How can I get funding to repair a dam? The DNR will drain the lake if we don't.?
Question:This 50 acre lake has been in our family for nearly 200 years, and the department of natural resources has added more rules and regulations to their regular inspections of the dam. It's not fair. Now they want us to pay $250,000 to $500,000 to repair/update the dam (to their regulations), or else drain the lake, which would also cost around $10,000. We do not have that kind of money. This lake has sentimental value to my family, but it is also a source of water and natural habitat to a lot of wildlife (fish, deer, geese, frogs, turtles, bobcats, snakes, lizards, etc). This lake is also supplies water for the fire department. What can we do? Where can we get the money?
Answers:
If the lake is a benefit to the environment, the DNR will surely have information for you in this regard. They could at least point you in the right direction to start looking.
Sounds like you need a good attorney if nothing else.
Advertise and hold charity events to raise money, such as bring and buy sales or cake sales etc. Make a day out of it and invite locals to donate things or even their time to help.
Also, tell people about the animals, family value and the fire department. That will almost certainly raise awareness. Everyone relies on the fire depo in an emergency, and loads of people love their local wildlife.
Make a petition. Also, if any of the animals are a protected species, you can get in contact with your local authorities who will then have to help you in order to look after that animal. Else it would be illegal if they didnt.
Appeal the ruling.Maybe you can have the new rules and regs omitted by claiming the old rules were adequate enough and if you can prove that the new rules would make no difference in structural integrity...especially if you had no problems for years.
Or you can get a judge to stop the draining because it's been a fixture for wildlife and may damage the ecosystem.
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