Massachusetts § 65 - Emergency action plans for high and significant hazard dams; inspection schedule; review of hazard classification
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 65 — Emergency action plans for high and significant hazard dams; inspection schedule; review of hazard classification, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 65. Emergency action plans for high and significant hazard dams; inspection schedule; review of hazard classification
Section 65. (a) As used in this section and section 66, the following words shall, unless the context clearly require otherwise, have the following meanings:—
''High hazard dam'', a dam located where structural failure will likely cause loss of life and serious damage to homes, industrial or commercial facilities, essential public utilities, main highways or railroads.
''Low hazard dam'', a dam located where structural failure may cause minimal property damage and loss of life is not expected.
''Significant hazard dam'', a dam located where structural failure may cause loss of life and damage to homes, industrial and commercial facilities, secondary highways or railroads or interruption of use of service of relatively important facilities.
(b) The department shall ensure that emergency action plans shall be developed for all high hazard dams and significant hazard dams. The department shall establish and make available to dam owners an emergency action plan template. The department shall ensure that necessary local and state dam safety officials have immediate access to such plans in the event of a potential dam failure.
(c) The department shall develop an inspection schedule to ensure that all high hazard dams are inspected at least every 2 years, all significant hazard dams are inspected at least every 5 years and all low hazard dams are inspected at least every 10 years.
(d) The department shall review the hazard classifications of dams at least every 10 years to ensure the accuracy of the dam classification. Requests for review of the hazard classification of a dam shall be made at the expense of the owner of the dam.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 65
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 65 cover?
Section 65 ("Emergency action plans for high and significant hazard dams; inspection schedule; review of hazard classification") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Massachusetts § 65?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 65" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
How does Massachusetts § 65 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.