Background

View a larger version of this image.On September 24, 2014, EPA Region 1 (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) reissued final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for seven bulk petroleum storage facilities located along Chelsea River in Chelsea, Revere and East Boston, Massachusetts to meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act. These permits become effective December 1, 2014, pending appeal, and will replace those issued in 2005-2006. EPA also issued a Response to Comments for the seven permits and Environmental Justice Analysis prepared in support of the permitting actions. Further information, including copies of the current, draft and final permits and key supporting documentation, is available on this web site using the links below. Documents may be downloaded and printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

View a larger version of this image.The permits seek to address potential adverse impacts to aquatic life, aesthetics, and recreation due to the discharge of stormwater and non-stormwater from these facilities. The permits limit the extent to which petroleum products (e.g., gasoline, ethanol, diesel, kerosene, and fuel oil) or pollutants found in these products come in contact with stormwater during: 1) the unloading or offloading of product at the marine vessel dock; 2) the transfer and storage of product into the bulk storage tanks located within the tank farm; and 3) the off-site distribution of product at the truck loading rack. All of the facilities discharge into Chelsea Creek. In addition, the Global REVCO Terminal also discharges to a tributary leading to Sales Creek. Several facilities (i.e., Chelsea Sandwich, Sunoco Logistics, and Global Petroleum) also have active groundwater remediation systems whose discharges have been incorporated into their current permits.

Individuals with further questions concerning the permits may contact: Shauna Little, Industrial NPDES Permits at (617) 918-1989 or little.shauna@epa.gov

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Final Permits

The final permits, response to comments and supporting documentation for the seven terminals, listed by their respective NPDES permit numbers, are available as follows:

• Chelsea Sandwich Terminal (Chelsea) (PDF) (283 pp, 2.8 MB) (MA0003280)
• Gulf Oil Terminal (Chelsea) (PDF) (278 pp, 3.2 MB) (MA0001091)
• Global REVCO Terminal (Revere) (PDF) (289 pp, 3 MB) (MA0003298)
• Global Petroleum Terminal (Revere) (PDF) (294 pp, 2.9 MB) (MA0003425)
• Global South Terminal (Revere) (PDF) (278 pp, 2.8 MB) (MA0000825)
• Irving Oil Terminal (Revere) (PDF) (279 pp, 2.9 MB) (MA0001929)
• Sunoco Logistics Terminal (East Boston) (PDF) (294 pp, 3.4 MB) (MA0004006)

Draft Permits

On March 14, 2014, EPA and MassDEP issued draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for the seven bulk petroleum storage facilities located along Chelsea River for a 60-day public comment period. EPA also issued an Environmental Justice Analysis in support of the permitting actions. The draft permits for the seven terminals, listed by their respective NPDES permit numbers, are available as follows:

• Chelsea Sandwich Terminal (Chelsea) (PDF) (116 pp, 2.2 MB) (MA0003280)
• Gulf Oil Terminal (Chelsea) (PDF) (113 pp, 2.6 MB) (MA0001091)
• Global REVCO Terminal (Revere) (PDF) (122 pp, 2.3 MB) (MA0003298)
• Global Petroleum Terminal (Revere) (PDF) (127 pp, 2.3 MB) (MA0003425)
• Global South Terminal (Revere) (PDF) (111 pp, 2.2 MB) (MA0000825)
• Irving Oil Terminal (Revere) (PDF) (112 pp, 2.4 MB) (MA0001929)
• Sunoco Logistics Terminal (East Boston) (PDF) (130 pp, 3.1 MB) (MA0004006)

Note: EPA made corrections to Draft Permit MA0004006 for the Total Suspended Solids limit at Outfall 001 (Part I.A.1., page 2) and Monitoring and Reporting requirements (Part I.E., page 24-26). These changes have been made to correct errors in the transcription of limits and requirements established and explained in the Fact Sheet (Section 7.2.2 Total Suspended Solids, pages 14-15 and Section 11. Monitoring, pages 40-41).

