Revised Job Impact Statement
Nature of Impact: The revised proposed regulations are likely to create good, high paying technical jobs in engineering and training, as well as construction jobs.
Categories and Numbers Affected: The proposed regulations require dam owners to retain professional engineers to create emergency action plans, verify hazard classification, conduct safety inspections, and conduct engineering assessments. Furthermore, these inspections and assessments may identify deficiencies, which dam owners will be required to correct. The dam safety projects generated as a result of the engineering inspections could involve engineering and construction jobs. As a result, it is expected that the proposed regulation will generate high paying engineering jobs, as well as construction jobs. The field of dam safety includes two highly specialized areas: civil/structural engineering and hydrologic/hydraulic analysis utilizing computer modeling. There will clearly be a need for civil engineers to have additional training in dam safety. Therefore, there will be an opportunity for companies and colleges to develop training programs and offer specialized training in New York. This would create job opportunities for trainers as well as support staff opportunities. The department has no way of determining the number of engineering or construction jobs or training opportunities. During one of the stakeholder meetings, a manager for a large consulting engineering firm stated that his firm planned on hiring one or two engineers in response to the proposed regulations.
Regions of Adverse Impact: There are no adverse job impacts expected.
Minimizing Adverse Impacts: There are no adverse job impacts expected.
Self-employment Opportunities: The proposed regulations will create an environment favorable for experienced civil engineers, licensed surveyors, and computer modelers specializing in hydrology and hydraulic analysis to start their own businesses. Self-employment opportunities also will likely exist for experienced engineers to conduct training, dam safety inspections and dam safety engineering assessments. Additionally, self employment opportunities also will likely exist for experienced individuals in the construction trades for the erection, reconstruction, repair, breach or removal of dams.
