(Spirit Lake)– The permitting process for building a bridge over the Lower Gar Outlet is reportedly in limbo in Des Moines due to bureaucratic red tape. Milford Mayor Steve Anderson made the revelation at Monday’s emergency meeting of the Dickinson County Emergency Management Commission…
Efforts to get a bridge built at the Lower Gar Outlet to help reduce lake levels more rapidly during times of high water have been ongoing for many, many years and came to the forefront during massive flooding in 1993 and again in 2018. It’s been a source of controversy over the years with those on the other side of the issue expressing concern a bridge could adversely affect water levels on the lower chain of lakes by reducing them too much. Hydraulic studies, however, indicated otherwise. A compromised agreement was reached since then and preliminary plans for the bridge were drafted.
The motion that was passed at Monday’s meeting implementing the 5 mph speed restriction was made contingent upon Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Ehret writing a letter expressing concern over the delay in the bridge permitting process. The commission is urging city officials throughout the county to draft similar letters.
