Press Release: 7/18/2025

MassDEP Secures $2.1 Million for Damage to Natural Resources in Attleboro and Norton

 

Holds Landfill Users Accountable for Hazardous Release of Toxic Waste

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

7/17/2025

MEDIA CONTACT

Fabienne Alexis, Public Affairs Assistant Director / MassDEP

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Call Fabienne Alexis, Public Affairs Assistant Director / MassDEP at 857-274-7522

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Email Fabienne Alexis, Public Affairs Assistant Director / MassDEP at fabienne.alexis@mass.gov

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced a $2.1 million settlement to resolve claims for natural resource damages caused by releases of hazardous substances from the Shpack Landfill Site in Attleboro and Norton, Massachusetts.

The Shpack Landfill, which operated from 1946 until approximately 1975, accepted various types of waste, including toxic and radioactive materials. These hazardous substances contaminated water, sediment, groundwater, wetlands, and soil in the Attleboro and Norton areas, resulting in injury to natural resources that serve as habitats for fish and wildlife.

"Though nothing can ever make up for the nearly 30 years of environmental contamination and harm to natural resources at the former Shpack Landfill, I’m grateful to have helped secure this monumental settlement to ensure that the public is compensated for the injuries at the site," said AG Campbell. "I am thankful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their collaboration in achieving this important outcome."

"This funding will help repair decades of industrial pollution that have damaged wetlands and wildlife habitats in Norton and Attleboro," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "We look forward to working with local partners to turn this settlement into real, on-the-ground restoration projects. We appreciate the work of the Department of Justice and Attorney General Campbell in securing this resolution and helping revitalize these areas for future generations."

This settlement compensates the public for injuries to natural resources. A previous settlement outlined the remediation of the site; cleanup was conducted from 2004 to 2013 according to that plan.

"Decades of dedication, hard work, and a commitment to preserving our natural resources is what got us here today," said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. "I’m grateful to our MassDEP team and many partners who achieved cleanup of the site, and now for the opportunities presented by this additional funding to restore natural resources and serve nearby communities."

The natural resource trustees for the site are the Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), acting through the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), and the U.S. Department of the Interior, acting through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In 1986, the Shpack Landfill Site was placed on the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is a list of hazardous waste sites that pose the greatest threat to human health, welfare, and the environment. In 2009, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts entered a Consent Decree between the United States, acting through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and various parties which governed cleanup of the Site.

"The Shpack Landfill Natural Resource Damage settlement is a major milestone in our efforts to restore the ecosystems that were harmed by hazardous materials released at the landfill," said Sharon Marino, acting regional director for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region. "This settlement reflects strong collaboration with our partners in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a shared commitment to restoring these ecosystems. We appreciate the efforts of the Department of Justice and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office in reaching this important settlement and look forward to the new opportunities that will be created to improve the health of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats for residents and visitors to enjoy."