It is often that we get asked on how they can help stop the removal of Capes Dam. For the removal to occur there are many other agencies that have to grant an approval for such permit application. Trying to ask council to reconsider is our primary goal but it is imperative to show the other agencies that there is support to restore the dam. Historical impacts to Hays County, safety for our youth and less experienced boaters, recreational access, endangered species, and acceptable access for the handicapped are all reasons that need to be considered to restoring Capes Dam.
Please take a moment and and notify the agencies that you like to take a stand on preserving Capes Dam. You are welcome to copy and paste any of the letters (or write your own) below and send to the agencies representative emails that is listed for each.
TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
PLEASE COPY THE TEXT BELOW IN BLUE, THEN EMAIL TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE.
Preservation Texas has placed Historic Texas Dams on their 2017 Most Endangered Places list. Capes Dam and the possible threat to other dams from the Fish Passage Project became the driving force behind raising awareness of the need to be proactive to save these significant sites in Texas history. When the Stokes family donated their property to the state, they expected the history of early settlers embodied in Capes Dam, the mill race, and the mill feature in Stokes Park to be preserved. We urge you to hear the many voices asking for the City of San Marcos to reconsider their unwise decision to have the dam removed. The historically significant engineering feat accomplished over 150 years ago needs to be kept in working order to provide a full bank of water in the Mill Race. This historic dam and its associated features deserve to become the 6th dam in Texas to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service formally determined the property “eligible for listing” in 1985 in the event that the property owners might change their minds in the future and consent to its listing. Please do everything you can to help preserve our history in Hays County.
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CITY OF SAN MARCOS
PLEASE COPY THE TEXT BELOW IN BLUE, THEN EMAIL TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE.
mayor_council_info@sanmarcostx.gov
Please reconsider your decision to demolish Capes Dam.
While some may believe it will eliminate the hazard of a deteriorating structure and possibly yield a small increase in endangered species habitat, it will most definitely result in the left river channel and Mill Race running dry. This could lead to huge taxpayers’ costs for mitigating the resulting new hazard of a deep, open channel with stagnant water that must be filled. It also raises the concern of how floodwater runoff, that currently goes through the left channel, might be accommodated if the channel is infilled. The alternative plan for removing the dam and dredging the left channel will entail costs to stabilize the banks and manage lower elevated depths of standing water that may match or exceed the cost of restoring the dam.
Removal of the dam also will result in: the loss of the Stokes Park waterfall and swimming hole; the destruction of safe navigation and upstream paddling around Thompsons Island for recreational users; the loss of significant historical river engineering features; the destruction of federally designated critical habitat, and; the disrespect for the Stokes family’s wishes in donating their land to the public.
Before moving forward with plans to destroy Capes Dam, please conduct a more thorough and thoughtful investigation of the costs and benefits of the restoration of this significant dam, in addition to seeking grant options to rebuild Capes Dam.
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TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT/US ARMY COPS/GENERAL LAND OFFICE/TCEQ
PLEASE COPY THE TEXT BELOW IN BLUE, THEN EMAIL TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE.
clayton.a.church@usace.army.mil
warren.samuelson@tceq.texas.gov
Please do not grant permits allowing the demolition of Capes Dam in the San Marcos River.
Removal of the dam will have terrible consequences for the game fish and the endangered fountain darter in the left channel of the river below the dam, while yielding little if any increase in habitat for endangered species.
It also will eliminate a safely navigable stretch of river for recreational use and disrespect the wishes of the family that donated the land for Stokes Park to TPWD for use and enjoyment by the public.
Furthermore, the recommendations for the dam removal and the permit requests are based on questionable data that should receive a much more thorough and impartial review before any action is authorized. Please see http://savethesmtxriver.org/links/request-full-nepa-eis-review-of-proposal-to-remove-capes-dam/ for more information.
Removal of the dam is a risky gamble and the only action with a certain outcome is the repair of Capes Dam to maintain a full bank of water flowing down the left channel.
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