Posted on September 11, 2024
TOWN OF BURLINGTON — Racine County is considering a $1.1 million contribution to Browns Lake dredging.
The county received $2 million last year through the settlement of a nationwide class-action suit against Monsanto Co. and members of the Finance and Human Resource Committee voted Wednesday to recommend using $1.1 million of the settlement to help pay for the Browns Lake project.
On Tuesday, the full Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the potential contribution, which would make the county a partner in the dredging project with the Browns Lake Sanitary District and the Town of Burlington.
“It’s been a longtime gem for the county and regionally,” said Supervisor Robert Miller said, who voted in favor of the plan.
Supervisor Don Trottier, the committee chairman, said he enjoyed visits to Browns Lake as a child.
“This is a great project,” he said.
The Browns Lake Sanitary District is planning to dredge large sections of the 397-acre lake, primarily along the western and southern shores. Work is scheduled to begin in 2025 and to continue through two summer boating seasons.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has approved a permit for the project, including plans to discharge sludge onto farm fields just east of the lake.
Early projections are that about 500,000 tons of sediment and other pollutants will be removed, rejuvenating Browns Lake as a popular site for outdoor summer fun.
Contractor proposals received in May included a low bid of $9.3 million and three other proposals as high as $12.2 million.
The sanitary district has outlined a 20-year borrowing plan that calls for property owners around the lake to pay $5 million, and for the Town of Burlington and Racine County to split another $5 million.
Burlington Town Board members voted in July to contribute $2.5 million while also using the town’s borrowing capacity to seek more favorable terms for financing the $10 million in debt.
County leaders, however, balked at matching the $2.5 million, and instead presented the $1.1 million donation as an alternative.
On Wednesday, Browns Lake backers urged supervisors to get behind the new proposal.
Claude Lois, president of the sanitary district board, told the finance committee that dredging has been discussed for years and has never been so close to happening. With planning, permitting and contracting already done, Lois said, the work is scheduled to begin next spring.
“We’re coming to you with a project in hand,” he said. “We’re ready to go, folks.”
Browns Lake resident Kim Deriaz told the committee that residents of the sanitary district have paid to maintain the lake for decades, but now that a major dredging effort is needed, the whole county should play a part.
“The public waters at Browns Lake obviously belong to everyone,” she said. “And everyone should contribute to help keep it healthy.”
