How to Remove a Dam?
PROCESS
The process of removing a dam typically begins with a willing dam owner contacting NYS DEC Dam Safety, or an environmental non-profit group active in their watershed.
FUNDING
Funding for dam removal is available through New York State grant programs, including the 2022 Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, and the NYS Environmental Protection Fund.
PERMITTING
The NYS DEC Dam Safety website is the authoritative resource for information about dam permitting and regulatory compliance in New York State.
Where to Start?
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Contact: DamRemoval@dec.ny.gov
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Contact: Scott Cuppett (scott.cuppett@dec.ny.gov)
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https://www.savethesound.org/what-we-do/ecological-restoration/river-restoration-network/
Contact: Anthony Allen (Save the Sound)
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Contact: Emily Fell (emily.fell@dec.ny.gov)
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Contact: Corrie Miller (Lake Champlain Basin Program) and Josh LaFountain (The Nature Conservancy)
Depending on where in New York a dam is located, there may be local or regional organizations nearby that can provide more specific information about the dam removal process.