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Exeter voters approve Pickpocket Dam removal; Redwood commission to monitor permitting
Summary
Commission members reported that Exeter approved removal of Pickpocket Dam and authorized $2 million for the project; Redwood Conservation Commission agreed to stay engaged and follow permitting and mitigation steps as the project advances.
Members of the Redwood Conservation Commission reported that Exeter voters approved removal of Pickpocket Dam and a $2,000,000 expenditure to fund the removal.
A commission member noted the election result and said project proponents and regional river‑restoration groups have offered to stay in touch. "Andrew Fisk ... is the executive Northeast director of American Rivers and he did a presentation to us in January about the impact of river restoration," the member said; Fisk had told the commission he would be willing to coordinate as Exeter moves forward.
Why it matters: dam removals can alter wetland areas, stream morphology, and mitigation needs in nearby towns and watersheds. Commission members stressed that Redwood does not have authority over Exeter’s project but that the commission should be an active participant in the permitting and public‑notice stages to influence mitigation outcomes.
Follow up: commissioners said they will request updates from project contacts, monitor permit notices, and discuss mitigation options at future meetings. One member suggested sending a formal letter of position or comment once permitting materials are available.
Context from the meeting: commissioners discussed differing initial press reports about the vote margin; they confirmed the removal measure had passed and agreed to track developments and coordinate with regional partners on mitigation and public engagement.
