CONCORD, Mass. – National Grid has been issued a Special Activity Permit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New England District commander to conduct an unmanned aerial system inspection of utility assets located underneath the Cape Cod Canal’s Bourne and Sagamore Highway Bridges in Bourne and Sagamore, Mass.

The unmanned aerial system (UAS) inspection flights will occur on Wednesday, June 20 and Thursday, June 21, 2018. The UAS will remain below the bridges and away from roadways, visitors, and vessels at all times.

The general restriction on operating UAS at the Cape Cod Canal remains in effect. The USACE regulation regarding the public and commercial operation of aircraft, including UAS, is contained in 36 CFR, Chapter III, Part 327.4, Aircraft, which states in part, “the operation of aircraft on project lands at locations other than those designated by the District Commander is prohibited. No person shall operate any aircraft while on or above project waters or project lands in a careless, negligent or reckless manner so as to endanger any person, property or environmental feature.”

UAS operation for hobby, recreational, and/or commercial purposes at USACE water resources development projects is prohibited unless authorized by the District Commander. This regulation applies to individuals operating any UAS over USACE water resources development projects regardless of the location of the operator, including over outgranted Corps property under a lease agreement with a third party.