County Supervisor candidate Franz Meyer asks: What does Jason Haas really think about the Estabrook Dam?
Meyer calls out Haas’ inconsistent history on the issue
MILWAUKEE – Franz Meyer, candidate for Milwaukee County Supervisor in District 14, released the following statement today calling on Supervisor Jason Haas to explain his inconsistent record on the Estabrook Dam:
“Jason Haas is a major reason county taxpayers are still spending money on the unnecessary Estabrook Dam. He has voted more than 10 times to spend as much as $7 million in order to keep the dam. As recently as November, Haas ignored the calls of scientists and fishermen and voted to rebuild the dam.
“In one case, Jason Haas was so insistent taxpayers pay to rebuild the dam that he went along with a bizarre legislative maneuver intended to beat back his colleagues who opposed the wasted spending. The tactic was so obscure that Haas voted to suspend County Board rules in order to make it happen.
“Now that he’s facing reelection, Jason Haas wants us to believe he’s had a change of heart. But his voting record is clear: Jason Haas supports the expensive, unnecessary Estabrook Dam.
“This is not a difficult decision. Removing the dam will save taxpayer dollars and improve water quality. The Estabrook Dam has to go.
“I am running for Supervisor to ensure our county government works for all of us. Residents of District 14 need stronger investments in our parks and transit system, not the wasteful Estabrook Dam.”
For more information, visit http://www.franzformilwaukee.com.
Franz for Milwaukee
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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County Supervisor candidate Franz Meyer asks: What does Jason Haas really think about the Estabrook Dam?
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Thank you candidate Franz Meyer!
“total cost for removing Estabrook dam could increase by $15 million or more, resulting in the cost for the removal alternative being three times rather than one-third the cost for repair. In effect, all these factor would result in a complete reversal in the relative costs, making repair by far less costly for the taxpayers than removal of the dam.“
Dave Holmes, UWM-Freshwater Sciences
http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2015/12/23/a-freshwater-controversy-repairing-estabrook-dam-will-cost-less/2/
“The environmental benefits attributed to removal of the dam (reduced sediment accumulation, enhanced fish populations, general improvements in water quality) appear to be unsubstantiated by either actual data collected from this section of the Milwaukee River or by data collected from comparable rivers and dam removal projects. “
“Removal of Estabrook Dam has the potential to result in negative environmental impacts of the Milwaukee River. Shallow water depths could increase sediment buildup and decrease fish population.”
Dave Holmes, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of Freshwater Sciences
Last I checked Mr. Holmes is employed by Stantec Consultants hired by the proponents to repair the dam (Milwaukee River Preservation Association). No matter, his opinions are appreciated and respected. That said, there is a comprehensive review and comments on Mr. Holmes series of articles supporting repairing the dam. That review and counter argument for dam removal can be found at the following link:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55157271e4b0179c6ec8b662/t/56e342154c2f8502d979d2aa/1457734177488/EstabrookDam_ver_FINAL+03112016.pdf