Response to RFP turned in today

Our group of volunteers and myself have put together a rough response that sends the following message:


Dear Niles,

Did you know.....There are local, state, and federal sources ready to assist Dam Owners with the cost and process of dam removal? The monies are available to obtain so it costs the city nothing.

A project manager should be assigned to coordinate the effort. This position is paid for with grants and costs the city nothing.


The same organizations that are willing to help have extensive experience nationally and locally in Berrien County with the complex dimensions of conducting a dam removal.

Did you forget your council moratorium in 2009 that you would remove the dam if it could be done without cost?

There are some nagging and previous beliefs and assertions about compliance, the recommendations by the MDNR, and other claims are patently false, and perpetuating mis-understanding and hearsay.
Aggravating the situation is that several of the volunteers begging the city to consider this option are from out of state, and therefore have less importance.

Editorial Comment:  I will assume, then, that the dam owners and buyers and hydro-operators must be from Niles, also? Hmmmm.....


Our goal is to have a group of organizations ready to present a brief outlline of how they can help if the city wants to proceed.  They have agreed in principle that dam removal is the preferred option, and also are willing ot assist the city in this daunting task.

MDNRE
US Fish and Wildlife Service
The Army Corps of Engineers
Trout Unlimited
Friends of the St. Joe River
South West Michigan Planning Commission
Michigan United Conservation Council














Thanks,.............more to folllow