Board votes to remove dams

BY Sheri McWhirter
smcwhirter@record-eagle.com

April 11, 2009 08:07 am

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TRAVERSE CITY -- It's going to be an all-new Boardman River, though not anytime soon.

Traverse City and Grand Traverse County officials voted late Thursday to remove three dams, a project that could take at least five years to complete, including removal of built-up sediment behind the structures and dismantling of aging buildings.

The river bed will change and the water impoundments behind the dams will drain.

"It will be a trickle running through the woods, rather than the beautiful nature preserves we have now," said Bruce Carpenter, who lives on Boardman Pond. "Most of the property owners are very upset."

Some of those who live near the pond are discussing a lawsuit to halt the project, Carpenter said.

"There's consensus that things are becoming ripe, but we're going to sleep on it a little bit. I'm still hoping there's a chance for negotiations," he said.

The decision to remove the dams came after years of study and public discussion about the former hydroelectric-generating structures.

"In my opinion, this is the best thing to happen to Traverse City environmentally since years ago they decided to clean up the beachfront," said Mayor Michael Estes.

Traverse City and Grand Traverse County commissioners voted late Thursday in dual split decisions to remove the dams, after a lengthy meeting that largely focused on hydroelectric capabilities of three of the river's four dams.

Years of study resulted in two primary and opposing opinions in the community: Some wanted the dams removed to restore a free-flowing river with an improved fishery and recreational opportunities, while others wanted them to remain to preserve the impoundments and perhaps return the dams to use as power generators.

The county owns Boardman and Sabin dams, while the city owns Brown Bridge and Union Street dams. Union Street Dam is the only one never used to generate power and will not be removed because it blocks sea lampreys.

Northport resident Charles Peterson wants to return the three hydroelectric dams to use as power generators, but his plans were shot down by the 6-2 county vote and the 4-2 city vote.

Peterson said he won't give up.

"It was clear they just wanted to make a choice one way or the other. The way they handled this is a complete breach of the public trust," said Peterson, who added he may take legal action.

"Our anger is not going to be easily abated," Peterson said. "We're not giving up."

Peterson owns the hydroelectric equipment inside both Boardman and Sabin dams, purchased from Traverse City Light & Power in December 2007 for $60,000.

County Commissioner Ross Richardson voted to remove the dams, a choice he believes is best for the community.

"This is a very hard decision and it's something we've all put a lot of work into, trying to understand all the pros and cons," he said.

Richardson's decision was based on heavy financing needed to return the dams to hydroelectric use, environmental benefits of dam removal and the dams' continuing liability costs to the county, he said.

City Commissioner Jim Carruthers voted against dam removal, he said, because of his concerns about residents' property rights and values, plus the need to pursue renewable energy opportunities.

"We are supporting more sustainable, renewable energies. Why not use the infrastructure we have?" he said. Dam removal will mean this area will "push the dirty business of power generation into someone else's backyard," Carruthers said.

Area environmental advocates count the dam removal decision as a victory for the entire watershed.

"This will be the largest ecological restoration project in the history of the Grand Traverse Bay watershed," said Andy Knott, executive director of the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay.

Knott said it may turn out to be the largest river restoration project in Michigan, involving several miles of river, hundreds of acres of wetlands and dozens of acres of upland habitats.

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