[MassHistPres] Historic Dam protections

[Dennis De Witt]

Pleun

Dams are different than most other structures because they are subject to state oversight and regulation — for better and worse — requiring inspection and maintenance.  The state can intervene — including requiring demolition if there is a safety issue.  After a perceived threat of catastrophic flooding by a dam in Taunton (I think that’s where it was) some years ago, the state became more aggressive in inspecting dams.  As a result, it “discovered” the earthen 1848 dam (or dike) of the Cochituate Aqueduct's terminal reservoir in Brookline and that it had trees growing on it — some possibly a century old.  They all had to be removed, radically changing the character of what has been a park since 1903,  Done in the name of assuring a safe condition, it also returned the dam to its original condition.  

Two other thoughts.  
— That dam is on the NR (in fact part of an NHL), any action of this state agency should thus be subject to adverse impact review.  But, given its public safety mandate, I  wonder if that would matter.
— As you undoubtedly know, there are vehement anti-dam people who sometimes get support from government agencies and government funding.  As a particularly dismaying example, all but one of the historic early mill dams have been removed from Plymouth's Town Brook between Billington Sea and Plymouth Harbor (at Plymouth Rock), thanks to an unfortunate special state senate earmark.   

Dennis De Witt
Brookline

> On Oct 1, 2019, at 11:51 AM, Pleun Bouricius <pleunbouricius at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I am posting for the Leverett Historical and Conservation Commissions.
> 
> Other than local historic districts and site-specific preservation restrictions, does anyone know of or have experience with protections for historic dams. For example, limits on construction near a dam, or activities that may threaten a historic dam site? 
> 
> Thank you very much
> 
> Pleun Bouricius
> 
> Pleun Clara Bouricius, PhD
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