Northampton Borough officials recently learned the historic, 100-foot long Atlas Dam will be soon demolished.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) did not afford borough council a chance to weigh in on the decision to demolish the dam, which spills into the Hokendauqua Creek.

The DEP granted a $420,900 grant to the Martins-Jacoby Watershed Association for the removal of the Atlas Dam.

Borough Manager Gene Zarayko and Councilman Ed Pany, local historian and curator of the Atlas Cement Memorial Museum, said they have no knowledge of the watershed. Zarayko confirmed the borough did not receive a letter, phone call or email regarding the proposed demolition of the dam from the state DEP or the watershed group.

While the borough this week will be scrambling for answers, Zarayko and Pany argue the dam should be preserved by the watershed association by way of "taxpayer's money."

Zarayko said the dam is owned by the Horvath family, who also owns a large serene wooded tract, located in the borough's industrial district. A generating company and other industries occupy buildings near the water site.

"It's sad, really sad. Disappointment are not the words to express my feelings," Pany said.

Pany was on council approximately a decade ago when an environmentalist appeared before borough lawmakers advocating for the destruction of the dam, which council said it could not support.

Zarayko said he does not know what avenues are available to the borough at the moment to stop the demolition. Borough officials are frustrated outside interests have been given a stronger voice in the destruction of the dam rather than community members.

The dam, Pany said, played a major role in the formation of the Atlas Cement Company, with the dam supplying electric power to the plant, the nation's largest cement manufacturing company.

"Look at the Hoover Dam and others, the importance they have, and they are not being demolished," Pany said. "It is a wildlife habitat, fish are in the waters, small game in its woods and birds in trees. I believe with the dam's destruction, there will be times the Hokendauqua Creek will be down to a trickle. What happens when it [creek] is dry?"

Pany said a youth group built a trail and environmental site on the grounds several years ago, next to the dam.

The borough's fire department cleared the dam at times of trees and shrubs.