About the program
Dams play a vital role in protecting people, property, and infrastructure across the Commonwealth and are among the first structures impacted by climate change. Ensuring dam safety through thoughtful regulation and compliance is critical to public safety and Massachusetts’s climate resilience.
Recognizing that compliance can be costly, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) launched the Dam Owners Technical Assistance (TA) Program to assist dam owners in complying with dam safety regulations and, in some cases, to begin planning for dam repair, breach, or removal projects. Priority is given to High and Significant Hazard Potential dams that are privately owned with large lapses in regulatory compliance.
Learn how to request assistance and more below.
Am I eligible to participate?
Private and public dam owners are eligible to participate. Only dams subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) are eligible for assistance (302 CMR 10).
Is there a cost to participate?
No. Services are provided at no cost to dam owners.
EEA will assign services to one or more professional engineering firms in response to dam owner requests. Assigned firms will contact dam owners to coordinate the completion of work. Once work is complete, all firms will invoice EEA for payment. Dam owners will not receive invoices.
What services are available?
Services available through the program include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- Phase I Inspections required every two years for High Hazard Potential dams, every five years for Significant Hazard Potential dams, and every 10 years for Low Hazard Potential dams
- Follow-up Inspections required every six months for a High Hazard Potential or Significant Hazard Potential dam determined to be in Poor condition, and every three months for a High Hazard Potential or Significant Hazard Potential dam determined to be in Unsafe condition
- Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) required for all High Hazard Potential or Significant Hazard Potential dams. Additionally, all EAPs must be updated on an annual basis.
- Hazard Reclassification Requests to change the hazard potential classification of a dam
- Phase II Investigations, typically ordered by the Commissioner of DCR to analyze and plan for the repair, breach, or removal of a dam, often resulting in a hydraulic and hydrologic (H/H) analysis, conceptual design, cost estimate, and list of potential permits
In assigning services, priority will be given to High and Significant Hazard Potential dams that are privately owned with large lapses in regulatory compliance, particularly lapses in Phase I Inspections, Follow-up Inspections, new EAPs, and EAP updates. Other services, particularly Phase II Investigations, are expected to be fewer in number.
How are services provided?
Based on demand and program priorities, EEA assigns services to one or more professional engineering firms in response to dam owner requests. Assigned firms will contact dam owners to coordinate the completion of work.
May I choose my own engineer?
No. All services must be performed by an engineering firm contracted with EEA and assigned through the program. Assigned firms will contact dam owners to coordinate the completion of work.
Is there a deadline to request services?
Yes. An online request form is expected to open in early fall. Dam owners will have until the following May 1st to submit requests but are strongly encouraged to submit requests as soon as possible following the form’s opening. All requests will be subject to program funding, firm availability, prioritization of services, and time remaining in the fiscal year.
Will I see or own the work products?
All work products will be the property of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. However, EEA will provide dam owners with a courtesy copy of any report in electronic format. Dam owners who do not receive a copy may request one through December 31st of the following fiscal year. Thereafter, dam owners must submit a formal records request to the Office of Dam Safety (ODS) to obtain a copy.
Does the program support permitting or construction?
No. Permitting and construction are not supported by this program. However, Phase II Investigations may be offered in a minority of cases. These investigations generally consist of planning studies for the repair, breach, or removal of a dam and may result in an hydraulic and hydrologic (H/H) analysis, conceptual design, cost estimate, and list of potential permits.
How do I apply?
An online request form is expected to open in early fall. Owners may select one dam and one service per form, but multiple forms may be submitted, allowing owners to request assistance with multiple services and/or dams.
Submission requirements will include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- National Dam ID
- Dam Name
- Location (City/Town)
- Dam Owner Name
- Hazard Potential Classification
- Service Requested (Phase I Inspection, etc.)
- Compliance Status (Currently Overdue, etc.)
Dam owners are strongly encouraged to submit requests as soon as possible following the form’s opening. All requests will be subject to program funding, firm availability, prioritization of services, and time remaining in the fiscal year.
Is EEA the same organization as the Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety (ODS)?
No. The Office of Dam Safety (ODS) is an office within the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), which is a separate agency from EEA. While EEA and ODS may work collaboratively on some portions of the program, EEA is responsible for administration of the Dam Owners Technical Assistance Program.