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Date: 5/23/2022
MONSON - The Church Manufacturing Dam Impoundment, located upstream of the fork of Bethany Road and Route 32, a protracted project in the making, is officially underway.
The dam is owned by RJ Realty Holdings. Rick Anderson, a Palmer resident, owns RJ Realty. In May 2021, he applied for priority project status, with the help of consultant GZA Engineering, to have the dam removed. Anderson was awarded priority project status in December 2021. The Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) of Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game joined the project in January 2022.
Joseph Gould, a restoration specialist from the DER of Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, said they focus strictly on restoration work, which primarily includes dam removal. Over the past few decades, he said their division has conducted about 70 dam removals, to which many have been partnered with GZA.
Gould explained that DER has “priority projects” which assists in selecting the projects they will take on. According to the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, “The Priority Projects Program supports projects throughout the Commonwealth that advance DER’s mission. DER’s Priority Projects are selected through a state-wide competitive bid process. Once selected as a Priority Project, a project is eligible to receive technical assistance, contracted technical services, and/or direct grant funding from DER.”
On May 10, the impoundment was dewatered, opening up the dam’s outlet structure. Gould said this allows them to get an understanding of the sediment build up, along with focusing on structures and walls downstream.
Although every dam project is different, Gould said with this draw-down, there is quite a bit of sediment. “[There is] 25,000 cubic yards [of sediment],” he noted.
Since starting this process, Gould said they collected and tested various sediment samples, which was approved by the DEP. “The sediment results are relatively clean when compared to human health, and environmental standards and they are comparable to background levels,” he said. As they continue to monitor the vegetation, sediment and actual elements will continue.
Additionally, GZA has already completed preliminary design and engineering work. There are three different phases of the design, which they will keep on tweaking and evaluating as they go, said Gould.
He continued, “The draw-down will also help us with design and engineering by allowing the sediments to dry out and stabilize, while also allowing the brook to begin to take shape.”
Gould identified various goals with this project. The first is to remove the physical barrier [dam] and reconnect a segment of Chicopee Brook, which is a Coldwater Fisheries Resource (CFR). He explained that Chicopee Brook provides habitat for fish and other aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Chicopee Brook generally flows along Route 32.
The second goal is to remove unneeded infrastructure. The final goal is to remove the potential risk to public safety associated with dam failure and reduction in future repair, maintenance and dam operation liabilities for Anderson.
“Anderson wants to do what is best for the community and [the] brook and has committed quite a bit of time and resources to the project thus far,” said Gould.
He added, “By removing the dam, folks will be left with a healthier Chicopee Brook that will continue to revert to a more natural state over time.”
Some of the benefits of the future dam removal project include re-naturalization of the corridor, removing outdated or unused infrastructure, river-floodplain reconnection and more.
The Monson Conservation Commission has hosted three public hearings to evaluate the project and provide residents an opportunity to ask questions. Gould said he was present during the most recent meeting, which he recalled was “very positive.”
He noted that they have also received support from the Monson Town Planner, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Chicopee River Watershed Council.
As the project advances, the Conservation Commission will host more discussions.
When it comes to dam removal, Gould said he is “reluctant” to put a timeline on the project. “I recently did one in two and half years, others in a decade,” he said.
“With this one, we are hoping to complete it by winter 2024,” said Gould. “[There is] a lot of permitting and design work to do.” Typically permitting can take up to 18 months. Permits include local, state, and federal [MEPA, 401 WQC, Chapter 91, 253, and Restoration OC and 404].
“We are committed to the project until the dam removal and restoration work is complete,” said Gould.
Tributaries to the Chicopee Brook located upstream of the dam identified as CFRs include Branch Mill Brook, Conant Brook and Meecham Brook. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MADFW) fills the upper portions of the Chicopee Brook and Conant Brook with Eastern Brook and Brown Trout.