Preservation Commission hosts panel to discuss Mon Maq Dam

     Prior to the Aug. 24 decision by Jones County Conservation to move forward with partial removal of Mon Maq Dam, the Jones County Historic Preservation Commission (JCHPC) held a public consultation meeting. This meeting was held the morning of Aug. 23 at the Community Building in Monticello.

     Over 60 people were present, along with members of the JCHPC. The consulting panel consisted of representatives from the various agencies working with the JCCB on the dam project: Paula Mohr, State Historical Preservation Commission; Dan Higginbottom, archaeologist with the State Historical Commission; Brant Vollman, Army Corps of Engineers; Brennan Dolan, Iowa DOT; and Mike LaPietra, Federal Highway Administration.

     Brad Mormann, Conservation Director, commented that the JCCB typically works with all of these entities, but not until a decision is made concerning a particular project.

     Part of the meeting was spent discussing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). With the Mon Maq Dam utilizing federal funds, they are required to look into the effect this project could have on potential historic properties. The dam, though, is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places, though it was eligible at one time.

     “We rely heavily on historic preservation commissions,” said Higginbottom. “They are our eyes around the state.”

     He said general public input is also a requirement in securing federal funds on projects like this. Numerous people repeatedly addressed the panel during the meeting, which lasted for several hours.

     “We are just charged with making sure the Section 106 process is being followed,” added Higginbottom.

     He said there are four steps in the process:

     • Identify the area that could be potentially affected.

     • Identify the historical area.

     • Assess the effects based on the types of activity that the agency will be doing.

     • Look at the mitigation measures to minimize/avoid the area that could be affected/destroyed.

     “In an ideal situation,” said Higginbottom, “you would go through each of these steps without any problems.”

     LaPietra echoed, reiterating what Higginbottom said, involving the public is part of the process to move the project along.

     “Especially if you have controversy,” he said.

     Dolan agreed. “Public opinion with regard to its (the structure) significance is an important part of the project.”

     The panel thanked the many people in the room for attending the meeting, saying they are part of the required process.

     “There are different levels of significance,” explained Higginbottom. “Significance at the local level is where public opinion comes in.”

     Don Bohlken, a former Monticello resident, questioned the environmental impact when taking out the dam. Dolan said the project is just in the pre-application stage, so nothing is known yet regarding impacts the ecological environment and which permits would be needed.

     “It depends on the project,” said Dolan. “There are multiple levels of permits required.”

     It was asked whether the JCCB could return the grants they’ve been awarded without any future negative effects in applying for funding again down the road.

     “The money can be returned,” said LaPietra. “They (JCCB) can apply for other grants, but not the same ones for 10 years.”

     He said there is a difference between having the funds committed toward the project and having the funds released.

     Mike Wells commented on the supposed rile of Conservation. “Conservation does not mean destroy,” he said. “We need to pay the men who built that dam a compliment and leave it there; it’s not hurting anything.”

     Marv Rickels, a local resident, questioned why Mon Maq needed to be “fixed” when other sites such as Eby’s Mill and Pictured Rocks “have been left unfinished?”

     Dolan reminded the crowd that, as a panel, they were asked to be present to address Section 106, the role public opinion has in the process, and the historical factors associated with the project, not to sway JCCB one way or another.

     “There was money JCCB pursued through grants,” said Dolan. “The ultimate decision is with the JCCB. When the grants are awarded, we then work with the local entity on developing the plans.”

     Jerry Muller, a longtime Monticello resident, spoke to the loss of the local water table if the dam were removed.

     Vollman answered, “Things can be done depending on the level of impact.” However, he said at this point without JCCB having voted on which alternative they wish to pursue, there’s no telling how the project would affect the City of Monticello’s water levels.

     To that topic, Judy Skay also felt that dam removal would impact the pond at Riverside Gardens, which has been there since the early ‘90s.

     “A lot of people put a lot of work and money into that pond,” she said. “We want to keep it.”

     With many people opposed to the removal of the dam due to its historical significance, including Tom Osborne, Dolan said, after studying the various alternatives JCCB put together, a couple of the options “would not adversely affect the historical significance of the dam.

     “However, no final decision has been made,” he said. “Your feedback is critical in guiding this process forward.”

     Higginbottom added, “There is no preordained outcome here. They have to consider all of the alternatives; that’s part of the legal process. It’s up to the federal agencies to weigh the public benefit and the cost. We don’t know how this will end up; there’s no guarantee.” He said with so many people speaking out and against removing the dam, those comments will be taken into consideration.

     “Your local voice is what matters,” Higginbottom said. “It’s your history.”

     He said public opinion could surely lead to the project being modified from start to finish.

     LaPietra said the Federal Highway Administration has been a part of several projects that have been canceled due to several factors throughout the course of the project.

     “This has been absolutely community driven,” said Rose Rohr, JCHPC, concerning the opposition and drive to save the dam.