March 14, 2007, King Street Dump received a Comprehensive Site Assessment Review Final Permit. (pages 1-10 (pdf) and pages 11-18 (pdf) )

BEAT appreciates the inclusion of full excavation and removal of the landfill and restoration of the wetland to pre-fill conditions, and removal of a portion of the landfill along the river with creation of a wetland buffer as alternatives. We were very disappointed that after the public was told that the Bureau of Solid Waste (BSW) from the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection would hold a public meeting about the King Street Dump in the fall of 2006, the BSW decided not to follow through on this. We were extremely displeased that full removal and partial removal of the dump were not included in the original permit. We understand that DEP's staff time is limited, but to not hold a public meeting and also not leave these options on the table would have been inexcusable.

We look forward to a public meeting about the King Street Dump this year. BEAT does not think that having at least one public meeting each year on this subject would be asking too much of the BSW.

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King Street Dump comment period was extended (2006)

On September 14, 2006 the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Solid Waste (BSW) released their Provisional Comprehensive Site Assessment (CSA) Review, King Street Dump, Pittsfield , Massachusetts. (pages 1-6 (pdf) and pages 7-14 (pdf) ) Although CSAs are not usually provisional, DEP BSW knew BEAT and other environmental groups wanted to review and possibly comment on the CSA, so they issued the CSA as provisional to allow us a chance to review the document.

BEAT did not feel that 21 days was enough time to review DEP's Provisional CSA Review, so BEAT has been talking with DEP BSW. They have offered to extend the comment period by 30 days.

BEAT's comments will include a request that other alternatives be analyzed, including complete removal of all the fill and removal of a wide band of fill to form a restored wetland between the dump and the river. This could have the added benefit of reducing flooding at Wahconah Park.

BEAT will be working closely with the Housatonic River Initiative to identify other areas in the Dump that should be tested for PCBs.

BEAT thinks all the abutters should have been notified as well as anyone who has commented in the past. We will be working with the other environmental groups to try to reach out to anyone who is interested in the King Street Dump to help them get information or make comments. If you have questions please email Jane@thebeatnews.org or call 413-230-7321.

BEAT would like to point out that the King Street Dump is in an Environmental Justice neighborhood. It is part of Wahconah Park and we feel it belongs to the public. The public should have a say on what is done here. DEP pointed out that one of the upcoming phases is the Alternatives Analysis, where the decision of what is to be done will be made. DEP feels that this is where the public is most likely to want to participate.

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