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It's been a long time coming.
After 14 years of planning and fundraising, Republic Township has secured sufficient funds to remove the Republic Dam.
The most recent addition of money comes from the state budget plan. The budget granted the township $250,000, in addition to a previous grant from the Dam Risk Reduction Grant Program.
The dam's demolition will begin in September. The project aims to improve river and community health by replacing the dam with a fish ladder designed by GEI Consultants of Marquette.
The Michigamme River Basin Authority, a Republic Township board dedicated to the health of the area's waterways, has led the project since its formation in 2009.
In May, it received a $250,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as well as a $750,000 grant from the Dam Risk Reduction Grant Program.
The township also earmarked $350,000 for the project through capital bonds and taxes. In total, the project's budget is $1.7 million.
Jim Brennan, Republic Township supervisor, said this project is important for the environment and economy of the community.
"The people understand that if the river stays like this, property values will go down. And eventually that goes outward and affects everyone in the town," he said.
Brennan noted that a mining company built the dam in 1926 to aid the region's iron ore industry. It then passed through private ownership until the township bought it in 2018.
After that, Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy issued a five-year permit that allowed the dam to operate. The permit expires this year.
Township officials hope that the replacement of the dam will help maintain property values while improving the area's environmental health while encouraging recreation.
We hope the same.
There are plenty of Republic Township residents who have been waiting for this day since they first moved to the area, and it has finally arrived. It's a beautiful part of our community, and hopefully this move helps to retain some of its locals.
We have a feeling there will be some extra celebrations going on at the Republic Sportsman's Club's annual fishing derby later this month.