On April 2, 2026, the Natural Resource Trustees for the Nyanza Superfund Site released a Draft Supplement (PDF, 36 pages) to the 2012 Final Restoration Plan/Environmental Assessment (RP/EA) for public review and comment. The Draft Supplement evaluates alternatives to improve migratory (or diadromous) fish passage on the Concord River and analyzes potential environmental impacts, including those of the preferred alternative: partial removal of the Talbot Mills Dam in Billerica, Massachusetts.

The original RP/EA (PDF, 224 pages) was developed in 2012 to identify restoration projects that restore the natural resources of the Sudbury River. The natural resources injured as a result of contamination from the Nyanza Site include:

• Adjacent wetlands and floodplains
• Present or historically present species including fish, amphibians, reptiles, other aquatic organisms, birds, and mammals

The original Final RP/EA allocated $3,595,000 toward 12 restoration projects. One of the restoration projects included funding for a feasibility study, project design, and permitting for diadromous fish passage at the Talbot Mills Dam. 

The remaining funds left over from completed restoration projects, unused settlement funds, and interest earned total approximately $525,000. This Draft Supplement evaluates allocating these funds to implement the construction phase of the Talbot Mills Dam removal. 

The Draft Supplement can be reviewed here (PDF, 26 pages) and hard copies are available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the address listed below.

Public Comment Period Now Open

The Trustees seek public input on the Draft Supplement, which evaluates allocating remaining funds to implement the construction phase of the Talbot Mills Dam removal to improve migratory fish passage. Feedback from the public about restoration projects like these is important as Trustees continue to address injury to resources. 
Written comments are due by June 1, 2026 and can be submitted:

• By mail

  Dr. Latice Fuentes 
  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  70 Commercial Street Suite 300 
  Concord, NH 03301 

• By email: latice_fuentes@fws.gov 

The Trustees for the Nyanza case include NOAA, the Department of the Interior–represented by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts–represented by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

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