Residents, Save Rodman Reservoir advocates urge county to oppose state-funded dam removal

At the April 22 Putnam County commission meeting, multiple public commenters urged the board to oppose recent state-level proposals to remove or partially 'restore' the Rodman (Lake Ocklawaha) dam and asked the county to contact state legislators and the governor.

Steve Miller, identified as president of Save Rodman Reservoir, told commissioners that the Florida legislature has proposed an appropriation of "6 and a quarter million dollars" for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to develop a plan for partial restoration with construction between 2026 and 2035. Miller warned that removing the dam would eliminate what he called the basin's only proven nutrient-filtering reservoir and could increase nutrient loads into the St. Johns River. He asked the commission to contact state lawmakers and the governor to oppose the funding. "The only way everybody found out about it was when it hit the news in Jacksonville," Miller said, arguing local residents were not consulted.

Commissioner Harvey disclosed a potential conflict and said, "In all fairness and disclosure, I am the executive director of Save Robin. Cannot be a board member due to the ethics commission," then continued to describe local water-level and watershed effects and urged local coordination and messaging to Tallahassee. Commissioner Alexander said he shares concerns about nutrient discharge and recommended a biological study to assess impacts on eelgrass in his area of the river.

Why it matters: speakers raised water-quality, freshwater supply and regional ecosystem consequences of a dam removal or partial drawdown. Commenters also noted prior state investment in repairs and questioned whether additional state funds should be directed toward removal planning instead of maintaining the existing infrastructure.

Board response and follow-up: commissioners and public speakers discussed outreach to state representatives and the governor's office. Commissioner Harvey and other speakers said they had already sent letters to representatives and the governor, and urged collective county action. No formal motion was recorded at the meeting asking the commission to send an official board letter, but multiple commissioners expressed support for coordinated communication with state officials and suggested outreach to Marion County and other neighboring jurisdictions.

Background cited by speakers: presenters referenced past structural repairs paid for by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (cited as roughly $1.8 million in a prior year), studies on nutrient loads, and concerns that baseline nutrient assumptions used in some proposals may understate the current nutrient load coming from areas such as Silver Springs. Speakers urged the commission to demand more local consultation before the state advances a plan.

What was not decided: the commission did not take a formal vote or adopt a resolution during this meeting. Speakers asked staff and elected officials to relay local concerns to state lawmakers and to continue coordinating on outreach in coming weeks.