Event Title

Session C4 - Regulatory Reform in Massachusetts: Instituting a General Permit for Dam Removal Projects

Location

UMass Amherst

Event Website

http://fishpassage.ecs.umass.edu/Conference2012/

Start Date

6-6-2012 10:50 AM

End Date

6-6-2012 11:10 AM

Description

Dam removal permitting is frequently described as complicated and onerous. Massachusetts has a complex regulatory framework with overlapping regulatory jurisdictions. Ten permits and additional approvals are required in order to remove an aging dam and restore fish passage. The regulatory process typically takes nine to 18 months to complete. The uncertainty and length of the process has made it difficult to secure and keep grant funding for dam removal projects and is a major barrier for dam owners and river restoration practitioners. Now, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration have developed proposed regulations and procedures that will significantly streamline dam removal permitting. For eligible dam removal projects, the regulations will reduce the permitting timeline from 18+ months to three months. This presentation describes 1) the original regulatory framework; 2) new regulatory tools including a unified application form for all aquatic habitat restoration projects and a general permit for dam removal; 3) linkages with federal regulatory programs; and 4) public reaction to these regulatory reforms. While many states have general permits for in-stream habitat restoration, few have developed general permits for dam removal projects. The eligibility criteria and standard conditions developed during MA's regulatory reform process may be of use to other states seeking to improve the scope and scale of river restoration.

Comments

Beth Lambert manages the River Restoration Program for the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER). DER has led or supported 20 dam removal projects and has 30 projects in the planning stages. Beth has an MS in fluvial geomorphology and has 15 years of experience working in watershed restoration in the Pacific Northwest and New England

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Jun 6th, 10:50 AM Jun 6th, 11:10 AM

Session C4 - Regulatory Reform in Massachusetts: Instituting a General Permit for Dam Removal Projects

UMass Amherst

Dam removal permitting is frequently described as complicated and onerous. Massachusetts has a complex regulatory framework with overlapping regulatory jurisdictions. Ten permits and additional approvals are required in order to remove an aging dam and restore fish passage. The regulatory process typically takes nine to 18 months to complete. The uncertainty and length of the process has made it difficult to secure and keep grant funding for dam removal projects and is a major barrier for dam owners and river restoration practitioners. Now, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration have developed proposed regulations and procedures that will significantly streamline dam removal permitting. For eligible dam removal projects, the regulations will reduce the permitting timeline from 18+ months to three months. This presentation describes 1) the original regulatory framework; 2) new regulatory tools including a unified application form for all aquatic habitat restoration projects and a general permit for dam removal; 3) linkages with federal regulatory programs; and 4) public reaction to these regulatory reforms. While many states have general permits for in-stream habitat restoration, few have developed general permits for dam removal projects. The eligibility criteria and standard conditions developed during MA's regulatory reform process may be of use to other states seeking to improve the scope and scale of river restoration.

https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conference/2012/June6/9