EBC Dam Management Program Series:
Massachusetts Pending Dam Safety Legislation
Thursday, April 26, 2011
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
One International Place
Boston
Dam Safety has been an issue in Massachusetts since at least 1874 when the failure of a dam
on the Mill River in Williamsburg killed 139 people. The issue again came to the fore in 2005
when over 2,000 people were evacuated from parts of Taunton as a precaution against the
potential failure of the Whittenton Pond Dam. After the events in Taunton, an increased
emphasis was placed on the inspection and monitoring of the all the dams in Massachusetts,
both publically and privately owned. Dam owners must arrange to have their structure(s)
inspected by a qualified professional engineer experienced in dam safety. The results of these
inspections are forwarded to the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Office of Dam
Safety (ODS).
Today, there is a much improved understanding of the condition of Low, Significant, and High
hazard dams throughout the Commonwealth. The challenge has now shifted to addressing the
deficiencies which have been identified and bringing existing structures. After receiving Phase I
Dam Inspections from dam owners, the ODS assesses the findings and recommendations and
issues Dam Safety Orders requiring action. These Orders are issued by the Commonwealth to
promote the protection of public safety. There is now pending legislation which would both
enhance the Commonwealth’s ability to regulate dam safety and provide financial assistance to
dam owners in complying with Dam Safety Orders. Senate Bill 01985, sponsored by Senator
Marc Pacheco, is an Act Further Regulating Dam Safety, Repair and Removal. This program
will explore the details and status of this Act and offer an opportunity for discussion.
AGENDA
8:30 a.m.
Registration Begins
9:00 a.m.
Welcome –
Daniel K. Moon, President EBC
Introduction –
Chad W. Cox, P.E., Moderator
Associate Principal, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
9:15 a.m.
Senate Bill 01985 - An Act Further Regulating Dam Safety, Repair & Removal
Senator Mark R. Pacheco
Chair, Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Followed by Questions and Answers with the Senator
10:00 a.m.
Networking Break
10:30 a.m.
Dam Safety in Massachusetts – By the Numbers
A Review of the MIIC Infrastructure Status Report on Dams
Matthew Taylor, P.E.
Senior Project Manager, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
10:45 a.m.
Panel Discussion – Perspectives on Dam Safety Roles and Responsibilities
 Regulator – DCR Participant - Invited
 Public Owner – James Laurila, City Engineer, City of Northampton
 Private Owner – Matthew W. Mittelstadt, Managing Director, EA Fish
Development
 Consultant – Christopher D. Haker, PE, Senior Engineer, Tighe & Bond
 Contractor – Jack Enos P.E., Chief Operating Officer, T Ford Co. Inc.
11:30 a.m.
Adjourn
Program Chair
Chad W. Cox. P.E., Civil Engineer / Associate Principal
GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
One Edgewater Drive, Norwood, MA 02062
(781) 278-5787 Cell:
(781) 760-6430 chad.cox@gza.com
Chad Cox is a civil engineer and the head of the Dams Practice Group for GZA
GeoEnvironmental, Inc. He has a bachelors degree in civil engineering / water resources from
Princeton University and a Masters of Engineering (Civil) from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. He is a registered professional engineer in Massachusetts. Mr. Cox is involved
with a wide variety of dam safety engineering efforts including inspection, analysis, design, and
construction-phase services for both dam rehabilitation and dam removal projects. He has
authored and presented a number of dam safety-related papers for the Association of Dam
Safety Officials and the US Society on Dams. Mr. Cox also is involved with small hydropower
projects which seek to retrofit hydropower at existing dams. Prior to beginning his career as a
consultant, Mr. Cox served with the US Peace Corps for two years in Nepal.
Speakers
Jack Enos P.E., Chief Operating Officer
T Ford Co. Inc.
118 Tenney St, Georgetown, MA 01833
978-352-5606 Cell 508 726 1231
Christopher D. Haker, P.E., Senior Engineer
Tighe & Bond, Inc.
446 Main Street, 13th Floor, Worcester, MA 01608
508-471-9645
CDHaker@tigheBond.com
James R. Laurila, P.E., City Engineer
Department of Public Works
125 Locust St, Northampton, MA 01060
413- 587-1570
Mark R. Pacheco, Senator
Chair, Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State House, Room 312B, Boston, MA 02133
617-722-1551 Marc.Pacheco@masenate.gov
Senator Marc R. Pacheco was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1988
and to the Massachusetts Senate in 1992 by
the citizens of the 1st Plymouth and Bristol District. Senator Pacheco dedicated many years of
service to the Taunton School Committee prior to his time in the Massachusetts Legislature. He
is currently the highest ranking elected official of Portuguese descent in Massachusetts. Senator
Pacheco is chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight, and was
recently named co-chairman of the newly formed Joint Committee on Federal Stimulus
Oversight to oversee spending of these funds in the state.
He is also chairman of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. Senator
Pacheco was honored to be selected by Al Gore in 2007 to become a Climate Messenger and
increase awareness of this critical issue He also serves on the Senate Committee on Ways and
Means, and is a member of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and the Joint
Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy.
Senator Pacheco has prioritized the key issues of today to build a better tomorrow for the future
generations of the Commonwealth. Throughout his career, Senator Pacheco has supported
initiatives to spur economic growth, preserve and protect the environment, ensure the protection
of rights for veterans and senior citizens, increase civic engagement, create jobs in the new
“green” economy, and foster the creation of global economic partnerships.
A life-long resident of Taunton, Senator Pacheco was first elected to public office in 1979 as a
member of the Taunton School Committee. He served for ten years as a member of that body,
eventually rising to chairman of the committee. From 1982 to 1988, he worked for the mayor of
Taunton as his chief assistant and budget director.
The Senator earned his Master's Degree in Public Administration from Suffolk University.
Senator Pacheco has a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from New Hampshire College
and an Associate's Degree from the University of Massachusetts-Stockbridge School. Senator
Pacheco and his wife Barbara (Sylvia) Pacheco currently reside in the city of Taunton, just a few
blocks from where he grew up.
Matthew A. Taylor, P.E., Senior Project Manager
GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
One Edgewater Drive, Norwood, Massachusetts 02062
781-278-5803 cell 781-686-3737 matthew.taylor@gza.com
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
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April 10: NanoRemediation Program
April 11: Geothermal Energy Program
April 13: 8th Annual Environmental, Energy & Engineering Career Fair
April 16: NH Breakfast Program with Senator Jeanne Shaheen
April 20: Social Media Marketing, Content Generation
April 23: EBC Breakfast Program with Congressman Capuano
April 24: RI Chapter – On and Offshore Wind Energy
April 25: Renewable Energy Program: Wind Turbine Noise and Health Impacts
April 26: Dam Safety Program
April 27: NH Chapter Program: RGGI
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