The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at the Glen Hills Middle School in Glendale, Wisconsin at 6:00 pm on the future of the Estabrook Dam. At the hearing, the DNR will present its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which only looks at 1) repairing the dam and 2) the continued operation and maintenance of the dam. However, the DNR should not have such a narrow focus. The DNR, should, as part of the EIS review, consider and evaluate all alternatives, including the complete removal of the dam. An informed decision requires a thorough analysis of all alternatives, as does Wisconsin law. Given the environmental impact and large amount of state and federal funding proposed for this project, the DNR needs to consider all alternatives and make its decision with the health of our community and the Milwaukee River in mind.

Removing the Estabrook Dam:

• Saves Milwaukee County taxpayers money (at least $4 million cheaper over 20 years);
• Improves the health of the Milwaukee River;
• Decreases flood risk upstream; and
• Reduces liability for the County and risk to public safety.

People may submit comments through April 6, 2016, which should be mailed to:

Kristina Betzold
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
2300 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212

or sent by email to: DNREstabrook@wi.gov

More information on the Estabrook Dam and the DNR’s draft EIS is available on the Estabrook dam proposed repair and operation page of the DNR website.

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