City’s Dredging Grant Chances Not Good

It appears that once again the City of Peshtigo’s efforts to dredge the beds of Trout Creek and a portion of the Peshtigo River may be stymied. Dredging has been offered as a viable solution to the problem with weeds clogging the creek and river in the city. There had been hopes dredging could be done in conjunction with the current Peshtigo River drawdown for dam repair and bridge reconstruction, but that possibility now appears very unlikely to become a reality.

Alderman Mike Behnke reported at a 7:30 a.m. Parks and Recreation Committee meeting Friday, June 29 that applications for a dredging permit from the DNR and a Great Lakes Grant from the EPA to help pay for the work had been submitted before the end of May, with the help of Greg Cleereman and Chuck Druckery of the Marinette County Land and Water Conservation Department. But now they have run into a snag with the DNR permit.

Behnke said he has been told there were no samples taken from the river bed, and there are no numbers available at this time on just how much that will cost. He said it could range from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars, but DNR Water Quality Specialist Robert Rosenberger has told him he sees little chance of getting the samplings done in time to get the grant, get the permits and do the work before the water levels start rising again in August.

Behnke said Rosenberger has told him they need to test the soil for contaminants before dredging can begin. It is possible to dredge after the water goes up, but then it gets more expensive because it it will need to be done from barges with suction equipment and require use of costly de-watering techniques.

Several committee members thought the testing had been done last year when county personnel assisted with the invasive aquatic plant study.

“They keep adding restrictions,” commented Alderman Tom Gryzwa.

Behnke agreed it is frustrating, “They keep finding new curves to throw at you.” Gryzwa urged him to keep at it and not give up.

Behnke said Rosenberger is usually quite helpful, but had told him on this issue there is no way to expedite the grant, “It has to move through channels.”

There were several comments from committee members and observers that city taxpayers should not have to pay for the dredging, since the nutrients causing the weed explosion of recent years come mainly from agricultural operations upstream, and not from sources within the city. The grant would take care of that problem.

The need to get rid of at least some of the weeds is so urgent that Behnke even suggested they might have luck with a fund raising drive if all else fails. Fishing, swimming and boating are all impaired by the weeds. Despite the dry land currently exposed by the drawdown, DNR rules prohibit removing anything from river beds without a permit.

Dismayed by the price on the sole bid received for Riverfront Park development, the committee agreed to take no action, but informally decided to contact the project designers, Enterprise Engineering, to find out what they would charge to serve as construction managers so separate bids can be sought for different segments of the work.

Alderman Cathi Malke, who chairs the committee, suggested they also should look at how much of the work needs to be done at once, and what can perhaps be put off for the future if necessary.

There were questions on why it is necessary to replace the existing sprinkler system, and on need to replace all the existing lawn. Saving some of the lawn would cut down on the amount of top soil needed and seed for a new lawn.

The grant is for $267,900 and of this $74,404 has already been spent, leaving less than $200,000 for the remainder of the project.

Malke also suggested they should at least try to get the fishing pier in before the river goes back up. There was brief talk also of putting a T-dock, perhaps 24’X12’ with seating area, in the river near the small pavilion.

The committee decided on the color and design of $2,000 worth of benches to be donated for Riverfront Park by Lunda Construction in exchange for using portions of the city property during their work on the bridge.

Other business at the meeting included a long discussion centered on setting some new rules and fees for camping and pavilion use at Badger Park that will be presented for approval at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 3.

A committee objective is to increase use of the campground by encouraging seasonal rentals.

The committee agreed the cement block interior walls of the new pavilion, excluding the wood portions, should be painted in a grafiti-resistant color complimentary to the wood before they have a chance to be damaged by use. In connection with that, at the suggestion of Gryzwa, the committee ruled smoking and use of barbecue grills - gas or electric - should be prohibited inside the building to prevent smoke discoloration of the ceiling. Behnke seconded the motion. Use of nails, thumbtacks, staples, etc., to attach any materials of any type to any part of the pavilion is prohibited.

Rent is proposed to remain the same. City residents will be charged $35 to rent the small pavilion and $50 for the large pavilion, and non resident charges are $50 for the small pavilion and $65 for the large. In addition there is a refundable security deposit of $50 for the small pavilion and $100 for the large, to be returned if the building is undamaged and properly cleaned. Individuals must be out of the pavilion and park by 11 p.m.

Campground rules and reservation policies were discussed at length and a decision on a deadline date for registration for seasonal campers was left to the next meeting, as was a decision on how the reservation system can be improved. Malke suggested this will give them time to gather more information and fully consider the ideas discussed. She felt at least one or two sites should be kept open for people who want to camp all summer. Behnke agreed, and suggested as long as the 10 percent deposit is made they should be able to reserve a year ahead.

The committee favored a policy that rewards return customers by allowing campers to book a reservation for the next year at any time during their stay.

Proposed prices to be presented for approval by the Council Tuesday night, July 3, are $1,125 for four months, $720 for two months, $400 for one month, $200 for two weeks, $115 per week and $18 to camp one night at a time. Cabins can be rented for $35 a night and are not available for long-term rates.

Advance reservations will require a 10 percent deposit, which is refundable only if the reservation is cancelled at least two weeks prior to the start of the reservation dates.

Parks and Recreation Depaetment Director Dave Marquardt said the two busiest times are during Historical Days and Porterfield Country Fest, when Peshtigo gets some of the overflow from the popular country music event.

Payment of $6,500 to Olson Electric for lighting in the new pavilion was approved, with money to come from a fund set up when the city sold recreational land outside the city limits that had been donated for recreational use. In a separate action, the committee authorized Olson Electric to upgrade and add electricity to the Badger Park Campground for $8,840.

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