By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Village of Waterford’s elected officials joined their town counterparts last week in opposing a proposed drawdown of Tichigan Lake and several ancillary waterways that feed into the Fox River.
The Waterford Waterway Management District, which has direct jurisdiction over the bodies of water, has proposed the drawdown, in large part to address invasive species that have been a bane on the various bodies of water.
When it met early this month, the Town Board cited a number of reasons in opposition to the drawdown, including concerns the work could diminish the value of surrounding real estate and kill the supply of fish.
At this week’s village meeting, Trustee Don Houston, who serves as a municipal liaison to the WWMD, suggested a middle-of-the-road approach. His request to not make a position failed without any support.
Houston said he can understand the concerns for the drawdown, but also said he had reservations about some of the current methods of chemically treating the waterways to address the invasive species issue.
In particular, Houston said he has concerns with the fish caught and eaten from the waterways, which feed into the Fox River in the village.
Village President Jim Schneider countered Houston’s concerns, stating, “The (Department of Natural Resources) will not let you put chemicals in the water if it will harm the fish.”
Trustee Tammy Pollnow, who made the motion to outright reject the WWMD’s plans, said she was concerned with what she characterized as a lack of specificity in the governing body’s proposal.
“In my opinion, I think there are more questions that need to be answered,” said Pollnow, whose motion was approved on a 5-1 vote.
The WWMD was slated to take up its drawdown plans at its meeting Thursday, April 27, after press deadline.
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