Flat Land Resources, LLC

Despite the Many Organizations, Agencies and Individuals That Desire and Work to See Dams Removed or Modified Across the State of Indiana, Few Projects Have Been Undertaken. This Has Put the State Behind the Curve Compared to Other Mid West States Initiatives, Some of Which Have Been in Place for Decades. While the Movement to Undertake These Projects Is Relatively New, There Are Established Funding Organizations, Both Public and Private, That Have the Capacity to Support Projects at a Moment S Notice.in Ohio, Dam Removal and Modification Has Become a Key Element in Revitalization Efforts in Urban Areas (i.e., Dayton and Columbus) as Well as Removing Unsafe Barriers on Heavily Recreated Waterways Across the State. With the Ongoing Projects in Troy and Piqua, the Miami Conservancy District and the Us Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Have Begun to Look Closely at the Other Dams Along the Great Miami River, From Hamilton to the Headwaters at Indian Lake, That Could Possibly Be Removed or Modified.it Is Our Observation That the Gap Between Available Funding and Projects Undertaken Can Be Boiled Down to Three Key Factors No Widely Available Matrix Prioritizing Dam Removals and Modificationslack of Education and Knowledge of Dam Owners Regarding Funding Opportunities for Removalno System in Place for Sponsors Willing to Be the Fiscal Agent for Projects to Connect With Dam Owners (specifically Relating to Individuals Who Are Unable to Apply for State and Federal Funding)there Are Inevitably Both Public and Private Dam Owners Who Wish to Remove the Structures But Have Little Knowledge or Understanding of How to Begin and Carry Out the Process. the Project Would Help Educate These Owners, Stakeholders, and the Public on the Importance of Dam Removal Modification and Help Connect the Dots Between Available Funding and Completion of the Project(s).the Matrix Ranking List Would Be Based on Multiple Factors Such as Public Safety Concerns, Recreational Use Around the Dam, and Health Aquatic Species Around the Dam and Could Be Utilized by the Funding Agencies to Help Prioritize Projects to Chase. Specifics of These Matrix Factors Is Further Detailed in the Goals and Objectives Section.finally, the Project Will Coordinate Closely With the Indiana DNR as They Work Towards Developing a Statewide Dam Removal Program Required by House Bill 1099 Passed in 2020.