Options for mill pond suggested

At a recent Manawa Common Council Programs and Services Committee meeting two local citizens presented an alternative plan for the Manawa Mill Pond.

Nick Heise and Ben Hlaban addressed the committee Nov. 14.

The ideas they presented included connecting the trails throughout the city, adding bridges, pollinator gardens and ponds to help restore some of the waterfront that was lost when the dam breached July 5.

Heise said there are grants available to create and maintain green spaces that could be applied for and used.

Hlaban said they would like to form a working group to research some of the alternatives.

“I think the idea would be to have a collaborative effort with the city and make sure that we’re all working together and exploring these options,” Hlaban said.

Heise stressed that the river is as healthy as it has ever been, mentioning that the dam had its place and purpose for many years. However without the logging industry or the mill the need for the dam is less useful then what it had been in the past.

Heise said right now the river is cleaning itself out and creating a new kind of habitat that could help bring sturgeon and trout back to the area.

“I think the river spoke and it says we’re done with the dam and we want to be a river again,” Heise said. “We’re never going to have these options again, and it might be a better thing for Manawa and I have no doubt its better for the river.”

Hlaban said he is also worried that if nothing is done that there could be an invasive species invasion in the exposed lake, whereas planting something desirable there could help keep the invasive species out of the immediate mill pond area.

The biggest hurdle for the city when it comes to the dam is the cost, should the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approve the rebuilding of the dam, the money will still need to be found in order to complete the project.

Mayor Mike Frazier said at the Oct. 21 city council meeting that if they cannot find the funding they will not be able to rebuild the dam.

Josh Smith, the head of the Department of Public Works, said Cedar Corporation, Manawa’s city engineer, told them that the dam would have to be replaced in its entirety.

Frazier said there are six dams in Wisconsin that have failed including Manawa, which are still needing to be rebuilt.

“The reality is we may have to go with a plan B,” Frazier said. “We don’t want to bankrupt the city.”

Hlaban said having a City Council representative on the working committee will help to give them legitimacy when they approach the DNR and other organizations.

“Our intention would be to also solicit additional help,” Hlaban said. “With the hope that the city would provide a liaison.”

Heise and Hlaban both agreed that setting up a plan B, so if the funding for the dam is not found, at the very least the city would have a jumpstart on an alternative to restore the river and the land around it.

Mary Eck, the City Council president, suggested Heise and Hlaban present to the Little Wolf Town Board, and if they are not able to that Eck and Ann Bonikowske, a city council member, could bring it up at the following meeting they have with the township.

Bonikowske said she would have to canvas the committee members and see who would be willing to assist.

No decision was made by the city regarding a council representative joining Heise and Hlaban.