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Committee asks City Council to send letter supporting Domtar’s $84 million Rothschild dam rehabilitation plan
Summary
Domtar presented plans to replace a timber crib spillway at the Rothschild (Domtar) dam, estimated at $84 million; the committee voted to request a City Council letter of support as Domtar seeks state and federal funding partners.
Domtar officials asked the Wausau Economic Development Committee for local support for a planned rehabilitation of the Rothschild dam’s timber crib spillway, describing an $84 million project to replace the timber section with concrete and requesting letters of support as the company pursues state and federal funding.
Domtar General Manager Dave Fawcett told the committee the timber crib section—roughly 800 feet of the structure—has been patched for years and is now at a condition where partial replacement is not feasible and a full concrete replacement is necessary. Fawcett said the company has invested more than $12 million in interim repairs and that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) inspection regime requires a planned timeline to address ongoing leakage.
Domtar described a cost‑sharing approach: Domtar proposes to fund roughly one‑third of the estimated $84 million (about $28 million) and is seeking equitable contributions from local, state and federal partners to fund the remainder. Domtar said it would commit to invest $100 million over three years in mill upgrades if funding partners support the dam work; if outside funding exceeds Domtar’s share, Domtar said it would return excess funds as appropriate.
Fawcett outlined the technical approach: construction would use upstream and downstream cofferdams to isolate and dewater the timber section, demolish it and install a new concrete structure; Domtar emphasized design work to avoid lowering Lake Wausau during construction and noted extensive permitting with the Army Corps, DNR and FERC. He said the estimated project span is about three to four years.
Committee members asked whether a letter of support should come from the mayor’s office or from a council resolution as well. Staff said a letter from the mayor’s office had been drafted; Alderman Gesselman moved that the council provide a letter and the motion passed unanimously in committee. The committee’s vote will be incorporated into a resolution for City Council consideration the following week.
Fawcett said letters of municipal support strengthen Domtar’s ability to secure federal or state grants and cited recent engagement with state and congressional offices. Domtar has a public project page and has not issued a media release pending permit approvals.