• Summary of Corrections (PDF) (4 pp, 86 K)
• Correction Notice to Permittee dated April 11, 2014 (PDF) (2 pp, 509 K)

Also, EPA terminated the following NPDES permit, issued in 2005 with the majority of permits above:

• Coastal Oil Terminal (Chelsea) (MA0004375)

  Coastal Oil of New England, Inc. - Chelsea Terminal (MA0004375)

  The Coastal Oil facility, which is located in Chelsea, Massachusetts, is engaged in the receipt, storage, and distribution of petroleum products. The product spectrum handled by this facility consists of asphalt, No.2 Fuel Oil, and various product additives. Petroleum products are received in bulk quantities at the marine vessel dock. Product is then transferred to aboveground storage tanks located within the facility’s tank farm. Final distribution of product is conducted at the facility’s truck loading rack. The NPDES discharge is primarily from storm water runoff from pervious and impervious areas at the facility including the tank farm, loading rack, and marine vessel dock. On occasion, the facility may also discharge treated water used in the hydrostatic testing of recently repaired tanks. The storm water and hydrostatic test water discharges are to the Chelsea River through Outfall 001.

  EPA was notified through a letter dated May 28, 2004, that the facility is currently inactive and that there have been no petroleum products stored on-site since March 2003. The letter also states that the facility has been put up for sale by Coastal Oil. Coastal Oil is still requesting that their existing NPDES permit be renewed. EPA is planning to re-issue the draft NPDES Permit to the Coastal Oil facility to ensure that the storm water that is being discharged from the inactive facility, continues to be regulated in a manner which is protective of human health and the environment. The re-issuance of the permit will ensure that the most current monitoring conditions and effluent limitations remain in effect. In the event that the property is sold or transferred after the issuance of this NPDES Permit, then the new owner must notify EPA of any changes at the facility and is required to continue to comply with the appropriate sections of the Clean Water Act.

  Coastal Oil of New England Inc. - Chelsea Terminal Final Permit (PDF) (12 pp, 551 K)

  Permit Attachments:

  • Part II - General Conditions (PDF) (25 pp, 142 K)
  • Coastal Oil of New England - Revere Terminal Fact Sheet (PDF) (26 pp, 158 K)
  • Fact Sheet Attachments:
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 1 - Site Location Map (PDF) (1 pg, 217 K)
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 2 - Terminal Plot Plan (PDF) (1 pg, 1.4 MB)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment A - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (1998 to 2003) (PDF) (14 pp, 294 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment B - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (2001 to 2003) for Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds (PDF) (2 pp, 39 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment C - Endangered Species List (PDF) (6 pp, 294 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment D - Essential Fish Habitat Designation (PDF) (7 pp, 784 K)

Public Notice

• Public Notice, March 14, 2014 (PDF) (4 pp, 132 K)
• Anuncio Público, 14 de marzo de 2014 (PDF) (5 pp, 24 K)

EPA accepted public comments on the draft permits during the public notice period from March 14, 2014 to May 12, 2014. During this public notice period, EPA also held a public meeting and hearing on April 17, 2014 in Chelsea, Massachusetts.

EPA and MassDEP received comments at the public hearing regarding the draft permits as well as comments in writing. EPA responded to significant comments received during the public notice period in the Response to Comments included with each final permit, available above.

Environmental Justice Analysis

As noted above, EPA issued an Environmental Justice Analysis on March 14, 2014. EPA also received comments at the public hearing regarding the Environmental Justice Analysis as well as comments in writing. EPA responded to significant comments received during the public notice period in the Response to Comments included with each final permit, available above. The Environmental Justice Analysis is provided below:

• Environmental Justice Analysis in Support of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits for the Chelsea River Bulk Petroleum Storage Facilities (PDF) (34 pp, 1.5 MB)
• Análisis de justicia ambiental en apoyo de los permisos del Sistema Nacional de Eliminación de Descargas de Contaminantes para las instalaciones de almacenamiento de petróleo a granel del río Chelsea (PDF) (36 pp, 1.1 MB)

Individuals with further questions concerning the Environmental Justice Analysis may contact: Sharon Wells, Office of Civil Rights and Urban Affairs at (617) 918-1007 or wells.sharon@epa.gov.

2005-2006 Permit Documents

The 2005-2006 permits were jointly issued by EPA and the MADEP in 2005 and 2006. The permits are available at the links provided below:

Permits:

• Chelsea Sandwich Terminal (MA0003280)

  Chelsea Sandwich, LLC

  The Chelsea Sandwich facility, which is located in Chelsea, Massachusetts, is engaged in the receipt, storage, and distribution of petroleum products.

