By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
With the intent of keeping Whitewater’s two waterways navigable and low in sediment, city officials have backed a plan to undergo a study of Cravath and Trippe lakes.
As a precursor to the actual study, the Common Council on Dec. 1 green lit a request by Parks and Recreation Director Matt Amundson to apply for a competitive Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources grant that would facilitate the planning process.
Amundson said he met recently with DNR officials to discuss the grant. There is a pool of $650,000 to study dredging options, and DNR has indicated 50 to 60 applicants are expected to throw their hats into the ring.
Relaying information shared by the DNR, Amundson said Whitewater’s chances of obtaining the requested $25,000 in grant funding toward the study fall between 45 and 50 percent.
“If we don’t (receive the grant), I would still like to move forward (on the study) and find the money elsewhere,” Amundson said. “I think this is a critical step.”
If the city does receive the requested grant funding, it would be on the hook for the balance of the study, which would come in at about $8,300.
“This amount would be funded from the current lakes management budget in the stormwater utility,” Amundson said.
While the decision would come down the line, Amundson hinted that city officials might want to create a separate taxing authority — a lakes district — for riparian property owners.
When asked about the rationale behind having such a district, Amundson said, “It would provide a funding source” for projects such as dredging work.
