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NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT

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Paddlers hit whitewater rapids during the 52nd Annual River Rat Race April 12 on the Athol-Orange section of the Millers River in Massachusetts. Water was released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from both Birch Hill and Tully Lake dams in Royalston with flows of approximately 1,100 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Birch Hill Dam and 300 cfs from Tully Lake Dam for the event, according to Project Manager Jeffrey Mangum in Royalston.
The New England District and Tantara Associated Corporation installed fall protection barricade railings all over Fort Rodman, New Bedford, Massachusetts.

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District Team Attends Local STEM Event to Listen and Learn

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District
Published Dec. 30, 2014
Conference attendees ask questions and get information during the networking session during the Women in STEM Event, Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts on Oct. 21, 2014.

Conference attendees ask questions and get information during the networking session during the Women in STEM Event, Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts on Oct. 21, 2014.

Participants in the Women in STEM conference listen to one of the many presentations that occurred during the event.

Participants in the Women in STEM conference listen to one of the many presentations that occurred during the event.

Getting young people interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers is a high priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Engineers and scientists make great efforts to expose future employees to STEM by speaking at schools, judging events and mentoring. But what about the here and now? What about the current employees who are in STEM careers? How do we inspire them – particularly women -- to stay in these worthwhile positions?

That was some of many questions 15 New England District team members brought with them to the Women in STEM conference held Oct. 21 at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts. New England District team members that attended the conference consisted of six male supervisors and nine female employees from Engineering/Planning. Businesses such as Tata Consulting, Raytheon, Battelle, Dassault Systemes and educational institutions to include Bentley University and Northeastern were all either attending the program or were speaking on a panel.

Mark Anderson, New England District’s STEM coordinator, heard about the event in a forwarded e-mail and thought it could benefit the District.  “It wasn’t one of the volunteer efforts we’ve been doing where you go out and coach or make a presentation,” he said. “This was more of a conference setting where speakers came in to make presentations and we were there to observe, listen and engage in the discussions.”

Scott Acone, Chief of Engineering/Planning, also thought it was worth attending to hear about STEM in the work place. “For Engineering and Planning, I wanted to know how we can create an environment that is more welcoming and open for both attracting and retaining qualified women doing engineering and science activities,” he said.

The featured presentation was entitled, “The New Frontier of Engaging Men as Full Partners in the Advancement of Women,” by Betsy Myers, Center for Women and Business at Bentley University. 

According to the conference coordinators, the goal of her presentation was to help attendees understand how to continue to close the confidence gap for women, how to address the balance question, the different leadership styles of men and women and the leadership necessary for the next generation of women. “I enjoyed the feature presentation,” said Megan Cullen. “Historically, women have had hundreds of internal conversations about women’s equality and advancement, but history has proven these conversations to be marginally successful. Myers suggests that the stalemate occurs because men have not been involved in the conversation.”

In a panel discussion entitled, “Strategies for Leveraging Partnerships Between Key Stakeholders: Business, Government, Education and Philanthropy,” panel members moderated a discussion in the art of fostering and connecting local innovation with state leadership for national impact. Other relevant topics that were presented during the conference included: “Thinking BIG about girls in STEM and Million Women Mentors"; “Smart STEM Investing: What to Measure"; "Broadening the Breadth of STEM Workforce Through Racial and Ethnic Diversity"; "Employee Engagement: Programs that Work to Engage and Retain Women in STEM"; and "Future of the American Workforce; How to Recruit and Retain Talent in the New Generation of STEM Graduates". 

“My favorite presentation was ‘Broadening the Breadth of STEM Workforce Through Racial and Ethnic Diversity,' by Dr. Uma Gupta, Founder and Executive Director, STEM-Smart.org,” said Angela Frisino. “Her presentation was about the neurobiology behind stereotypes and how we can recognize our unconscious prejudices, both racial and gender to use that to change our behavior. It was the most interesting topic presented throughout the day.”

Attending the Women in STEM Conference provided insight to the District team, not only from the presentations, but also from the District team themselves. “People felt comfortable enough to have a conversation,” said Anderson. “We sat and had about a 20-minute group recap. There were some really honest opinions that were going around the table at the end.”

“We got good feedback from everybody,” Acone agreed. “I also think it got some of the folks that maybe haven’t been all that engaged more interested in doing some outreach. I think there were definitely some there that never would have considered themselves a mentor that maybe now they would be interested in taking on that kind of role, and that’s a benefit.”

According to Acone and Anderson, the conference also led to serious conversations on how to establish a better mentoring program in Engineering/Planning and to be able to mentor both the young and older employees in terms of career development.

For those who attended the conference, it was a worthwhile experience. “I think the men in the audience became more aware of the female perspective and more thoughtful participants in ensuring female success in the workplace,” said Cullen.

Anderson said he would consider attending again next year. “I think it would be an interesting follow on to what we heard this year,” he said. 
Acone suggested that if they did attend next year, that Engineering/Planning might not be the only Division to go. “It would be good to get other District chiefs involved next year to see if we can get more participation,” he said.

New England District Team members attending the Women in STEM conference support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Campaign Initiative, “Prepare For Tomorrow.”


The Pawcatuck River Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study

   This proposed plan is presented  to facilitate public involvement in the review and commenting on the remedy selection process for the Nantucket Memorial Airport (NMA) Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS.) 
    The Army Corps of Engineers is proposing a No Action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act for the Munitions Response Site-1, Project Number D01MA049901 at NMA located on Nantucket Island, MA.  The proposal was prepared using the Guide to Preparing Superfund Proposed Plans, Records of Decision, and Other Remedy Selection Decision Documents (USEPA, 1999).
    The final decision for NMA Site-1 site will be made after reviewing and considering all information submitted during the public comment period. The proposed decision may be modified based on new information or public comments. The public is encouraged to review and comment on the proposed plan.
    The FUDS program addresses the potential explosives safety, health, and environmental issues resulting from past munitions use at former defense sites under the Department of Defense (DoD) Military Munitions Response Program, established by the U.S. Congress under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program.  
    FUDS only applies to properties that transferred from DoD before October 17, 1986 and the first priority of USACE is the protection of human health, safety, and the environment. 
    The Army is the executive agent for the FUDS Program, and USACE is the lead agency for investigation/reporting and remedial decision-making at this munitions site with regulatory support provided by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).


Updated: 05 December 2016


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