  Chelsea Sandwich, LLC Final Permit (PDF) (15 pp, 595 K)

  Permit Attachments

  • Part II - General Conditions (PDF) (25 pp, 142 K)
  • Chelsea Sandwich Fact Sheet (PDF) (32 pp, 168 K)
  • Fact Sheet Attachments:
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 1 - Site Location Map (PDF) (1 pg, 236 K)
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 2 - Terminal Plot Plan (PDF) (1 pg, 1.9 MB)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment A - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (1998 To 2003) (PDF) (15 pp, 307 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment B - Summary of Ground Water Monitoring Date (2003 to 2004)
      • November 2003
        • November 14 (PDF) (20 pp, 891 K)
        • November 17 (PDF) (24 pp, 993 K)
        • November 19 (PDF) (27 pp, 104 K)
      • December 2003 (PDF) (19 pp, 582 K)
      • March 2004 (PDF) (7 pp, 192 K)
      • April 2004
        • Attachment B 1 (PDF) (7 pp, 189 K)
        • Attachment B 2 (PDF) (8 pp, 200 K)
      • May 2004 (PDF) (7 pp, 189 K)
      • June 2004
        • June 4 (PDF) (7 pp, 207 K)
        • June 28 (PDF) (25 pp, 719 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment C - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (2001 to 2003) for Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds (PDF) (2 pp, 38 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment D - Endangered Species List (PDF) (6 pp, 292 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment E - Essential Fish Habitat Designation (PDF) (7 pp, 683 K)
  Gulf Oil Terminal (MA0001091)

  Gulf Oil Limited Partnership

  The Gulf Oil facility, which is located in Chelsea, Massachusetts, is engaged in the receipt, storage, and distribution of petroleum products.

  Gulf Oil Limited Partnership Final Permit (PDF) (12 pp, 487 K)

  Permit Attachments

  • Part II - General Conditions (PDF) (25 pp, 142 K)
  • Gulf Oil Fact Sheet (PDF) (30 pp, 163 K)
  • Fact Sheet Attachments:
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 1 - Site Location Map (PDF) (1pg, 222 K)
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 2 - Terminal Plot Plan (PDF) (1pg, 2.8 MB)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment A - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (1998 to 2003) (PDF) (23 pp, 612 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment B - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (2001 to 2003) for Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds (PDF) (2 pp, 40 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment C - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (2001 to 2003) for Volatile Organic Compounds (PDF) (2 pp, 36 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment D - Endangered Species List (PDF) (6 pp, 293 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment E - Essential Fish Habitat Designation (PDF) (7 pp, 683 K)
  Global REVCO Terminal (MA0003298)

  Global REVCO Terminal, LLC

  The Global REVCO facility is engaged in the receipt, storage, and distribution of petroleum products.

  Global REVCO Terminal, LLC Final Permit (PDF) (14 pp, 546 K)

  Permit Attachments

  • Part II - General Conditions (PDF) (25 pp, 142 K)
  • Global REVCO Fact Sheet (PDF) (33 pp, 173 K)
  • Fact Sheet Attachments
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 1 - Site Location Map (PDF) (1 pg, 289 K)
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 2 - Global REVCO Terminal Plot Plan (PDF) (1 pg, 2.1 MB)
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 3 - Global Petroleum Terminal Plot Plan (PDF) (1 pg, 1.8 MB)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment A - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (1998 To 2003)
      • Attachment A 1 (PDF) (36 pp, 2 MB)
      • Attachment A 2 (PDF) (37 pp, 2 MB)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment B - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (2001 to 2003) for Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds (PDF) (3 pp, 64 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment C - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (2001 to 2003) for Volatile Organic Compounds (PDF) (3 pp, 62 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment D - Endangered Species List (PDF) (6 pp, 293 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment E - Essential Fish Habitat Designation (PDF) (7 pp, 683 K)
  Global Petroleum Terminal (MA0003425)

  Global Petroleum Corporation

  The Global Petroleum facility, which is located in Revere, Massachusetts, is engaged in the receipt, storage, and distribution of petroleum products.

