Select Board supports it
If the State said they won't give approval, why are you still focused on fighting this proposed project?
Even without State approval, the applicant could still start hauling in soil at any time. This has been a concern from the time of the application. The applicant accepts full liability for any violation of laws without MA DEP oversight.
What can I do to help?
Here are some small, impactful actions that each of us can do to make a difference.
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Call your Representatives, Senators or Governor Baker
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Donate to the Citizens litigation fund
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Display a No Toxic Dirt sign
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Share your concerns with neighbors and friends
Where will this dirt be dumped?
The proposed site location is at 161 Nashua Rd in Pepperell. If you pull into the access road to the Pepperell Sky Diving Center it will be to your right.
Is there a risk to my drinking water?
Absolutely, the proposed dumping site is 100 yards from Pepperell Zone II Water Well that provides water for all of Pepperell residents and is adjacent to an aquifer shared with Hollis NH. If toxins enter this well we may no longer be able to use this well.
How many trucks of dirt are we talking about?
The number of truck loads are staggering. The estimate is 8-10 trucks per HOUR. This works out to as many as 100 trucks per day for 7-9 years. This could be 160,000 truckloads over the course of 9 years.
Could this impact surrounding towns?
Yes. Dunstable, Hollis, Groton and Nashua will be impacted in different ways, some will suffer through toxins entering the Nashua River, others will endure the 100 trucks per day on their roads creating traffic, safety and maintenance risks.
Does the town of Pepperell want this?
No. The town of Pepperell does not support this project and are providing information as it becomes available to us. The Board of Health adopted Fill Importation Regulations in December of 2018. The Board of Selectmen have made their stance clear in public and in two written documents to MassDEP.
Could there be a financial impact on my taxes?
Potentially yes. Pepperell Tax-Payers will not only be funding the road maintenance but will also be funding a full-time LSP (Licensed Site Professional) and an Environmental Special Counsel. If there are problems with contamination, there could be negative effects on property values and drinking water in Pepperell and Hollis.
Most Recent News Coverage
What can I do to help stop this project?
We need everyone to attend meetings, reach out to your local state officials, encourage your neighbors to stay focused on the issues and share your email address with us so we can alert you when there is new information to share.
We want to hear from you
Have questions about how you could be impacted? We are here to help educate everyone of the risks of this project. Just fill out the form below and submit.
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