Grower Alerts: Dam Safety Inspections

The State has hired several engineering firms to conduct dam inspections and there are two distinct groups of inspections occurring. The first group involves searches to verify ownership and/or the existence of dams. The second group is determining if the agricultural exemption that you claimed when you responded to the registration process this past winter, is acceptable by the Office of Dam Safety. We expect that most dams associated with cranberry operations will be verified as exempt from the regulations.

All of these companies have been instructed to contact the owners before entering private property but they have also been given the go-ahead to proceed with the inspections, if they are unable to reach the owner. In many cases, the group searching for dams does not know the correct owner or the exact location of the dams, so it’s quite possible that they may be on your property without your knowledge. All of the companies hired by the State should have a letter with them (see below), explaining whom they are and why they are there. They should also be non-confrontational and respectful of your wishes.

Below we have listed the names of the companies that have been authorized to inspect your dams. Please contact the CCCGA office if you have any issues with the dam inspectors or if you feel your agricultural exemption has been wrongfully denied.

Companies Conducting Dam Owner Searches
Hill Engineers, Architects, Planners Inc. of Dalton, MA
Fay Engineering, of Thorndike, MA
Lenard Engineering, Inc. of Auburn, MA
Mistry Associates, Inc. of Reading, MA
Vine Associates, Inc. of Newburyport, MA
Download the Dam Owner Search letter from the Office of Dam Safety (PDF: 95KB)

Companies Conducting Verification of Agricultural Exemptions
Fuss and O’Neill, of Manchester, CT
Tighe and Bond Engineers, of Westfield, MA
Download the Verification of Exemption letter from the Office of Dam Safety (PDF: 93KB)

Growers ~ Alerts ~ Dam Safety Inspections
Dam Safety Inspection Update (May 2006) The State has hired several engineering firms to conduct dam inspections and there are two distinct groups of inspections occurring. The first group involves searches to verify ownership and/or the existence of dams. The second group is determining if the agricultural exemption that you claimed when you responded to the registration process this past winter, is acceptable by the Office of Dam Safety. We expect that most dams associated with cranberry operations will be verified as exempt from the regulations. All of these companies have been instructed to contact the owners before entering private property but they have also been given the go-ahead to proceed with the inspections, if they are unable to reach the owner. In many cases, the group searching for dams does not know the correct owner or the exact location of the dams, so it’s quite possible that they may be on your property without your knowledge. All of the companies hired by the State should have a letter with them (see below), explaining whom they are and why they are there. They should also be non-confrontational and respectful of your wishes. Below we have listed the names of the companies that have been authorized to inspect your dams. Please contact the CCCGA office if you have any issues with the dam inspectors or if you feel your agricultural exemption has been wrongfully denied. Companies Conducting Dam Owner Searches Hill Engineers, Architects, Planners Inc. of Dalton, MA Fay Engineering, of Thorndike, MA Lenard Engineering, Inc. of Auburn, MA Mistry Associates, Inc. of Reading, MA Vine Associates, Inc. of Newburyport, MA Download the Dam Owner Search letter from the Office of Dam Safety (PDF: 95KB) Companies Conducting Verification of Agricultural Exemptions Fuss and O’Neill, of Manchester, CT Tighe and Bond Engineers, of Westfield, MA Download the Verification of Exemption letter from the Office of Dam Safety (PDF: 93KB)

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