A heated debate is unfolding in the Town of Cedarburg, where residents are standing up against a controversial proposal. The core issue? A family's desire to create a private pond, but at what cost to the community and the environment?
On December 17th, the town's Plan Commission will review a proposal for the sixth time, deciding whether to recommend a family's plan to divert water from Cedar Creek and a local well to fill a 13-acre artificial pond. But here's where it gets controversial: this isn't just any pond - it's a 'water-skiing lake' as some residents describe it, and they're not happy about it.
The Gauthier family, owners of Gauthier Biomedical, want to build this pond on their 132-acre property adjacent to Covered Bridge Park. To fill and maintain the pond, they plan to draw a significant amount of water from Cedar Creek and a local aquifer, raising concerns among residents about aquifer depletion, reduced creek flow during droughts, chemical contamination, and disruption to wetlands and wildlife. And this is the part most people miss: the project's private use of public resources.
The proposal has a long history, dating back to 2021 when it was first submitted to the Plan Commission. It was tabled then due to questions about its potential impact on neighboring wells, water supply, noise, and natural resource approvals. Four years later, the Gauthiers submitted a revised proposal, and the opposition has only grown stronger.
A coalition called Save Cedar Creek was formed, and they've been busy. They've placed flyers, created an online presence, raised funds for legal actions, and gathered over 2,800 signatures on a petition. They argue that the scale of water diversion is unjustified and could create problems for Cedar Creek and local wells. They want independent studies and stronger legal protections.
Kevin Cahill, a resident living near the proposed pond site, has been leading the opposition. He believes that diverting such a large amount of water from a public waterway and a well serving many households is unjust. "This river sometimes gets so low you can't even kayak on it. We've had issues with wells burning out during droughts, and we don't want to give up our water to a wealthy family for their private water-skiing lake."
Many residents, like Susan Knox, share concerns about the well's potential damage and the impact on other homeowners who rely on it. Some question the accuracy of the water use estimates provided by the family's engineering consultants, with calculations suggesting the project may require significantly more water than projected.
The Milwaukee Riverkeeper group has also raised red flags. Cheryl Nenn, a worker with the group, expressed concerns about the environmental impact on the creek and its wildlife, including endangered species. The group's letter to the Plan Commission questioned whether the town has the resources for adequate oversight and enforcement, especially considering the potential for chemical contamination from herbicides and boating contaminants.
The Gauthier family, however, maintains that they've been working diligently to ensure their proposal complies with regulations. They emphasize that the pond is for personal, not commercial, use and that they'll abide by noise ordinances. Their attorney, Richard Donner, stated that any commercial use would require additional zoning changes.
Donner also suggested that the pond could even improve the creek's flooding risks, and the family is willing to sign a long-term maintenance agreement with the town. But critics like Cahill argue that this agreement doesn't adequately protect town residents, especially those living near the property.
Addressing water withdrawal concerns, Michael Gauthier stated that their proposal would only draw around 0.5% of the common low flow of the creek. However, Milwaukee Riverkeeper's calculations based on 2024's low flow periods showed a different story, estimating the proposal would draw closer to 1.4% during low flow.
Amidst this debate, the town's Landmarks Commission has suggested granting historic designation status to Cedar Creek and the area around Covered Bridge and Kaehler’s Mill. This move, intended to protect the vital river and its history, has drawn a large attendance at commission meetings.
The permitting requirements are currently under review by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Ozaukee County. The DNR, which has jurisdiction over the creek, is still gathering information and has not yet received any applications for water withdrawal from the family. The county is also still in the information-gathering stage.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: this proposal has sparked a passionate community discussion about the balance between private interests and public resources, and the need for strong environmental protections. What do you think? Should private interests take precedence over public resources and environmental concerns? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
