Conservation commission approves emergency certification to address beaver dam breach at Ottawa River Conservation Area

The Conservation Commission approved an emergency certification Tuesday to allow the Department of Public Works to restore water levels at a beaver-created impoundment on the Ox River Trail at the Ottawa River Conservation Area.

Justin (staff member) told commissioners the beavers rebuilt a dam at the same site where the commission issued an emergency certification last year, producing a larger impoundment. "The Beavers got really anxious, and they rebuilt bigger and better than ever, which caused more impoundment," Justin said.

The certification was requested by DPW to return the water to normal levels; commissioners discussed nonlethal longer-term options during the meeting. Justin said state Dam Safety and engineering staff were reluctant to trap animals within the conservation area and that installing a culvert-protecting device sometimes called a "beaver deceiver" might not be feasible at the open site. "When we talked to DPW and Engineering, they're hesitant about traveling just because it is within a conservation area," Justin said.

Commissioners voted to approve the emergency certification. The motion carried on a roll call vote with all six commissioners present voting yes.

The commission recorded interest in pursuing longer-term, nonlethal solutions with DPW and engineering staff, and members asked staff to circulate options for more permanent fixes while the emergency work proceeds.

The vote authorizes DPW to act now; commissioners did not adopt a long-term plan at the meeting and requested follow-up coordination and options analysis.

Community members were not recorded speaking on the item during the meeting.

The commission took no additional regulatory action at the hearing beyond approving the emergency certification and asked staff to pursue coordination with DPW and engineering for longer-term solutions.