Opportunity for Comment
Maine Remedial Action Guidelines (RAGs) for Sites Contaminated with Hazardous Substances
Comment deadline: October 13, 2023, 11:59 PM
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP) is proposing to revise its guidance, "Maine Remedial Action Guidelines (RAGs) for Sites Contaminated with Hazardous Substances". This guidance is one approach that may be used to determine which contaminated sites pose a risk and therefore warrant clean-up. It may also be used to establish target clean-up levels and clear sites for reuse (close-out sites) once remediation is completed. The purpose of this guidance is to ensure:
- Protection of public health and welfare at and near contaminated sites;
- Consistency of remediation decisions in Maine; and
- Certainty for the regulated community.
It was 2021 when the last major changes were made to the RAGs. Recently a team from DEP and DHHS worked to develop this proposed revised draft. Major changes include:
- Updating default exposure factors to EPA's current recommendations;
- Re-evaluation of Maine exposure factors with updated data;
- Updated and added new compounds; and
- Added PFAS Maine Background Values.
Written comments on and questions regarding the proposed updates may be submitted to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 13, 2023 by email, mail or fax.
Agency contact:
Nick Hodgkins, Director Division of Remediation
17 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333
207-287-7688
207-287-7826 (fax)
Draft Maine Remedial Action Guidelines (RAGs) for Sites Contaminated with Hazardous Substances
Attachment A: Technical Support Document for Maine 2023 Remedial Action Guidelines
Attachment B: Supplemental