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To the Editor,

     On Monday, July 31, the Conservation Board held a meeting concerning the removal of the Mon Maq Dam. The majority of the attendees were in favor of saving the dam. However, there were several people present who were very adamant in their wish to have the dam removed.

     A young lady expressed her opinion for the dam removal from a point of view stating the money was available (free grant money). She made it very clear IF the dam went out sometime in the future she did not want any of HER money spent to pay for damages. Has anyone ever considered the monetary damages that could happen to the Monticello area IF revenue from canoeing, kayaking, fishing and camping on and around this river is altered because of the dam removal?

     A young man expressed his very strong support for the dam removal. From his perspective, the money is free. He stated if we don’t use it, someone else will. He declared dam removals are happening all over the country.

     Grant money is never free. It is collected from everyone through taxation and always has stipulations attached. I don’t know the circumstances of dam removals happening all over the country, but I do know many people are unhappy the Hopkinton dam was removed and Oxford Junction residents wish they had their dam back. My mother always said, “Just because someone else is jumping off the bridge, doesn’t mean you should.” Through the years, I have found this to be very sound advice.

     Another woman expressed her opinion that the dam should be removed so the fish could swim freely.

     Fish will be just fine swimming freely above and below the dam, as they have done for the last 100-plus years, without taxpayers spending millions of dollars, tearing out a perfectly GOOD and BEAUTIFUL dam, simply for the fish’s enjoyment.

     Let us all think very carefully about the Mon Maq Dam removal. Once the deal is done, and the dam is gone, it will be too late.

     My opinion – I’m just saying.

Cindy Davies

Anamosa, Iowa