Stimulus money locks Grafton in a dam debate
(WI) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Village officials must make a choice by the end of the month: Replace the Bridge St. dam on the Milwaukee River within 10 years for up to $4 million, or remove the structure within the next year using federal grant funds.
Think it’s an easy call?
Hundreds of residents are expected to jam a hearing Thursday at John Long Middle School, just as they have packed past meetings. Many have signed petitions to save the dam. More
The movement by Wisconsin DNR to remove as many dams as possible is resulting in startling levels of nutrient rich, toxic sediment transport into our great lakes. The removals often involve immense financial pressure and fear tactics. Exaggerated cost comparisons are provided to local officials that unrealistically exorbitant cost for repair or maintenance and do not include proper sediment remediation, habitat restoration or any other upstream/downstream restoration. Insiders know these strong arm actions are thinly veiled attempts by the WDNR to transfer toxic remediation responsibilities to riparian owners and the federal government.
Wild rivers in urban areas can cause problems including erosion, bridge undermining, infrastructure damage, toxic exposure risks and flooding. Prior appropriation, adverse use, flood control, historic preservation, public trust, riparian rights, and navigational rights are all enforced, governed, and in Wisconsin by the DNR and anyone willing to fight for their rights must endure immense cost and commitment before making it through the DNR’s own “rubber stamp” judicial processes before their case can be heard by a real court. In most cases, the dams would be long gone by the time a case would ever go to a real court.
We need to stop them and their abuse of power before the damage is irreparable.
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