Cross Brothers Dam removal funding described as uncertain; committee to seek updates

Summary

Committee members discussed reports that funding for the Cross Brothers Dam removal is unclear; Friends of the Winooski River and local contacts said the latest word indicated funding remains available but some speakers called the situation "murky." Permitting and access were noted as possible hurdles.

Committee members raised the Cross Brothers Dam removal during meeting reports and described mixed signals about project funding and timing.

A committee speaker summarized the local understanding: "We're hearing crickets from her," and later relayed that a recent update from Jeff indicated funding was in place. Taylor Litwin said she had heard “a little bit of, like, murkiness with the funding for that” and offered to follow up after a meeting with Karina Daley, identified in the meeting as a project resource.

Speakers emphasized non-financial obstacles that can delay dam projects. Litwin noted that permitting through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and historic-preservation reviews had been significant hurdles on recent dam removals in nearby towns; she gave examples including timber cribbing and shared construction access problems with landowners that can halt work.

There was no formal vote or new authorization on funding at the meeting. Committee members asked staff and contacts to report back with confirmed funding and permitting status once they had direct updates from project managers.