By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
A pair of public hearings are scheduled for June 27 with the intended purpose of allowing what appears to be dredging and the relocating of dredged materials in the Town of Waterford.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced two public hearings, one at 5 p.m. and the second at 6 p.m. at Waterford Union High School, Entrance 1, 100 Field Dr., Waterford.
The Waterford Waterway Management District has applied for two permits – one for the dredging of the Fox River in both the town and village of Waterford, and one to place the dredged material in wetlands located in the town.
The dredged material will be moved via one or two 12-inch pipes.
Both notifications from the DNR indicate the department “has made a tentative determination that it will issue the permit or contract for the proposed activity.”
Town Chairman Tom Hincz has objected to the work being done, saying that it will place a financial burden on riparian owners along the Fox River.
He added that the Waterford Water Management District is also looking at a potential draw down of the river level in order to kill invasive species.
“How many things can people absorb?” Hincz said. “You have so much going on, I don’t know if people can make rational decisions.”
Hincz said if the drawdown is done in the fall – which is what is being proposed – there will be numerous people who will be forced off the water early.
“You have people that want to fish, who still want to boat,” Hincz said. “I’m not saying it’s not right, but we don’t know how efficient it’s going to be.”
Prior to the public meeting, comments can be emailed to [email protected], or by writing to her at 141 NW Barstow St., Rm. 180, Waukesha, WI 53188. Comments should include the docket number (IP-SE-2015-52-00698 or WP-IP-SE-2014-52-03557-03558), relate to whether the project meets legal standards and be sent within 10 days of the public hearing.
The final decision is also capable of being appealed.
More on the water management district can be found at waterfordwwmd.com. It was formed in 2003 to respond to concerns about the Waterford waterways.
The group’s next meeting is scheduled for June 23 at 7 p.m. at Waterford Town Hall.
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