To the editor,

In response to the Feb. 22, 2023 article regarding the City of River Falls possibly using taxpayer money to remove Junction Falls dam, and the loss of Lake George, I note the following; Scot Simpson, City Administrator, commented that during the Kinni Corridor planning process the top four recreational interests were hiking/walking, paddling, relaxing along the shoreline, fishing and picnicking. In the 2023 Outdoor Recreation survey, walking/biking around Lake George was the number one activity people responded to.
River Falls currently enjoys all of the top recreational activities. Why is the city thinking about spending $10- $15 million of taxpayer/electric rate payer money to remove Junction Falls Dam, with the obvious loss of Lake George?
The city is preparing to remove Junction Falls Dam, even as it is about to receive its renewed 40-year license, which rate payers have already paid for. The city now proposes using taxpayer funds for dam removal because the groups who lobbied to remove the dam, after four years of trying, could hardly come up with $100,000 for dam removal. That’s right, after four years, they can't come up with more than 1% of the costs that they now seem happy to dump on taxpayers.
Furthermore, draining Lake George would reduce local birding opportunities. Birds like the Mergansers and Trumpeter Swans mentioned in last week's letter to the editor by Thomas R. Smith would no longer make a winter stop in River Falls. Eagles would not perch high in the pines, searching Lake George for fish. And what child or adult is not enchanted watching the new families of ducklings in Lake George during the spring months of renewed life?

Instead of eliminating Lake George, let’s reclaim and enhance it as the city's center piece attraction - just steps off of Main Street and accessible for all to enjoy!

William Hansen 

Town of River Falls