Individuals with ancestral origins in South Whitehall Township asked commissioners to keep Wehr's Dam for its historical role in the community and for its aesthetically pleasing appearance.

At the July 16 meeting, William H. Wehr, 4635 Laurel Lane, Orefield, reported his grandfather ran a gristmill at the dam.

Although the mill was removed in 1951 because it was deteriorated, Wehr said it is important to keep the dam where people can go fishing, swimming, ice-skating and tubing.

He presented a petition with 190 signatures from South Whitehall and other areas, in favor of saving the dam.

Although commissioners have not voted to remove the dam, in February they approved the Covered Bridge Park Master Plan, which advocates its demise.

In June, commissioners approved a request from the Wildlands Conservancy to seek grant money for engineering, design,and permitting studies for restoration of the stream corridor and probable removal of the dam.

"We are conducting a campaign to save this dam," Wehr said. "Don't let the Wildlands Conservancy talk you into this."

Bob Schantz, 2209 Albright Ave., reported he is a descendent of the Guth family, some of the earliest settlers in the area.

"The dam is a historical structure," Schantz said. "People say the dam is an important part of the park system.

"Kids find the dam more intriguing and fascinating than the playground equipment."

Lori Wehr Young, whose great-grandfather ran the mill, spoke about the structure and its value to the park.

"The dam is part of the gem we have here in South Whitehall," Young said.

Michael Molovinsky, who reported he has 111 signatures in favor of saving Wehr's Dam, alleges removal of the Trout Nursery Dam was responsible for the recent fish kill at the hatchery.

"The Wildlands Conservancy is not infallible and neither is its science," Molovinsky said.