Last year, the USACE and IDNR presented a dam removal program to the city of Geneva and other municipalities on the Fox River with the driving force being environmental improvements.

In a follow up letter dated July 16, 2024 it was acknowledged that both entities failed to perform a programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) as part of the initial study phase of their program. Since this program is driven by environmental issues, this glaring omission defies prudent basic engineering and project management principles.

Due to public, state and federal agency comments, the USACE will now conduct a simple evaluation of project environmental issues, however detailed reviews will not occur until after we are in the design phase of the program. Per the July 16th letter, Geneva is expected to sign an agreement accepting the USACE program without having a detailed understanding of the actual environmental, social, engineering and economic impacts of their proposal.

What is concerning about Geneva’s approach to issues surrounding the Geneva dam is the complete lack of transparency on the options available to the community and their reliance on biased opinions rather than rigorous engineering principles and consideration of other unsuccessful dam removal precedents.

The Geneva city website under Fox River Dam Update contains some very misleading statements that claim we have no choice in what happens to our dam and that the costs of removal are completely covered. Per the USACE and IDNR presentations, the dam will not be removed without the consent of the City, regardless of the IDNR ownership. It should be noted that there are significant uncovered costs of dam removal that the City has been made aware of but which are not disclosed on the website. Also absent in the brief website update is the proposal from the IDNR for various dam modifications, one of which is a stepped spillway installation.  Installing a stepped spillway in lieu of complete dam removal has many benefits, some of which include:
- elimination of the ‘boil’ significantly improving public safety and reducing potential liability concerns.
-passively aerates water thereby increasing oxygen content and improving water quality.
-retains the 180+ year evolution of self flushing pond, wetlands and shoreline - filtering and natural biochemical cleaning of urban storm water pollution
- retains 180+ year evolution of water life, bird and mammal year round habitat and nurseries
- enhances the beauty of the downtown business district encouraging economic investment in Geneva.
- carries significantly lower total project risks and costs and adverse community impacts than dam removal

The  IDNR has offered to fund a significant portion of the stepped spillway costs and private donors have pledged the remainder. Dam annual maintenance and liability costs would remain with Geneva. However, due to the sound structural integrity of the Geneva dam and the significant public safety improvements with the stepped spillway installation these costs are expected to be minimal. The IDNR provided generic annual costs to all municipalities, but when asked via FOIA request for actual annual specific Geneva dam costs, the IDNR stated that they had no Geneva specific annual costs. As such, the stepped spillway is the TRUE no cost alternative for Geneva.

As engaged citizens, it is our responsibility to actively participate in discussions that shape our community and our future. We must join together and demand that our leaders provide true, unbiased representation for all Genevans.