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Floyd County declares emergency, OKs $50,000 contribution to remove Blackiston Mill Dam
Summary
After testimony from the county engineer about erosion and structural risk to a nearby bridge approach, commissioners declared an emergency and approved a county contribution of $50,000 and a contract to remove the Blackiston Mill Dam, pending permits from state and federal agencies.
Floyd County commissioners on April 1 declared an emergency and approved a contract that includes a $50,000 county contribution to remove the Blackiston Mill Dam, Attorney Rick Fox said.
County Engineer Horacio Urieta described rapid erosion on the Clarksville side of the creek and said the low-head dam’s remnants were diverting flow and threatening a bridge foundation and approach. He testified that removal would promote a natural channel, allow short-term repairs to the old bridge and reduce safety risks. Officials said removal depends on permits from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Environmental Management Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers and coordination with INDOT; they estimated about five days to remove the dam and additional days to shore up the bank before repairing the bridge.
Commissioners voted to declare an emergency to permit contracting outside normal procedures and accepted the contract by unanimous consent. The action authorizes moving forward with permitting and contracting steps necessary for removal, but work cannot start until the relevant agencies sign off and weather permits.
