IMMEDIATE ADOPTION
Number
160250
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
141707
Sponsor
ALD. KOVAC & BOHL
Title
Resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee's support for the removal of the Estabrook Dam and authorizing the City Attorney to intervene in Dane County Circuit Court Case No. 16CV1396 challenging the Wisconsin DNR’s decision to issue an Environmental Impact Statement permitting Milwaukee County to repair, rather than remove, the Estabrook Dam.
Analysis
This resolution reiterates the City of Milwaukee's support for the removal of the Estabrook Dam as soon as practicable, and authorizes the City Attorney to intervene in Dane County Circuit Court Case No. 16CV1396 challenging the Wisconsin DNR’s decision to issue an Environmental Impact Statement permitting Milwaukee County to repair, rather than remove, the Estabrook Dam.
Body
Whereas, The Estabrook Dam on the Milwaukee River has been in decline and has developed major structural issues due to years of neglect; and
Whereas, The dam is a crumbling "public nuisance" that hasn't operated since a 2008 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources order to shut it down; and
Whereas, Industrial pollutants, including polychlorinated biphenyls, have been accumulating near the dam for decades, mostly from industrial sources upstream in the Lincoln Creek watershed; and
Whereas, There is no viable reason to maintain the dam and keep it permanently open as the short-term repair costs and long-term maintenance costs of that scenario would far exceed removal costs; and
Whereas, The dam removal alternative means the complete removal of the dam, including the gated control structure and fixed crest spillway, and the creation of a free-flow condition; and
Whereas, Removing the dam and restoring free-flow conditions would allow for unimpeded passage of boats, fish and aquatic invertebrates, yield the greatest positive impacts on river ecology, flood management, water quality, sediment management, fish and aquatic l...
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