Towns Settle $21M EPA Cleanup Tab with Pocket Change and Sweat Equity
Published Date: 7/30/2026
Notice
Summary
Notice is hereby given of a proposed settlement regarding the Bliss Corner Neighborhood Site, located in Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, with the Settling Parties: the City of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and the Town of Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The proposed settlement requires the Town to pay EPA $50,000 and provide in-kind services with an estimated value of $2.75 million and the City to pay EPA $1,000.00 to resolve the matter at the Bliss Corner Neighborhood Site, where EPA has incurred past response costs of $21,329,439.21 as of April 30, 2026. In exchange, EPA will provide the Settling Parties with a covenant not to sue or take administrative action relating to the site. The settlement has been approved by the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the United States Department of Justice. For 30 days following the date of publication of this notice, the Agency will receive written comments relating to the settlement. The Agency will consider all comments received and may modify or withdraw its consent to this settlement if comments received disclose facts or considerations which indicate that the settlement is inappropriate, improper, or inadequate. The EPA's response to any comments received will be available for public inspection at the Environmental Protection Agency--Region 1, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109- 3912.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Town of Dartmouth: $50K plus $2.75M services
The Town of Dartmouth must pay the EPA $50,000 and provide in-kind services with an estimated value of $2,750,000 to resolve the Bliss Corner Neighborhood Site. These payments and services are in exchange for EPA's agreement not to sue or take administrative action relating to the site. Payment is due within 30 days after the Agreement's Effective Date; comments on the proposed settlement are due by August 31, 2026.
EPA covenant not to sue the parties
In exchange for the Town's payments and in-kind services and the City's payment, EPA will provide the City of New Bedford and the Town of Dartmouth a covenant not to sue or take administrative action relating to the Bliss Corner Neighborhood Site under CERCLA Sections 106 and 107(a), subject to standard reservations of rights. The Effective Date follows EPA's written notice after the public comment period closes; comments are due by August 31, 2026.
City of New Bedford: $1,000 payment
The City of New Bedford agrees to pay the EPA $1,000 to resolve the matter at the Bliss Corner Neighborhood Site based on a determination of financial inability to settle EPA's claim. That payment is due within 30 days after the Agreement's Effective Date; the public comment period for the proposed settlement ends August 31, 2026.
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Key Dates
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