[Massplanners] Regulation of Blasting and Rock Hammering?

Wed Aug 18 10:29:42 EDT 2021

Thanks Neil and everyone who replied to my question about blasting.

3, 2, 1 '''' BOOM''''

Mark Archambault, AICP
Ayer Town Planner

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Angus, Neil
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2021 9:43 AM
To: 'Heidi Ricci' <hricci at massaudubon.org>; massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Regulation of Blasting and Rock Hammering?

Blasting in MA is regulated by the State Department of Fire Services and local Fire Departments: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/blasting-explosives-and-fireworks .  527 CMR 13.09 explains the requirements for a pre-blast analysis, a blast design plan, and pre, during and post blast requirements.  There is a good manual for homeowners that outlines the requirements for blasting as well: https://www.mass.gov/doc/blasting-for-property-owners/download .  Hope this helps!

Neil.

Neil Angus, AICP CEP, LFA, LEED AP
Environmental Planner
Devens Enterprise Commission
33 Andrews Parkway
Devens, MA 01434
978.772.8831 x3334
Website: https://www.devensec.com<https://www.devensec.com/>
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[STAR LEED]

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org<mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org>> On Behalf Of Heidi Ricci
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2021 2:22 PM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org<mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Regulation of Blasting and Rock Hammering?

Thanks for sharing this info, Dwight.

This has come up in relation to something I'm working on too, although in a more urban environment where damage to adjoining buildings/infrastructure and changes in stormwater/groundwater flow patterns is more the concern as there are no private wells.  Is anyone aware of any guidance or regulatory requirements in MA?

Heidi

E. Heidi Ricci
Director of Policy and Advocacy
Mass Audubon
208 South Great Road
Lincoln, MA  01773
c 781-622-8911
o 781-259-2172
hricci at massaudubon.org<mailto:hricci at massaudubon.org>
Pronouns: she/her(s)

Visit www.massaudubon.org<http://www.massaudubon.org/> to learn more about our conservation, education, and advocacy work.

[cid:image002.png at 01D7941B.F483B8A0]

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org<mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org>> On Behalf Of Dwight Merriam
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2021 2:06 PM
To: Mark Archambault <marchambault at ayer.ma.us<mailto:marchambault at ayer.ma.us>>
Cc: massplanners at masscptc.org<mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Regulation of Blasting and Rock Hammering?

Just had a "deep immersion" experience in blasting this last year....

see :

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/site_clean_up/potable_water/Blasting-Guidance-Dec2019.pdf<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fportal.ct.gov%2F-%2Fmedia%2FDEEP%2Fsite_clean_up%2Fpotable_water%2FBlasting-Guidance-Dec2019.pdf&data=04%7C01%7Chricci%40massaudubon.org%7C9eb30b7ba29c4bfa405308d961a9c381%7Ce0acbd14d69d4eaa8f027ecff288232f%7C0%7C0%7C637648204614777204%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000&sdata=QsP4vw%2BlR%2BMg16ihHh4GaVLLXs4JGfzOTwar3BL4y6I%3D&reserved=0>

And with UConn law students in 2010 we developed a model zoning ordinance as a learning exercise.  See

https://www.washingtonct.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif1396/f/file/file/merrimodregs.pdf<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonct.org%2Fsites%2Fg%2Ffiles%2Fvyhlif1396%2Ff%2Ffile%2Ffile%2Fmerrimodregs.pdf&data=04%7C01%7Chricci%40massaudubon.org%7C9eb30b7ba29c4bfa405308d961a9c381%7Ce0acbd14d69d4eaa8f027ecff288232f%7C0%7C0%7C637648204614777204%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000&sdata=NO1qtEcLqUjT2P%2FyA4054N6x3sSurop1hGygR%2BvAbEg%3D&reserved=0>

includes blasting regs at page 239; not definitive, but a start...

Regards,
Dwight

Dwight Merriam,FAICP
dwightmeriam at gmail.com<mailto:dwightmeriam at gmail.com>

On Tue, Aug 17, 2021 at 9:33 AM Mark Archambault <marchambault at ayer.ma.us<mailto:marchambault at ayer.ma.us>> wrote:
Hello everyone,

I'm curious as to whether any towns or cities out there regulate blasting and rock hammering when development requires the clearing of large areas of ledge.

Here in Ayer, much of the remaining developable land has extensive ledge outcrops and requires blasting to develop.

Besides the usual limits on hours of operation to lessen noise impacts, does anyone have a regulation that covers blasting in more detail?

Thanks in advance for any assistance anyone can provide.

Mark Archambault, AICP

Ayer Town Planner
Town Hall, One Main Street
Ayer, MA 01432

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