Dane County, DNR Partner to Purchase Flood-Ravaged Properties Along Fish Lake

September 22, 2010
Joshua Wescott, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 669-5606
County Executive

Five Homeowners to Share State, County Assistance for Buy-Outs

Five property owners along Fish Lake in northern Dane County have reached buy-out agreements with the county and will share a part of nearly $1.1 million in state and county assistance offered to help flood victims along the lake.

The completely voluntary buy-out was offered to property owners along Fish Lake Road and made possible by a $650,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and $362,000 from Dane County.  The county’s share of the financing and authorization of the first five buy-outs have been approved by the County Board and County Executive at a combined cost of $568,000.

“Thanks to a generous new grant from the DNR and new dollars from Dane County, five families along Fish Lake will no longer have to worry about floodwaters and the costly home repairs and health concerns they cause,” County Executive Kathleen Falk said. 

Several homes along Fish Lake are uninhabitable due to continued flooding and problems with mold.

Homes and garages on the properties being purchased will be taken down and Dane County and DNR staff will restore those areas, making them available for hiking, picnicking, swimming, and shore fishing.  New vegetation will be planted on those properties to help protect the shoreline that over the years has eroded away due to high water. 

Fish Lake is located in the Township of Roxbury and is one of the deepest lakes in the state of Wisconsin.  It’s a popular fishing spot and the Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan recommends acquisition of land around the lake to protect this recreation destination.

 

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