Public meetings for Brodhead Tributaries dam rehabilitation projects set

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, and the Monroe County Conservation District are co-sponsoring two public scoping meetings to discuss the proposed rehabilitation of two dams located on the Brodhead Tributaries in Monroe County.

The meetings will be held at the Monroe County Public Safety Center, 100 Gypsum Road, Stroudsburg. An afternoon meeting will be held at 2 p.m. April 21 for agencies, organizations, watershed associations, etc. but is also open to the public. The evening meeting will be held at 6 p.m. April 21 for the general public.

Representatives from the local sponsors and NRCS, along with their consultants, will provide information on the dam rehabilitation program, planning activities to date for the two Brodhead dams, describe the various rehabilitation alternatives being considered for these floodwater retarding structures, answer questions and concerns about the planned activities, and seek public input.

The Brodhead dams offer flood protection to residents of Monroe County located downstream. Local sponsors, NRCS staff, and their consultants are developing a plan for rehabilitating these structures so they meet current dam safety regulations and design standards. Alternatives being considered include: no action, decommissioning (dam removal), structural rehabilitation, and nonstructural measures.

The planning process is expected to be completed by late summer 2023. Federal funding has been received to assist the local sponsors in developing the plan but has not yet been secured for the design or construction of these projects.

NRCS provides reasonable accommodations to enable all persons with disabilities to participate in agency programs and activities. If you require special accommodations, contact Mark Buckwalter by April 18. For information, contact Mark Buckwalter, Civil Engineer, NRCS, at 717-2372245 or mark.buckwalter@usda.gov.