The first meeting of the Fox River Dam Joint Task Force will be March 28, 2024, at 6 p.m., at City Hall, 2 E. Main Street, in City Council Chambers, 2nd floor. All are encouraged to attend. This is the first of several meetings expected to take place. A meeting schedule will be announced once it is established by the Task Force.
The Joint Task Force was formed to better examine the potential environmental, economic, and recreational impacts to the City, Park District, residents, and businesses if the dam is removed. The United States Army Corp of Engineers recently released a draft report regarding removal of nine dams along the Fox River, including the St. Charles dam.
The St. Charles City Council voted to create the Joint Task Force to engage the public, solicit input, and analyze all relevant information. Included on the Task Force are nine community representatives, including five from the City, 3 from the Park District, and one from River Corridor Foundation.
City Representatives
- Conrad Newell, Resident
- Brian Pohrte, Resident
- Ryan Bongard, Alderperson Ward 2
- Alderperson Paul Lencioni, Alderperson Ward 3
- Alderperson Bryan Wirball, Alderperson Ward 4
Park District Representatives
- Jim Cooke, Park Board Commissioner
- Bob Thomson, Park Board of Commissioners Vice President
- Mike Kies, Park District Superintendent of Recreation
River Corridor Foundation Representative
- John Rabchuk, River Corridor Foundation Director
“The Fox River is at the very heart of our community and I don’t feel like the issues pertinent to St. Charles were adequately addressed in the US the Army Corps of Engineers report,” said Mayor Lora Vitek. “I think it is important to gather more information specific to the economic and recreational impacts surrounding dam removal, and to solicit public feedback before any decisions are made.”
