the Only Feasible Path Forward

There has never been a “do nothing" alternative. It is not permitted to leave the dams in the rivers as they are. 
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Dams with normal (legal) lake levels that existed before 2020 with a lake level special assessment district are the best path forward.

• A public lake, with property owners surrounding the lake, must have a long-term plan for maintenance, operations and repairs.
• River restoration (i.e., removing the dams) is not feasible. The 2021 study estimated a cost of $125 million to remove the dams and restore the environment. This likely would be significantly higher given construction cost inflation and the amount of new construction that has been completed. It would create the most uncertain environmental, public safety, and legal and governance issues of any alternative - especially without sponsorship to even start the project.

Four Lakes Task Force (FLTF) has a legal and contractual obligation to restore the lakes to their normal (legal) levels in compliance with dam safety standards and environmental regulations. 

The counties approved the computation of costs and the special assessment rolls to finance the work. FLTF continues to seek grants, allocations and donations beyond the $247 million already received to lower the financial burden of the project.
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Most of the Four Lakes property owners want to see the lakes restored. It will protect their property values, heal the environment, and restore their quality of life. 

To delay the restoration of these lakes delays the restoration of the quality of life taken away from them in May 2020.