  Global Petroleum Corporation Final Permit (PDF) (18 pp, 787 K)

  Permit Attachments

  • Part II - General Conditions (PDF) (25 pp, 142 K)
  • Global Petroleum Fact Sheet (PDF) (37 pp, 213 K)
  • Fact Sheet Attachments
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 1 - Site Location Map (PDF) (1 pg, 259 K)
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 2 - Terminal Plot Plan (PDF) (1 pg, 1.8 MB)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment A - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (1998 to 2003) (PDF) (16 pp, 311 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment B - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (2001 to 2003) for Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds (PDF) (2 pp, 37 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment C - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (2001 to 2003) for Volatile Organic Compounds (PDF) (2 pp, 33 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment D - Summary of Ground Water Monitoring Data (2004)
      • February 2004 (PDF) (17 pp, 293 K)
      • March 2004 (PDF) (17 pp, 297 K)
      • April 2004 (PDF) (34 pp, 825 K)
      • May 2004 (PDF) (32 pp, 792 K)
      • June 2004 (PDF) (31 pp, 783 K)
      • July 2004 (PDF) (16 pp, 380 K)
      • August 2004 (PDF) (29 pp, 759 K)
      • September 2004 (PDF) (32 pp, 836 K)
      • October 2004 (PDF) (18 pp, 321 K)
      • November 2004 (PDF) (17 pp, 294 K)
      • December 2004 (PDF) (17 pp, 301 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment E - Endangered Species List (PDF) (6 pp, 291 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment F - Essential Fish Habitat Designation (PDF) (7 pp, 696 K)
  Global South Terminal (MA0003425)

  Global South Terminal, LLC

  The Global South facility, which is located in Revere, Massachusetts, is primarily engaged in the receipt, storage, and distribution of petroleum products.

  Global South Terminal, LLC Final Permit (PDF) (13 pp, 531 K)

  Permit Attachments

  • Part II - General Conditions (PDF) (25 pp, 142 K)
  • Global South Fact Sheet (PDF) (30 pp, 189 K)
  • Fact Sheet Attachments
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 1 - Site Location Map (PDF) (1pg, 308 K)
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 2 - Terminal Plot Plan (PDF) (1pg, 165 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment A - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (1998 to 2003) (PDF) (14 pp, 309 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment B - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (2001 to 2003) for Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds (PDF) (2 pp, 38 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment C - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (2001 to 2003) for Volatile Organic Compounds (PDF) (2 pp, 38 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment D - Endangered Species List (PDF) (6 pp, 293 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment E - Essential Fish Habitat Designation (PDF) (7 pp, 683 K)
  Irving Oil Terminal (MA0001929)

  Irving Oil Terminal - Revere

  The Irving Oil facility, which is located in Revere, Massachusetts, is engaged in the receipt, storage, and distribution of petroleum products.

  Irving Oil Terminal - Revere Final Permit (PDF) (12 pp, 494 K)

  Permit Attachments

  • Part II - General Conditions (PDF) (25 pp, 142 K)
  • Irving Oil Fact Sheet (PDF) (32 pp, 195 K)
  • Fact Sheet Attachments
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 1 - Site Location Map (PDF) (1 pg, 194 K)
    • Fact Sheet Figure No. 2 - Terminal Plot Plan (1 pg, 2.4 MB)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment A - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (1998 to 2003) (PDF) (15 pp, 300 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment B - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (2001 to 2003) for Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds (PDF) (3 pp, 59 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment C - Summary of Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Results (2001 to 2003) for Volatile Organic Compounds (PDF) (2 pp, 32 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment D - Endangered Species List (PDF) (6 pp, 293 K)
    • Fact Sheet Attachment E - Essential Fish Habitat Designation (PDF) (7 pp, 683 K)
  Sunoco Logistics Terminal (MA0004006)

  Sunoco Logistics Terminal

  • Sunoco Logistics Terminal (ConocoPhillips East Boston Terminal) Final Permit (PDF) (16 pp, 81 K)

A joint public information meeting and public hearing was held in Chelsea, Massachusetts on April 27, 2005 for six of the current permits listed above and the permit terminated for Coastal Oil. EPA prepared a response to comments based on comments received during the public notice period and at the public hearing for these permits. Summaries of the comments and EPA's responses to comments, listed in the document "Chelsea Creek Fuel Terminals Responses to Comments," and additional materials related to the 2005-2006 permits are provided below.

2005-2006 Documents:

• Chelsea Creek Fuel Terminals Responses to Comments (PDF) (21 pp, 97 K)
• April 2005 Public Meeting Presentation (PDF) (27 pp, 1.4 MB)
• Chelsea Creek Fuel Terminals Summary Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 457 K)
• Chelsea Creek Fuel Terminals Public Notice (PDF) (4 pp, 190 K)