Remediation of the Former Medfield State Hospital

Background:

The former Medfield State Hospital (MSH) site is located in Medfield, MA along the Charles River. The Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM)   maintains control of this approximately 225 acre property with its buildings, and plans to sell a large portion to private developers. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also owns approximately 225 acres to the west, and approximately 110 acres to the north of the MSH facility. Both of these areas were originally part of the hospital property, but are currently under the care and control of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (MassDCR).

Map of the Former Medfield State Hospital Project Site

(Source: June 2011 Notice of Intent - DCAM)

The MSH was used as a psychiatric treatment facility from 1896 until 2003, when it closed. It was a self-sufficient facility that included residential facilities, farm fields, a dairy facility, machine and carpentry shops, a laundry facility, and a power plant. Unfortunately, historical waste management practices were not up to the standards of today, and the MSH site currently includes 5 areas of concern due to high contamination levels (Shown in the figure below: Clay Containment Area, Construction Debris Area (C&D Area), Power Plant Area, Special Project Designation (SPD) Area, and the Salvage Yard Area). Under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) , DCAM is currently evaluating the extent and nature of the contamination at each of these sites and will be responsible for the remediation.

Map of specific MCP Sites throughout the MSH property

(Source: September 2011 Phase II Comprehensive Site Assessment Annual Report - DCAM)

CRWA has been closely tracking and has been involved in DCAM's proposed cleanup plans for MSH. Of particular concern to CRWA is the cleanup of the Construction and Demolition Area (C&D Area); the area directly bordering the Charles River. The site is contaminated with coal ash, oil and hazardous materials , metals, asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds (i.e. tetrachloroethylene - PCE). CRWA objects to DCAM's plan to cap rather than to excavate and restore this abandoned dump area adjacent to the river, as well as contaminated sediment in the river.  We are particularly concerned about contamination continuing to migrate into the Charles, and the proposed use of riprap armoring along the banks, which capping would require. Restoration should include bank restoration, the removal of the contaminated sediments from the river, and excavation of the contaminated fill with the C&D Area within the Riverfront Area. 

On August 26, 2011, the Medfield Conservation Commission approved DCAM's Notice of Intent (NOI), by issuing an Order of Conditions (OOC). CRWA appealed the Conservation Commission's OOC by requesting a Superseding Order from MassDEP. The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR), which owns the Rocky Narrows property directly across the Charles River from the MSH site, appealled the OOC along with CRWA. Both CRWA and TTOR appealed becase the Conservation Commission's OOC fails to comply with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act; numerous performance standards were not met (See Request for Superseding Order below), the OOC would permit work having significant environmental effects, and DCAM failed to prove there were no practical alternatives to the work proposed.

MassDEP has granted a stay on the request for a Superceding OOC, allowing DCAM time to engage stakeholders, revisit other alternatives, and formulate a more suitable final remedy for everyone involved. Working towards this goal, CRWA attended two meetings this January (2012) at the Medfield Town House held by DCAM, to discuss the modification to the Immediate Response Action (IRA) Plan, potential remediation strategies, as well as any outstanding questions the town or other stakeholders had about the project.  CRWA continues to push for a long-term, ecologically sustainable solution to the remediation, and in addition to being actively involved in these stakeholder meetings, CRWA continues to work for an environmentally healthy solution through submission of comments to project plans (such as the IRA modification below).

Recent CRWA Actions:

The Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) recently evaluated various remedies and selected mechanical dredging of contaminated river sedimetns and a partial removal and cover of the 3.2 acre dump with bank biostabilization.  CRWA disagrees with DCAM's proposed rememdy, both in terms of short term environmental effects (excessive turbidity and downstream migration of contaminated sediment during dredging), and long-term reliability (DCAM’s approach calls for contaminated fill to remain in contact with the water table presenting potential future migration pathways). CRWA is advocating for changes, including blocking off the river area during dredging with a coffer dam, to ensure precise removal of the contamination, and to eliminate turbidity and the risk of spreading the contamination. For the dump, CRWA recommends that DCAM at an absolute minimum remove the hazardous material in contact with groundwater to prevent its migration to the river.   Read the comment letter.

Recent News about the MSH Remediation:

January 20, 2012:       Selectman Peterson's Blog

January 20, 2012:       Watch: DCAM presents plans at Medfield Public Meeting

November 10, 2011:   Medfield Resident Responds to Town Administrator's Comments

November 4, 2011:     Medfield Awaits DCAM's Next Move

October 25, 2011:       DCAM Withdraws Army Corps Permit

October 11, 2011:       MassDEP Site Visit

October 10, 2011:       Editorial: Remediate MSH 100%

October 4, 2011:         Support from Senator & State Reps

September 23, 2011: Army Corps Meets with Medfield Residents

August 23, 2011:         Stakeholders Meeting with MassDEP

Past Comment Letters:  

EENF for Former Medfield State Hospital - March 19, 2010

Former Medfield State Hospital ENF - August 18, 2009

For more information on Medfield State Hospital and current developments, meetings, and decisions, please see the Town of Medfield's Medfield State Hospital webpage.