Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pl 566 Dams topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents, officials urge Vernon County not to remove five PL-566 watershed dams
Summary
Multiple landowners, a local mayor and watershed council members told the board they oppose decommissioning five PL-566 dams in Town of Christiana, citing increased flood risk and threat to roads and bridges; Supervisor Eggen presented an 800‑page study and recommended removal due to liability concerns.
Supervisor Alycann Eggen presented photos and a summary of an 800-page report on PL-566 watershed dams in the Town of Christiana, arguing the structures “have broken” and that liability concerns favor removal.
Eggen said engineers and the report raise questions about the dams’ current ability to slow runoff and listed alternatives such as tree removal, lowering spillway heights, wider grass waterways, strip cropping, stormwater management, diversions, and smaller detention features. He quoted the report: “they have broken, they will break again, take them out.”
During the public comment period, several local stakeholders urged the board not to decommission the dams. Tom Schee (Town of Christiana) described flooding on his property; Mark Anderson said the dams have played an important role in flood control; Tim Hunt, a board member of the Coon Creek Watershed Council, said the decision followed years of meetings and a lengthy cost/benefit analysis; Dan Helgerson, mayor of Westby, warned that removing the dams would leave nothing to slow water; Garrick Olerud (Snowflake Ski Club board member) and Gary Keuser (Coon Valley resident) also opposed removal and questioned impacts to roads and bridges.
Supervisor Alycann Taylor asked staff for more information on proactive plans and leveraging federal assistance if the county pursues decommissioning. Administrative Coordinator Cassandra Hanan said the county is working to form a subcommittee to restructure the Flood Mitigation Alliance to discuss what happens after potential decommissioning.
The minutes record discussion and public comment but do not show a final board decision to remove or retain the dams; the issue remains subject to further committee and staff work.
